First Solar breaks ground on largest thin-film solar manufacturing plant in the US

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The planned annual nameplate capacity of the Ohio 2 facility makes it the largest single thin-film solar module manufacturing facility in the US and combined with the Ohio 1 flagship facility, creates the largest solar thin-film manufacturing hub in the US at 1.8GW. Image: First Solar

Leading CdTe thin-film PV module manufacturer First Solar held a ground breaking ceremony on 8 June 2018 for the construction of its new 1.2GW manufacturing plant near its existing flagship facility in Perrysburg, Ohio.

The planned annual nameplate capacity of the Ohio 2 facility makes it the largest single thin-film solar module manufacturing facility in the US and combined with the Ohio 1 flagship facility, creates the largest solar thin-film manufacturing hub in the US at 1.8GW. 

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Both facilities are dedicated to First Solar’s large-area Series 6 modules (3x size) of its previous Series 4 modules. 

Initial module production is expected in late 2019 and is expected to cost around US$400 million, while creating around 500 new jobs.

However, in May, 2018, ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS announced plans to build a PV module manufacturing plant in Whitfield County, Georgia, with a capacity that would exceed 1.6GW.

13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our fourth PV CellTech conference dedicated to solar manufacturing in the USA. From polysilicon, wafers, ingots, cells and modules, to critical component suppliers including glass and frames, the event connects every stage of the value chain under one roof. PV CellTech USA also brings together investors, innovators, manufacturers and industry stakeholders to collaborate and strengthen domestic solar manufacturing across the United States.

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