People are hoping to benefit from the clean energy agenda of President-elect Barack Obama.

It was raining outside, but Gov. Sonny Perdue used the formal opening of the state’s only solar power cell manufacturing plant Thursday to forecast good things for Georgia’s effort to become a center for clean energy.

“Folks, this is a big deal,” Perdue told the crowd gathered in Norcross for Suniva’s formal plant opening. The plant actually started production in October.

The company uses technology produced by a Georgia Tech scientist to create solar cells that Suniva officials say soak up the sun’s energy more efficiently and at lower cost than many other competing products. The cells made by Suniva go into solar-powered products manufactured by other companies.

The company says it has $1 billion in sales agreements with overseas solar module manufacturers. CEO John Baumstark said Thursday the company was in discussions with a U.S. company and hopes to have an announcement of a deal soon.

Suniva is also hoping to benefit from the clean energy agenda of President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama has said finding ways to expand the country’s alternative energy industry is one way he hopes to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, create jobs and lift the economy.

Even before Obama was elected, state officials wanted to capture a portion of the projected 440,000 new jobs and $325 billion in investments the solar field is expected to create in the next eight years, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group.

Suniva received millions of dollars in tax incentives from the state, Gwinnett County and the city of Norcross to locate its plant and the 100 jobs it expects to create by the end of 2009. Another expansion in 2010 is expected to bring more jobs, Baumstark said.

Soon, technicians will be working around the clock every day of the year making solar cells at the plant, said Stephen Shea, vice president of manufacturing.

Ajeet Rohatgi, Suniva’s founder and the Georgia Tech professor who created the technology, said he’s been moved by the experience of creating the company.

Having grown up in India and seen the consequences of a lack of electricity, Rohatgi said he’s dedicated his life to making solar a viable alternative to conventionally produced power.

“Suniva’s a dream come true for me,” he said.

 
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