Maxeon factory the result of a true public-private partnership

BY DALE R. DEKKER

FOUNDING PRINCIPAL OF DEKKER/PERICH/SABATINI

Recently there was an announcement of a game-changing economic development “win” for the Albuquerque region and for New Mexico’s economic future.

Maxeon Solar Technologies announced the selection of a 160-acre site in Mesa del Sol to build a 1.9 million square foot manufacturing facility for the manufacture of silicon solar cells and modular solar panels.

The factory will cost nearly $1 billion to construct and will produce 8 million solar panels per year. When completed, 1,800 high-paying jobs will be created by Maxeon. Add in the suppliers that will provide products and services that will support the Maxeon plant, and several thousand additional jobs will be added to our Metro region.

The decision by Maxeon to locate operations in New Mexico has put our state on an international “radar screen” for site selectors and companies that are reshoring manufacturing operations from foreign countries back to the U.S. or considering onshoring of existing U.S. manufacturing through expansion/relocation of operations already in the U.S.

Maxeon might be the “first mover” in renewable energy manufacturing for our state, but there will be many more opportunities for renewable energy manufacturers to consider locating in New Mexico. A report released by NREL, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in the spring of 2023 reported that solar module manufacturers from India are “reportedly considering U.S. module plants to benefit from IRA incentives.”

The IRA is the Inflation Reduction Act that provides federal income tax credits for components of renewable energy installations, such as solar panels, that are made and manufactured in the U.S.

In listening to the announcement of Maxeon’s decision to locate and invest in New Mexico, it was apparent that there were seven key factors that cemented Maxeon’s decision to locate and invest in New Mexico: 1. Leadership: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Mayor Tim Keller, Bernalillo County’s manager, Julie Morgas-Baca, and Steve Chavez of Mesa del Sol worked together to achieve a common goal that would benefit all New Mexicans.

2. Urgency: Maxeon had a tight time frame that required all public and private entities to collaborate and work alongside each other during Maxeon’s due diligence phase, which was facilitated by Mark Roper of the state’s Economic Development Department.

3. Available site: A properly zoned and engineered 160-acre site at Mesa del Sol that met the size and development time frame requirements of Maxeon.

4. Alignment: Maxeon provides green jobs that are consistent with the state’s economic development goals and supportive of New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act.

5. Incentives: Federal incentives included in the IRA and the IIJA, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as state and local incentives.

6. Proven workforce training and development: as provided by CNM and the UNM School of Engineering.

7. A true public-private partnership committed to continuing to work cooperatively through all aspects of the project, from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting.

These factors are the mindset and “can-do attitude” that will facilitate our state building a 21st century economy. The leadership of New Mexico’s public and private sectors must be prepared to bring their A Game and willingness to cooperate each time companies consider New Mexico as a place to expand their current operations and in attracting new companies looking to build, invest and create 21st century jobs and opportunities for all New Mexicans to thrive.

Now the hard work begins. Time to roll up our collective sleeves so that New Mexico can prove to the world that our state can deliver and has made the commitment to invest in a 21st century economy that will diversify our state’s economy. Congratulations to all involved.

Dale Dekker is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

A rendering of Maxeon Solar Technologies’ new manufacturing site at Mesa Del Sol. Economic development officials say the billion-dollar solar cell factory is a result of an extensive public-private partnership.

COURTESY OF MAXEON SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES

Maxeon Solar Technologies CEO Bill Mulligan discusses the company’s planned $1 billion investment in a manufacturing facility at Mesa del Sol during a press conference with the governor and other public officials on Aug. 11.