Silicon Border Development’s Science Park to House Major Expansion for
Q-Cells – Largest Manufacturer of Solar Cell Technology
$3.7B Company Complex to be in 10,000 Acre, World-Class
Science and Technology Park Located on U.S.-Mexican Border

 

SAN DIEGO – May 15, 2008 – Silicon Border Development’s Science Park, located in Mexicali, the capital city of Baja California, Mexico, has been chosen by Q-Cells, the world’s largest independent solar cell manufacturer, for its next major expansion.

 

Established in 2001 by semiconductor industry executives, the Science Park is a 10,000-acre, world-class science and technology based industrial park that supports leading-edge manufacturing and research facilities owned by major technology groups across the globe. Due to its location on the U.S. and Mexico border, the Park, owned and operated by Silicon Border Development, allows manufacturers to cost-effectively compete with operations anywhere in the world.

 

Q-Cells’ primary manufacturing facility is located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. The company chose Silicon Border Development’s Science Park as its second manufacturing site, in part, for its strategic location, as well as its business-friendly environment.

 

The Park is nestled along the U.S. and Mexican border and provides easy access to all of the top technology hubs within the U.S. It is two hours east of San Diego; a three-hour drive to both Los Angeles and Phoenix; and a two-hour flight to Dallas and Austin. Its proximity also makes it easy to target the world’s largest consumer of electronic and solar products – the U.S. market.

 

“Our goal was to allow for a strategic alternative for cost-effective and centralized semiconductor operations in North America,” said D.J. Hill, president and CEO of Silicon Border Development. “We have been working for nearly two years to bring advanced manufacturing back to this region, and with the upcoming expansion from Q-Cells, this initiative is now becoming a reality.”

 

Over the past 18 months, Silicon Border Development successfully completed the privatization process, as well as the prerequisites required for construction permit approvals – all of which had to be in place before any building could begin. The company entered into a financial partnership with ING Clarion to fund the construction of the science park, and partnered with Grupo Maiz to work on all of the infrastructure build-out. “This process typically takes about two years to complete,” Hill added, “and Silicon Border is on track.”

 

The Park’s strategic location will allow Q-Cells to have excellent, business flexibility for its global operations. Mexico has free trade agreements with 43 countries worldwide, including the U.S., and offers tax and financial incentive packages that are equal to, if not better than, most any place in the world. The presence of Q-Cells within the Park is also a benefit for Mexico. It is an important first step in the country’s goal of developing the solar industry as a key sector for its economy, and assists them in becoming a major participant in providing alternative energy resources.

GOOD PLACE FOR ADDITIONAL QUOTE

 

Q-Cells’ manufacturing complex will be comprised of four separate facilities, and will be developed in phases, with construction of the first phase beginning in the second quarter of 2008. It will be ready for equipment installation during the fourth quarter of this year. Once built, facility and plant investments are expected to reach $3.7 billion, and the site will employ approximately 3,500 people. The overall size of the site will be between 60 and 100 hectares

 

Guided by U.S. industry and Mexican economic leaders, Silicon Border is a cost-effective, manufacturing alternative in North America for the world’s most advanced technologies, such as semiconductor, solar cell, telecommunications and flat-panel display manufacturers. It provides 10,000 acres of available business space and a world-class, industrial infrastructure. The Science Park is in close proximity to three major area universities, and will be home to the State University’s campus of engineering.

Silicon Border is currently in discussion with a number of additional companies looking to grow their global operations.