Hemlock Clarksville and a similar plant that Wacker Chemie AG is building near Cleveland, Tenn., are supposed to be the first steps toward the development of a vibrant solar industry in Tennessee, one in which solar panels and all of their components could be made within the state, reports Chas Sisk.
But the odds that will happen in the near future are slim, despite the tens of millions the state has committed toward the solar industry’s success.
…This year, three major solar panel makers have gone out of business, including California-based Solyndra, which is now under investigation after receiving more than $500 million in federal loan guarantees. Surviving companies have scrapped plans or merged with others.
Tennessee has not been safe from the volatility. Confluence Solar, a Missouri-based solar company that was supposed to be setting up the state’s third major silicon plant, was bought last month. Its new owner has already said it will not be opening a facility in Tennessee.
Bredesen had trumpeted the Confluence deal as evidence the Hemlock and Wacker deals were laying the groundwork for Tennessee’s future. Now, the Haslam administration will say only that it believes solar will play some role in the state’s economy, alongside more traditional industries.
“Our philosophy is all about creating a great business climate for every business,” state Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. ” ‘Optimistic’ is the word that we have right now (for the solar industry).”
..Exactly how much Tennessee has committed to solar is difficult to quantify. Earlier this month, the State Building Commission approved $36.1 million in bonds and cash for construction of Wacker’s Cleveland facility, but that represents only a sliver of the state’s total commitment.
After analyzing agreements with Wacker and Hemlock, the Nashville Business Journal last month estimated the state’s current and future commitments to both projects to be $328 million, a figure that an ECD spokesman could not confirm.