Sun Fuels Jobs In Norcross

Though you might not be able to tell from the crazy cold weather of late, the sun is working overtime in Norcross. Suniva Inc. now manufactures high-efficiency solar cells here using low-cost techniques, attempting to make solar-generated electricity cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

"When we learned that a corporation like Suniva was searching for both their corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant location, we became very assertive with our efforts," said Partnership Gwinnett Vice President Mark Nisano.

Nisano explained Suniva zeroed in on Georgia then the Atlanta area, thanks to the Quick Start training program and tax incentives. Norcross's Gwinnett Technology Park competed with other locations in Gwinnett and four other counties to win out the corporation. Gwinnett County Commissioners, the Gwinnett County School Board and the City of Norcross awarded up to $5 million in property taxes breaks, playing a major role in landing Suniva's million-dollar tech plant in Norcross.

"Clean, high-tech companies will locate around the community due to the success and location of Suniva," said Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson, "though the biggest benefit is the number of quality jobs they are creating, especially in this economy."

In July, Suniva Chairman and CEO John Baumstark announced in a press release that he would hire additional employees to "help the U.S. lead the new clean-energy economy." Suniva has created 150 jobs in Norcross and now has three production lines to meet increasing worldwide demand.

The corporation has been garnering its share of attention for the area lately.  It was a participant in the recent U.S.–India Innovation Roundtable led by President Obama. In November, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke appointed Suniva's Chief Marketing Officer Bryan Ashley to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee. And on Dec. 3, Suniva received the Commercial Technology of the Year honor at the 2010 Platts Global Energy Awards.