First Solar has opened its new solar manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, marking a major expansion of American solar production.
The $1.1 billion solar plant spans 2.4 million square feet and is one of the largest solar manufacturing sites in the Western Hemisphere. With over 700 employees already on site and 826 planned by year end, the facility strengthens First Solar’s manufacturing growth in the United States.
A major boost to US solar capacity
The Iberia Parish facility will contribute 3.5 gigawatts of annual nameplate capacity. This addition will take First Solar’s total US manufacturing footprint to 14 gigawatts in 2026 and 17.7 gigawatts in 2027, when its new South Carolina facility is expected to come online.
Production at the Louisiana plant started ahead of schedule in July 2025. The faster timeline was driven by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and recent US trade policies that increased demand for domestically made solar technology that aligns with expected FEOC guidance. The plant uses only American materials such as glass sourced from Illinois and Ohio, and steel from Mississippi that is fabricated in Louisiana.
Strong regional economic impact
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the project, calling it a powerful example of how American energy dominance can be strengthened through clean-tech manufacturing.
According to a study by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the facility is expected to increase Iberia Parish’s GDP by 4.4 percent in its first full year of full-capacity operations. Manufacturing roles at the site provide an average compensation of 90,000 dollars per year, more than triple the parish’s per capita income.
High-tech manufacturing powered by AI
First Solar said the factory uses advanced artificial intelligence technologies throughout its production lines. AI driven tools such as deep learning and computer vision automatically detect defects in solar modules, while operators use AI enabled systems to optimize performance and make real-time operational decisions. First Solar leaders say these capabilities allow American workers to deliver higher productivity and compete globally.
Expanding the largest solar manufacturing footprint in the Western Hemisphere
The Louisiana plant joins First Solar’s growing US fleet that includes three facilities in Ohio, one in Alabama, and R and D centers in Ohio and California. The company has also announced expansion with a new production line in South Carolina to bring more manufacturing steps back to the United States.
Since 2019, First Solar has invested approximately 4.5 billion dollars in US manufacturing and R and D infrastructure. By the end of 2026, the company expects to employ more than 5,500 people in the country and support over 30,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs nationwide by 2027. Estimated labor income associated with these roles exceeds 3 billion dollars.
Reinforcing US leadership in solar technology
First Solar has been manufacturing in the United States since 2002 and remains the only one of the world’s largest solar companies headquartered domestically. Its continued investments in large scale production demonstrate a long term commitment to strengthening the US supply chain, reducing dependence on global markets, and supporting the country’s clean energy goals.
Faheema P