A Chinese solar energy company is proposing to build a solar-panel plant in Austin, investing $20.7 million and creating more than 300 jobs.
In return, the city of Austin is proposing to give the company an 80-percent break on property taxes on the plant and equipment.
Yingli Green Energy, the U.S. subsidiary of a large Chinese solar energy company, also is negotiating with Phoenix, Ariz., according to Dave Porter, senior vice president for economic development at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
The company also has applied for incentives from the U.S. Department of Energy under a federal clean-energy stimulus program, he said.
The jobs would pay an average of about $35,000, ranging from $13.50 an hour for manufacturing workers to $50,000 for 55 staff workers and $125,000 for 2 top executives.
Austin would become the company’s U.S. headquarters, according to the proposal.
