Taxpayers footing $11M bill for Chinese solar shell company’s move to NM

Ebon Solar, along with state officials, announced plans on Wednesday for an enormous 834,000-square-foot solar cell manufacturing facility at Mesa del Sol in Bernalillo County. Maxeon Solar Technologies intends to build its own massive manufacturing site at this location, which is already home to Netflix’s West Coast production hub.

Despite being marketed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office as having ties to Delaware, Ebon Solar’s parent company, Ebang International Holdings, is based in Hangzhou, communist China. The company, which recently registered the trademark “Ebon Solar” on July 12, claims it plans to invest $942 million into the new facility.

Judy Cai, CEO of Ebon Solar, stated, “Our choice of Albuquerque for our investment aligns with our commitment to sustainable innovation, and New Mexico offers abundant solar resources, favorable renewable energy policies, and a dedicated, skilled workforce.” She emphasized that these factors would enhance Ebon Solar’s capital investment and production capabilities, making Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and the state of New Mexico ideal partners as they integrate into the so-called clean energy market.

The planned expansion at Mesa del Sol follows a similar announcement from Maxeon Solar Technologies last year. The Singapore-based company plans to build a 1.9 million-square-foot plant in the same community, expected to create 1,800 jobs at full capacity.

Ebon Solar’s proposed facility at Mesa del Sol signifies a significant victory for New Mexico, which has been actively promoting advanced solar expansions under the Lujan Grisham regime. In addition to Ebon and Maxeon, Albuquerque-based Array Technologies Inc. committed more than $50 million to a new campus.

However, the expansion of Ebon Solar to New Mexico comes with significant financial implications for taxpayers. The state, city, and county are expected to provide substantial investments and tax breaks to the company. Mark Roper, interim secretary for the New Mexico Economic Development Department, mentioned that the state is proposing $10 million in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds, while the city of Albuquerque plans to contribute another $1 million. Therefore, taxpayers will be directly funding at least $11 million to communist China.

“I would expect to see some activity on that in August,” Roper said.

Marcos Gonzales, economic development director for Bernalillo County, indicated that the county’s role would involve managing Ebon’s industrial revenue bond (IRB) application, which typically provides tax breaks for expanding companies. He explained that the IRB application would be introduced at a Bernalillo County Commission meeting next week.

“The fundamental piece is they convey the property to the county, and then we lease it back to them for the term of the IRB,” Gonzales said. “So in this case, like 30 years, and then at the end of it, we give it back to the property owner, and then they start paying property taxes. So, it’s the leaseback structure that creates the savings for the company.”

The announcement of Ebon Solar’s expansion was the result of a concerted effort by private and public officials, including the New Mexico Partnership and the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, which served as a project management partner during Ebon’s market evaluation process.

Governor Lujan Grisham, currently on a 10-day trip to India focusing on economic development and education, praised the expansion in a statement, saying, “We have succeeded in making New Mexico a global center for advanced energy manufacturing. Ebon Solar joins other leading companies in embracing New Mexico’s commitment to renewable energy, its talented, dedicated workforce, and the opportunities we provide for job training and tuition-free college. All this works together to diversify the economy and create high-paying jobs for New Mexico’s families.”

Lujan Grisham traveled to communist China during her time in Congress and during her gubernatorial administration and met with communist Chinese Consul General Zhang Ping, being a very close ally to the regime, as evidenced by these deals enriching the oppressive enemy of the United States.