German solar company announces Windsor plant

A German manufacturer of solar-panel mounting systems is expanding into Canadawill set up shop in Windsor, Ont.

Schletter Inc. has announced it will open its first Canadian office in the southwestern Ontario border cityin May.

Schletter has produced steel and aluminum products for more than 40 years, and according to a news release, the company has become one of Europe's largest providers of solar mounting systems.

For its Windsor operations, Schletter has chosen a location that was formerly home to Bird Packaging on Devon Drive, behind Devonshire Mall.

"The region's highly skilled workforce, its proximity to the United States, and the province of Ontario's Green Energy Act all contributed to this important business decision," said Ryan Kelly, general manager of Schletter Canada Inc.

The company said the expansion will allow it to take advantage of Ontario's feed-in-tariff program. Under the Ontario Power Authority program, homeowners and businesses can develop their own renewable electricity generation project, then sell power back to the grid at a guaranteed price for 20 years.

The OPA is responsible for ensuring the province has enough electricity to meet its needs.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis praised the move in a statement released by the regional economic development commission.

"What makes this announcement even more significant is that this is one of the first investments by a European solar mounting systems manufacturer in the province, and we look forward to continuing to support their growth and success in this market," Francis said.

The company expects to hire 40 people by mid-May, and expand from there.