Maxeon Solar Technologies, a pioneering force in solar energy, has taken a significant stride towards expanding its manufacturing capabilities with the selection of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the site for its inaugural U.S. manufacturing facility.
The ambitious project, with an envisaged capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW), is poised to propel Maxeon’s latest-generation TOPCon PV-silicon cell technology and innovative shingled-cell Performance Line solar modules into the domestic market.
Anticipating the burgeoning demand for domestically produced solar panels, Maxeon’s 3 GW facility will serve both the burgeoning Utility Scale Power Plant market and the burgeoning Distributed Generation rooftop applications. The project is set to represent a colossal investment of over $1 billion, contingent upon a successful financial close under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program.
Currently undergoing the due diligence phase of its loan application, the site selection for the manufacturing expansion marks a significant milestone in the process. Although Maxeon’s engagement with the DOE’s Loan Programs Office signals progress, it is not indicative of an assured loan guarantee issuance or alignment of terms.
Maxeon’s audacious endeavor is expected to result in the first large-scale photovoltaic (PV) cell and panel manufacturing plant in New Mexico. With planned capacity approximately double the size of the most extensive silicon solar manufacturing facility currently operational in the U.S., this facility is poised to redefine the solar energy landscape. The commencement of construction is projected for the first quarter of 2024, followed by factory ramp-up in 2025.
The chosen 160-acre site, nestled within the Mesa Del Sol community, will host a comprehensive complex encompassing solar cell fabrication, panel assembly, warehousing facilities, and administrative offices. Upon completion, the facility is projected to create up to 1,800 jobs, ranging from highly skilled manufacturing and engineering positions, further boosting local economies. The plant’s output, estimated to reach millions of solar panels annually, will cater to the surging demand within the U.S. market.
Maxeon’s global manufacturing footprint is set to expand with this ambitious venture, which will supplement its existing plants in Mexico, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Bolstered by robust customer demand and the favorable infrastructure at the Mesa Del Sol site, Maxeon is actively evaluating the prospects of enhancing the scale of its U.S. manufacturing endeavor by approximately 50 percent, potentially elevating the nameplate capacity to a staggering 4.5 GW. The final decision on plant capacity is expected to materialize later this year.
As Maxeon Solar Technologies continues to position itself at the vanguard of solar innovation, this strategic move into U.S. manufacturing underscores its unwavering commitment to driving sustainable energy solutions into the future.