The latest renewable energy news includes announcements on SEG Solar, First Solar, 4 GW Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility in Texas, BW ESS, and others.
SEG Solar Plans $950 Million Investment in 4 GW Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility in Texas
US photovoltaic manufacturer SEG Solar has signed a land agreement for a proposed $950 million solar cell manufacturing facility in Tomball, Texas. Announced October 29, the factory will have 4 GW of annual heterojunction solar cell manufacturing capacity and is expected to create more than 700 jobs. Production is planned in two phases of 2 GW each, targeted for 2028 and 2029. The facility will be developed alongside SEG Solar’s existing 4 GW module manufacturing plant and another 4.6 GW module facility under construction. The expansion will integrate solar cell production with module manufacturing, testing, research and selected component production. The investment remains at the planned development stage.
First Solar Opens $330 Million South Carolina Factory, Targets 3.4 GW Manufacturing Capacity by 2027
First Solar has inaugurated the first phase of its approximately $330 million photovoltaic manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina. Announced October 29, the initial phase provides 1.7 GW of annual manufacturing capacity. A second phase, scheduled for completion by mid-2027, will increase the facility’s total capacity to 3.4 GW. The plant will complete final manufacturing processes for Series 6 Plus thin-film solar modules initially produced at First Solar’s international facilities. The expansion is expected to support approximately 700 jobs, with around 500 positions already filled. The second phase will incorporate the company’s CuRe technology. The project strengthens domestic solar manufacturing and supply-chain integration in the United States.
BW ESS Acquires 200 MW/800 MWh Battery Storage Portfolio from Recurrent Energy in France
Battery storage developer BW ESS has acquired two French battery projects from Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar. Announced October 29, the transaction covers 200 MW of discharge capacity and 800 MWh of electricity storage. The portfolio comprises the 100 MW/400 MWh Baixas project in Pyrénées-Orientales and the 100 MW/400 MWh Coquainvilliers project in Calvados. Recurrent Energy will continue managing development until the projects reach construction readiness. BW ESS will subsequently oversee construction, ownership and long-term operations. The acquisition marks BW ESS’s entry into France, its seventh operating market. Both projects have advanced transmission connection positions. Financial consideration and commissioning schedules were not disclosed.
