The city of Jackson announced today that China-based Seraphim Solar, a solar module assembly company, is planning to build a manufacturing plant in Jackson in the commercial district just west of Fondren near the railroad tracks. The plant is expected to represent a $50 million investment and 250 jobs during its first five years. The modules it build are used in residential rooftop solar installations.
According to the company’s website, Seraphim expects the plant to be operational in August 2015, while the city’s release says “by the end of 2015.”
The Seraphim Solar website was decorated with an American flag and the words Opening Soon, suggesting that the Jackson plant will be their first foray into U.S. manufacturing.
Here’s the verbatim release from the City:
Seraphim Solar Manufacturing USA Inc. has announced plans to construct a solar module assembly plant in Jackson that is expected to create 250 jobs during the first five years of operation.
The project represents a $50 million investment with an anticipated annual payroll of up to $7.3 million.
With the addition of this Made in the USA facility, Seraphim’s global expansion will have reached 1.2 gigawatt of capacity worldwide, company officials said.
“We are extremely excited about successfully recruiting Seraphim Solar to our city,” said Mayor Tony T. Yarber. “We’re partnering with a company that will provide innovative solutions that will lead and model how the country consumes energy.”
The Mayor said he was appreciative of the assistance being provided by the Mississippi Development Authority to help recruit Seraphim.
Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015. Phase 2 of the project will begin in 2016.
The jobs created will range from high-level management to administrative and line worker positions. The project will offer on the job training and benefits for employees. The company plans to partner with the City of Jackson’s Jobs for Jacksonians program to recruit qualified individuals and construction firms to meet the company’s needs.
“Seraphim Solar shares our passion for building capacity in this city by ensuring Jackson residents have solid employment opportunities,” Yarber said. “This partnership brokered by the city’s Economic Development division is a true win for Jackson.”
The project will be located at 3111 Lawson St. It represents the redevelopment of an underused property and will provide much-needed road and rail improvements for the area.
The company is known for its high-quality modules, having been the first module manufacturer to pass TÜV SÜD’s ‘Thresher’ test, which was created to provide better understanding and insight into the longer-term reliability and power output performance of modules, compared to standard tests such as IEC61215.
Seraphim provides both high-efficiency monocrystalline modules and standard high-specification multicrystalline modules, including black aesthetic and compatible with microinverters, widely used in the U.S. residential rooftop market.
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
