One of the world’s biggest manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules is just weeks away from opening its first U.S. plant, a move that will bring much-needed jobs and add to the growing green energy sector of the U.S. economy.

Suntech Power Holdings, to date, only has manufacturing facilities in China. But on October 8, the company will be holding a grand opening for its facility in Goodyear, Arizona. The state has been actively courting clean energy companies with its Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program, which offers a refundable income tax credit of up to 10 percent and a 75-percent reduction on real and personal property taxes to renewable-energy companies that set up shop in state.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who was on hand earlier in the year to welcome Suntech’s decision to locate in the Phoenix area, had the following to say about Arizona’s growing role in shaping the future of America’s renewable energy industry:

“I am very serious about establishing Arizona as a leader in the renewable energy sector — we offer a strategic location with a highly skilled workforce, low payroll taxes, and, now, the right incentive program to make business sense.”

Since the implementation of the renewable energy tax incentive in January 2010, five solar manufacturing companies have opened facilities in the Phoenix area alone. In October, Power-One, an inverter manufacturer, and Suntech, will bring that number to seven.

Once opened, Suntech’s plant will be capable of assembling 30 megawatts (MW) worth of solar panels each year. It’s also expected to create 75 new clean energy jobs to Arizona. Suntech plans to ramp-up operations from there.