Peach Tree Times

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced that SOLARCYCLE, an advanced technology-based solar recycling company, will be investing an estimated $344 million in a solar glass manufacturing facility in Cedartown, Polk County. This facility will be the first of its kind in the United States, using recycled materials from retired solar panels to create new solar glass.

Governor Kemp expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "SOLARCYCLE's first-of-its-kind facility is a transformational investment for the Polk County community and will help drive its economy for years to come. In Georgia, our strong energy mix is one of the key reasons our state has attracted generational investments in recent years. We will keep working to secure our power supply through exciting projects like this one."

SOLARCYCLE is already operating two solar panel recycling facilities in the US and their advanced technology allows them to extract up to 95% of the value from used solar panels. With their new facility in Georgia, they will become one of the first manufacturers of specialized glass for crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics in the US. The plant will have the capacity to produce five to six gigawatts worth of solar glass every year, which will be sold directly back to domestic solar manufacturers, filling a critical gap in the country's supply chain for solar panels.

Suvi Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder of SOLARCYCLE, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "There is no question that solar panel manufacturing is booming in the State of Georgia. We are thrilled to join the team and build our recycled solar glass plant in Cedartown, which will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to Georgia and help the industry in its goals to build fully American-made clean energy solutions. We look forward to continued collaboration with the State of Georgia and the City of Cedartown."

The new manufacturing facility will be located at Cedartown North Business Park and is scheduled to start construction in 2024, with operations commencing in 2026. The plant will create over 600 full-time jobs in various fields such as manufacturing, engineering, management, research and design, and support staff.

Jamie Morris, Chair of the Development Authority of Polk County and Cedartown Development Authority, expressed their excitement about welcoming SOLARCYCLE to the community, stating, "Today is the result of progressive planning and collaborative efforts between Polk County Government, the City of Cedartown, and their Board of Commissioners to provide a pro-business community. SOLARCYCLE will make a positive economic impact in the community that will provide quality jobs and strengthen opportunities in housing and retail development that will help nurture a healthy and thriving community."

The project was made possible through collaboration between various organizations including the Development Authority of Polk County, Cedartown Development Authority, Georgia Power, the Georgia Center of Innovation, and Georgia Quick Start. Senior Project Manager Mellissa Takeuchi represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Global Commerce team in this competitive project.

Commissioner Pat Wilson highlighted the business-friendly environment and collaborative approach to economic development in Georgia, stating, "What sets Georgia apart from its competitors is our business-friendly environment, collaborative approach to economic development, and decades of forward-thinking state leadership. The Georgia Center of Innovation reflects these qualities in its work to connect Georgia businesses with the resources and partners to overcome challenges, and in bringing together the right partners to build new industries, including clean tech."

Georgia has been ranked as a Top Ten state for installed solar, with solar photovoltaic being the fastest-growing source of energy in the state. The investment in SOLARCYCLE's facility will further accelerate the development of renewable energy products and strengthen Georgia's position in the clean energy sector.

SOLARCYCLE is a technology-driven platform that focuses on solar sustainability by offering a comprehensive process for recycling retiring solar panels and repurposing them for new uses. The company's proprietary technology allows them to extract 95% of the value from a solar panel's materials and repurpose them. Founded in 2022, SOLARCYCLE aims to accelerate the circular economy for solar and renewables.

For more information on the progress and updates of the Cedartown plant, visit www.solarcycle.us/careers.