Solar panel production is going big in Mountain Iron.
Heliene, Inc. s solar panel manufacturing plant in the city s Renewable Energy Park will become the second largest solar photovoltaic module producer in the nation under a $5.5 million appropriation signed into law by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
âThis is important for the growth (of solar power),â Martin Pochtaruk, Heliene, Inc., president said. âThe demand for the product we make will continue to increase. The electrification of power generation in the United States is not going to stop.â
The $5.5 million grant will help fund a $29 million expansion of the solar plant.
Language approving the funding is part of the Minnesota Legislature Omnibus Commerce, Climate & Energy Finance & Policy bill.
Minnesota legislators agree on first major energy bill in years The new energy conservation act would help low-income households upgrade appliances, utilities fund alternative energy and companies make clean energy products. May 18, 2021 5:44pm Text size Copy shortlink:
The Minnesota House and Senate agreed this week on expanding the state s energy conservation program, the most significant energy legislation in recent years.
The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act should increase spending by utilities on conservation programs, particularly to low-income households. Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign the legislation. It s possibly the biggest piece of energy legislation we have passed in several years, said Rep. Jamie Long, DFL head of the House Committee on Climate and Energy Finance and Policy. This will be really meaningful.
MOUNTAIN IRON â A proposed expansion of Heliene, Inc. s solar panel manufacturing plant in Mountain Iron is getting some sunshine at the Minnesota Legislature.
An expansion of up to $10 million would add a new 40,000 square-foot solar panel production line and 30,000 square-feet of warehouse space, according to Martin Pochtaruk, Heliene, Inc., president.
âWe are out of space,â Pochtaruk said. âWe have no space in the building and no warehousing space.â
Heliene is the only solar panel manufacturer in Minnesota.
The plant s 75 employees are currently manufacturing 1,000 to 1,100 solar photovoltaic modules per day.
A second production line would manufacture an additional 2,500 modules per day and create 25 to 30 new jobs, Pochtaruk said.