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<\/a>\nSuniva’s\n<\/a>\nSuniva’s\n\nsecond solar PV manufacturing plant that Georgia couldn’t keep<\/a>\nwent to Saginaw, Michigan,\n\nwhere the editorial board of The Saginaw News lists it as\njust one bullet item:<\/a>\n\n• Georgia-based solar panel maker Suniva is well along in its federal loan guarantee application so it can build a plant in Saginaw County.\n<\/blockquote>\nSo what is the big news that they’re editorializing about?\n\nThe Solar Valley is starting to snowball.\n\nAmid the campaigning and squabbling on the Friday before last week\u2019s\nstatewide election were two electric announcements promising a big buzz\nfor our region\u2019s future.\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
\nOne, a $6-million Michigan Strategic Fund grant, boosts the prospects\nfor a $116.5 million Solar Valley Research Enterprise.\n\nThe other was a really big thing \u2014 the unveiling in Buena Vista Township\nof a 150-ton, utility-scale wind turbine made by Merrill Technologies\nGroup entirely of Michigan-made components.\n<\/blockquote>\nThe big news is that they have an economic plan for their region\nto build real clean energy,\n
\nAnd they’re not just talking about it.\n
\nThese weren\u2019t just breathless, hopeful prospects for the future of a\nnew and growing industry in the Great Lakes Bay Region. They\u2019re proof\nof the prominence we\u2019ve gained in the emerging field of solar energy,\nespecially, but also in other electrifying endeavors.\n\nAt Merrill Technologies, the wind turbine that will eventually stand\noutside Cadillac to provide enough power for 250 homes, is proof that\nwe can finesse our heavy industry background into alternative energy\nproducts for this new century.\n
\nEventually, we see no reason why giant wind turbines made here could\nbecome known as the best in the world. And then shipped across the globe\nand to other parts of the nation from docks along the Saginaw River,\nor on the railroads that tie Michigan to the continent.\n
\nThey\u2019ll compete against wind turbines that now are made overseas.\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nWhat’s our plan here in Lowndes County and South Georgia?\n
\nIf we don’t have one now, how about we make one; they did:\n
\nA year or two ago, we said imagine that; now, we can say it is possible.\n\nA little less tangible than a wind turbine you can touch, but nonetheless\njust as important, the Michigan Strategic Fund grant awarded Oct. 29\npushed a ball called the Solar Valley Research Enterprise a bit farther\ndown the road to realization. The venture is a collaboration of Dow\nCorning Corp., Hemlock Semiconductor Group and the Oak Ridge National\nLab. The $6-million grant depends upon a $47.5-million grant from the\nU.S. Department of Energy to build one of two Research Enterprise hubs\nnear Midland \u2014 the other near Toledo, Ohio.\n
\nThe intent is to coordinate various solar energy enterprises with\nresearch, and come up with technology and products that can compete\nfavorably with other energy sources.\n
\nWhy build a solar enterprise hub here?\n
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<\/a>\nThe Saginaw News goes on to list as likely incoming businesses\na solar shingle plant with 1,200 employees,\na battery plant with 800 jobs,\na silicon plant with 300 more jobs (above 1,000 already working),\nsome others, and yes, Suniva with its 500 jobs.\n