Solar Usage Now expanding in Hamilton

Solar company expanding in Hamilton

Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 11:00 pm | Updated: 7:35 am, Mon Dec 1, 2014.

KPC News Service

HAMILTON — A solar energy company that acquired a building in Hamilton in July 2011 announced plans to expand the production at the facility in early 2015, the Steuben County Economic Development Corp. announced Wednesday.

Solar Usage Now (SUN) has used the 22,500 square-foot facility in Hamilton for production, sales and installation of its SUN Equinox solar hot water system since 2011.

SUN, in partnership with JMG Solar, have acquired and are in the process of installing photovoltaic manufacturing equipment in the Hamilton facility. JMG Solar’s founder and president, Joe Garton, has 28 years of manufacturing experience, including seven years of experience in building and operating solar manufacturing plants in U.S. and China

“We came across a rare opportunity to acquire like-new equipment at discounted pricing, and the opportunity was too good to pass up. We have been wanting to expand into PV manufacturing and this is was our opportunity,” said Thomas Blake, president of Solar Usage Now.

The equipment was acquired from the East Coast and arrived at Hamilton earlier this month. Blake hopes to be in production by January.

The company is currently working on several large institutional and utility-scale photovoltaic generating systems. Blake estimates the investment for equipment and set up to be in the $300,000-$350,000 range. Once the equipment is set up, employment at the Hamilton facility could reach 18 to 20 people. The company will be working with Northeast Indiana Works to find qualified employees.

“We’re happy to have SUN in Hamilton.” stated Brent Shull, Hamilton town manager. “They are a good corporate citizen and Thom is willing to take chances to reach his goals. We wish them the absolute best in this new venture.”

Hamilton is a small, lake community with a year-around population of approximately 1500, straddling the Steuben-DeKalb county line, in northeast Indiana.