DENVER & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vikram Solar, Phalanx Impact Partners, and Das & Co. today announced they have formed a new U.S. joint venture and majority U.S.-owned and operated company – VSK Energy LLC ("VSK") – with plans to invest up to $1.5 billion to develop a vertically integrated solar manufacturing operation in the United States. With two planned projects, VSK extends Vikram Solar's 17 years of solar manufacturing experience to the United States with financial support from sustainability-focused private equity firm Phalanx Impact Partners and Das & Co.’s extensive network and expertise in the solar industry in the United States, India, and emerging markets.
As part of its planned investment, VSK Energy is highly committed to developing a resilient American solar panel and equipment supply chain and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers who currently dominate the solar market.
The first phase of the investment consists of a $250 million investment to develop an American solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing facility in a recently completed building at 76 Commerce Center in Brighton, Colorado, which is owned by Mortenson Properties and Hyde Development. The new factory is expected to create over 900 direct jobs with an average salary of more than $70,000 and over 200 construction jobs. VSK Energy expects the facility to commence operations in 2024 with an initial capacity of 2 Gigawatts (GW) in solar PV modules and planned expansion of up to 4 GW.
“Colorado is one of the top states in the country for solar production so this expansion in Brighton will help build upon our plans to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2040, create more than 900 new good-paying jobs for Coloradans and contribute to our state’s thriving economy. More and more companies are flocking to Colorado because we are the best place to live and do business, so we are thrilled to welcome VSK to Colorado,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“Cleantech in Colorado contributes $4.6 billion per year to the state’s economy and employs over 62,000 Colorado workers. By establishing a new solar manufacturing facility in Brighton, VSK will grow this important employment sector and help further Colorado’s commitment to grow clean energy technologies,” said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).
The planned second phase of investment would complete VSK's vertical integration of the solar manufacturing process with the development of a factory in a Southern U.S. state to produce solar ingots, cells, and wafers with a planned annual capacity of 4 GW. VSK Energy intends to invest up to $1.25 billion in the new factory which is expected to commence operations in 2025 following the evaluation and finalization of available federal, state, regional, and local incentives for the project. The new factory is expected to create over 1,500 direct jobs and over 1,000 construction jobs.
Mortenson, a leading solar engineering, procurement, construction, and commercial contracting firm, will oversee the engineering and construction of both phases of VSK Energy's planned investment. Mortenson has nearly 70 years of experience building large, complex facilities and has been a national leader in the renewable energy space for over 25 years. The company has over 13 years of solar energy construction experience and has installed solar projects across 17 states in the United States, providing more than 9 GWs of generation. To construct both phases of VSK Energy's planned investment, Mortenson intends to hire hundreds of team members from the local communities involved in the project, including pipefitters, electricians, sheet metal workers, plumbers, operators, carpenters, laborers, safety professionals, and more.
"Mortenson is thrilled and honored to spearhead the design and construction of this ambitious and transformative project for VSK Energy," said Brad Heitland, Director of Business Development for Mortenson. "This project represents a remarkable feat of engineering, construction, and a collaborative effort from several organizations across the private and public sectors around the world. It symbolizes a collective dedication to a clean energy future, and as a leader in renewable energy infrastructure engineering, procurement, and construction, Mortenson is ready to leverage our extensive expertise to further grow and strengthen America's position in solar manufacturing."
"Vikram Solar is proud to be part of this monumental endeavor with the rest of the VSK team," said Gyanesh Chaudhary, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of Vikram Solar. "With our 17 years of experience in solar manufacturing, combined with the VSK team's commitment to a clean energy future, we look forward to driving the solar industry forward and setting a new benchmark for innovation and efficiency in solar manufacturing in the United States."
"The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act was a landmark moment for the clean energy future of the United States," said Sriram Das, Co-Chairman of VSK Energy and Managing Director of Das & Co. "The Biden Administration and Congress have called for immediate action and through our partnership in VSK, we are taking a decisive step towards achieving solar technology self-sufficiency, fortifying America's energy security, and propelling large-scale solar deployment. I am also particularly proud to bring together leaders from both the United States and India to make this investment and commitment to America's clean energy future."
Doug Bennett, Partner and Co-Founder of Phalanx Impact Partners, commented, "The VSK partnership embodies the Phalanx commitment to promoting increased U.S. green energy independence. By establishing a vertically integrated solar panel manufacturing operation to produce American-made solar equipment, we are accelerating the energy transition in the United States, reducing foreign dependency and creating lasting value for both our investors and the planet."
Alex Hung, Partner and Co-Founder of Phalanx Impact Partners, added, "This investment is more than a financial commitment; it's a testament to our belief in the transformative power of sustainable technologies and the solar industry. With this VSK project, we are not only helping to shape the clean energy future of the United States but also positively influencing the communities where these facilities will operate."
Law firms Dentons represented Vikram Solar, McDermott Will & Emery represented Phalanx Impact Partners, and Reed Smith represented Das & Co. with the Joint Venture formation for this transaction.
For more information on VSK, please visit phalanximpact.com or contact inquiries@phalanximpact.com.
About VSK Energy
VSK Energy is a groundbreaking joint venture formed by the collaboration of Vikram Solar, Phalanx Impact Partners, and Das & Co. to develop a vertically integrated solar manufacturing operation in the United States. VSK Energy's vision is fueled by Vikram's extensive experience as a leading solar energy solutions provider with a global presence, Phalanx Impact Partners' collective decades of experience in raising and allocating capital to projects in the renewables, infrastructure, and real estate sectors, and Das & Co.'s broad network and expertise in the solar industry in the United States, India, and emerging markets.
About Vikram Solar
Vikram Solar Limited is one of the largest solar energy solutions providers, specializing in efficient photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing and comprehensive EPC solutions, with an international presence across 32 countries, portfolio of 1.42 GW EPC projects (commissioned + under execution), and close to 2,000 employees. Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, it is one of the largest PV module manufacturers in India with cumulative production capacity of capacity of 3.5 GW. Vikram Solar is a 'Top Performer' in PVEL's PV module reliability scorecard and has been included in the Tier 1 solar PV modules manufacturer list of Bloomberg NEF. Vikram Solar deploys technology to design, install and commission solar projects. The company has a distribution network connecting more than 40 cities, ensuring the availability of solar products and solutions across 600+ locations in India. Website: vikramsolar.com.
About Phalanx Impact Partners
Phalanx Impact Partners is a New York-based private equity firm that is committed to driving positive change in sustainable industries by investing in early to growth-stage companies. The firm's portfolio includes pioneering companies leading in the respective impact-focused fields of domestic renewable energy infrastructure, waste-to-value technologies, plant-based industrial products and more. The firm has a mission to create lasting value for both investors and the planet. For more information, please visit phalanximpact.com or contact inquiries@phalanximpact.com.
About Das & Co.
Das and Co. is a New York-based investment and development firm specializing in real estate, venture capital, sustainable energy, and infrastructure projects in emerging markets. The company is currently active in the U.S., India, the Caribbean, and East Africa and have partners on 5 continents. Das & Co. is focused on the transition to a clean economy and believes it is a moral imperative for this century. The company builds businesses that combat climate change and increase global economic sustainability by reducing the carbon emission of energy production and other activities, while simultaneously earning attractive risk adjusted returns for its investing partners. Website: dasandco.com.