First Solar , the largest integrated solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, has unveiled plans to construct its fifth manufacturing facility in the United States. The company intends to invest up to $1.1 billion in this project, focusing on producing photovoltaic (PV) solar modules.
While the exact location of the new facility remains undecided, First Solar aims to significantly enhance its nameplate manufacturing capacity by 3.5 gigawatts (GW), pushing the total to approximately 14 GW within the US and 25 GW globally by the year 2026.
Scheduled for completion and commissioning in the first half of 2026, the facility will be dedicated to manufacturing First Solar’s Series 7 modules. These modules are expected to incorporate 100 percent US-made components, following the guidelines outlined by the US Department of Treasury in its domestic content guidance.
Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, cited the company’s robust fundamentals as the driving force behind this strategic decision. He emphasized factors such as an order backlog of approximately 78 gigawatts, a solid balance sheet, a well-established vertically integrated manufacturing model, and a proven technology platform.
Widmar remarked, “With this investment, we continue to help deliver on the promise of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is to create enduring value for our country. By expanding America’s solar manufacturing base, and the value chains that support it, we are working to ensure that the US enters the next decade in a position of strength, fully capable of producing the technology it needs to complete its transition to a sustainable energy future.”
The Series 7 modules manufactured at the Ohio facility are already constructed using US-made glass and steel. Once the new factory is operational, Series 7 modules are expected to account for over two-thirds of First Solar’s annual domestic nameplate capacity.
This investment reinforces First Solar’s commitment to contributing to the US economy. The company has already pledged over $2.8 billion in capital investment and 7.9 GW of manufacturing capacity in the country.
Moreover, this announcement follows the company’s previous commitments, including a $1.3 billion investment in a new 3.5 GW manufacturing facility in Alabama and a 0.9 GW expansion of its existing manufacturing footprint in Ohio, both scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. Additionally, First Solar is investing up to $370 million in a dedicated R&D innovation center in Perrysburg, Ohio, anticipated to be completed in 2024.
The new manufacturing facility is set to be a significant job creator. First Solar estimates that it will generate over 700 new jobs, bolstering the company’s position as the largest employer in America’s solar manufacturing sector. With an additional 850 new manufacturing jobs planned in Alabama and Ohio, along with over 100 new R&D jobs in Ohio, the company expects to employ over 4,000 people across the United States by 2026.
As First Solar forges ahead with its expansion plans, the company is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s solar manufacturing capabilities and contributing to a sustainable energy future.