Suniva will use the 60,000-sf space to house production for itshigh-value solar cells. The company develops, manufactures andmarkets high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells for cleanpower generation in the hopes of driving the benefits of theproduct to a mass market. Originally based at the Georgia Instituteof Technology's University Center of Excellence in Photovoltaics,the company is now ready to open its first large manufacturingfacility at this site.

"This new building will help Suniva's mission of reducing cellmanufacturing costs to make the price of solar power morecost-competitive to electricity from the grid," says Chris Miller,senior marketing/leasing manager with First Industrial, tellsGlobeSt.com. "We're excited about the concept of having that kindof tenant in our portfolio given the current environmental concernsand need for efficient energy."

Suniva was represented by Price Weaver of Colliers SpectrumCauble in the deal. Pat Murphy of CB Richard Ellis also assisted inthe transaction. First Industrial's Atlanta portfolio is currentlyover nine million sf.