Suntech expands capacity of Arizona panel production facility

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The world’s largest producer of solar panels, Suntech Power, has increased the annual capacity of its new manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona to 50MW. This is the second expansion of the site since it was opened in October 2010 and its new 24/7 operating hours will help raise monthly output to 15,000 panels.

Ramping up of production will add 30 jobs to the payroll, taking Goodyear’s total number of employees to 107. Training for the new recruits was completed on May 13, after several weeks of working alongside the facility's pre-existing staff members. The facility is currently responsible for producing Suntech's 280W panels, which are used for both commercial and utility-scale electricity generation.

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

“It's a testament to the dedication and professional abilities of Suntech's Goodyear employees that we are ramping up production yet again,” Suntech's Arizona Production Manager, Mike Starr, said. “With growing demand for our US-manufactured panels, we're excited to increase our production capacity and drive growth in Arizona's solar industry.”

“We're thrilled that the world's largest producer of solar panels continues to make major investments in our future right here in Goodyear,” said Goodyear's Mayor, Georgia Lord. “Our city is on the forefront of Arizona's fast-growing solar economy and the global cleantech revolution.”

Since opening with a 30MW capacity and 40 employees last autumn, the 117,000-square-foot Goodyear site has undergone a steady expansion; it took on a second shift in January, and remains on-target to employ 150 by the end of the year.

“We expect to expand the facility to reach up to 120MW of annual production capacity within the next few years, particularly if Arizona's policy environment continues to nurture the local market,” added Steven Chan, president of Suntech America. “We want to lead the charge to achieve energy independence in Arizona and the United States.”

Read Next

May 22, 2025
US energy utility AES has signed two long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with technology giant Meta for two solar PV projects in the US states of Texas and Kansas.
May 22, 2025
The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) has contracted 2.2GW of solar PV across 18 projects.
May 22, 2025
SMA Solar will begin local assembly of power systems for large-scale solar and energy storage systems in the US.
May 22, 2025
Prefabricated solar structure provider 5B has become the first recipient of the Australian government’s AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, securing up to AU$46 million for its “Maverick” automated solar deployment system.
May 21, 2025
There is potential for cPPAs to deliver the energy transition, according to speakers at the Renewables Procurement and Revenue Summit.
May 21, 2025
US PV module manufacturer Silfab Solar has acquired a patent portfolio for back-contact (BC) solar cells from solar research firm EnPV.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece