The CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor Group wants an expansion of federal subsidies for the solar industry. Rick Doornbos spoke to Tennessee economic development officials Monday.
Even with its growing popularity, solar power still isn’t competitive with fossil fuels as a power source. But Rick Doornbos says solar will reach viability more quickly if caps are removed on current federal tax credits.
“Most experts are predicting that within the next three to five years, solar will be competitive in many parts of the world without any government subsidies at all, and that’s called grid parity.”
When government money is no longer needed, Doornbos says most new power generation likely will come from solar, which he believes will be good for Tennessee. Hemlock is building a billion dollar facility in Clarksville. The plant, when it’s up and running, will produce enough polycrystalline silicon each year to power one million homes.
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