Solar firm to build a factory and create jobs after RGF funding

A BIRMINGHAM manufacturer has been awarded £5m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to build solar PV panels.

Winson Green-based Sunsolar says it will be the only solar panel manufacturer in the UK and it plans to build a new factory in Oldbury for the purpose. It suggests as many as 565 new jobs could be created over the next five years.

Business manager Rob Grant is confident the contract will have a significant impact on business growth in the region and beyond.

“To be able to create a factory environment that will not only employ local suppliers to work with, but create new jobs and offer viable and inexpensive energy sources to the UK, is something we’re extremely excited about,” he said.

“And to achieve government funding is a true testament to the successful business model we have at Sunsolar and I can’t wait to get the ball rolling.”

The Regional Growth Fund is a £2.4bn fund to which businesses across England can apply for grants and loans to support projects and programmes that create economic growth and sustainable employment.

Its award to Sunsolar was first announced – in general terms – last November when the second round of successful bids to the Regional Growth Fund were unveiled.