First Solar to set up 3.5GWdc module manufacturing facility in US Southeast

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
First Solar’s US module manufacturing capacity is expected to reach 10GWdc by 2025. Image: First Solar.

Thin-film solar manufacturer First Solar will invest up to US$1.2 billion to expand its manufacturing operations in the US, including setting up a vertically integrated factory in the country’s Southeast with an annual capacity of 3.5GWdc.

The US-headquartered company plans to invest up to US$1 billion in the new factory – its fourth in the country – which is expected to begin operations in 2025.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

First Solar will also invest US$185 million in upgrading and expanding its manufacturing footprint in Ohio, where it has two operating facilities and is currently ramping up a third.

Mark Widmar, CEO at First Solar, said that in passing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration have “entrusted our industry with the responsibility of enabling America’s clean energy future and we must meet the moment in a manner that is both timely and sustainable”.

He added: “This investment is an important step towards achieving self-sufficiency in solar technology, which, in turn, supports America’s energy security ambitions, its deployment of solar at scale, and its ability to lead with innovation.”

Signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this month, the IRA includes a US$0.07/Wdc manufacturing tax credit for solar modules. Other PV components eligible for manufacturing credits include cells, wafers, backsheets, polysilicon, inverters and trackers.

Recent weeks have seen a spike in US solar manufacturing announcements, with Meyer Burger securing a long-term deal to supply at least 3.75GW of US-made modules, SPI Energy revealing plans to begin producing wafers and REC Silicon saying its efforts to restart operations at its Moses Lake polysilicon production facility are underpinned by the IRA.

US-based tracker manufacturers, meanwhile, told PV Tech Premium they are planning to ramp up production in the country on the back of provisions included in the IRA.

Alongside constructing the new factory in the Southeast, First Solar will expand its two operating facilities in Perrysburg and Lake Township, Ohio, by 600MWdc to 3.6GWdc of annual Series 6 module capacity.

It will also expand its third Ohio factory, due to be commissioned in the first half of 2023, to 3.5GWdc of annual Series 7 module capacity.

The new investments are forecast to increase First Solar’s US module manufacturing capacity to more than 10GWdc by 2025.

The company also operates factories in Vietnam and Malaysia and is setting up a 3.3GWdc plant in India that is set to be commissioned in the second half of 2023.

On completion of its US and India expansion plans, First Solar expects to have more than 20GWdc of annual global manufacturing capacity in 2025.

Read Next

June 9, 2025
Growing political headwinds threaten to dent US solar manufacturing and project deployment, despite a strong start to 2025.
June 5, 2025
US renewable power developer Invenergy has commissioned the 250MW Hardin III Solar Energy Center in the US state of Ohio.
June 4, 2025
The passage of the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' could put 330,000 clean energy jobs at risk, and threaten 331 factories with cancellation.
June 3, 2025
Canadian solar manufacturer Heliene has opened a 500MW module assembly plant in Rogers, in the US state of Minnesota.
June 3, 2025
GameChange Solar has announced plans to double the capacity of its Saudi Arabia tracker component manufacturing facility to 6GW.
May 30, 2025
Companies delayed or cancelled US$14 billion in investments in clean energy projects in the US in the first four months of this year.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece