A Pataskala company began operations this week at what it calls one of the nation’s largest advanced solar panel manufacturing facilities.

Illuminate USA said its new 1.1 million-square-foot, 1,000-employee facility started rolling American-made solar panels off the assembly line this week.

Based in Pataskala, Illuminate USA said the facility will produce more than 9.2 million advanced solar panels annually at full capacity by the end of the year.

That facility has been staffed with over 400 workers through partnerships with local jobs programs.

“We are proud to see American-made solar panels roll off the line at Illuminate USA, and I applaud the entire team on this significant milestone for advanced manufacturing in the United States,” said Jim Murphy, President and Corporate Business Leader at Invenergy and Chairman of Board of Directors at Illuminate USA.

Pataskala’s mayor Mike Compton said he hopes his city will be known as a hub for solar manufacturing in the U.S.

Original article: abc6onyourside.com