Solar business from Korea

With the start of actual construction of Hemlock Semiconductor’s new polysilicon plant, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the largest polysilicon producer in the world has revealed both the initial production capacity of the plant as well as its future capacity capability. Initial cost of the plant was said to be US$1.2 billion and will employ approximately 500 workers when ramped. Hemlock has announced investments totalling more than US$4 billion for expanding polysilicon production over the last few years in a drive that is expected to keep the company in its leadership position. Hemlock had announced plans for the Clarksville plant earlier this year, yet had not disclosed the planned capacity targets. Perhaps this was due to the rapidly declining spot market (though Hemlock sells under long-term contracts), as significant capacity from both traditional polysilicon producers and a wave of new entrants brought capacity online. However, the new plant will have an initial capacity of g...