First Solar Continues US Footprint with Announcement of New Factory in Louisiana

Solar solutions provider First Solar will be setting up is fifth thin-film solar module factory in the Acadiana Regional Airport in Iberia Parish, Louisiana in the USA.

The unit will see an investment worth $1.1bn and aid America with capacity expansion for the production of photovoltaic solar modules domestically. The said investment will chalk out 700 direct job in manufacturing in Louisiana.

The facility is slated for completion in the first half of 2026. The unit will help First Solar to expand its nameplate manufacturing by 3.5 GW, which is expected to touch close to 14 GW in the US in 2026. Currently, the firm boasts of more than 2500 employees across the US and by 2026, this number is poised to reach 4000. This will entail 850 new manufacturing jobs in Alabama and Ohio with more than 100 new R&D jobs in Ohio.

“First Solar’s selection of Iberia Parish for its newest solar panel production facility leaves no doubt that Louisiana is leading the global energy transition, and creating good-paying jobs as a result,” stated John Bel Edwards, Louisiana Governor. He added, “This massive investment and the jobs it will create are a huge win for the people of Acadiana and the entire state. It is proof positive that Louisiana’s ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy is growing and diversifying our economy.”

A few days back, First Solar, Inc. and Matrix Renewables announced a significant collaboration in the renewable energy sector. Matrix, the TPG Rise-backed global renewable energy platform, has entered into a framework agreement to procure approximately 2.1 gigawatts (GWDC) of advanced thin film modules from First Solar. These modules are scheduled to be delivered between 2024 and 2027, and they will be utilized to power Matrix’s projects in the United States and Spain. This deal marks Matrix’s first order for First Solar’s ultra-low carbon photovoltaic (PV) technology.

Following the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the US has seen a slew of announcements which is set to give a boost to solar manufacturing in the country. Major capacity expansion plans are underway with announcements made by firms about setting up manufacturing units in the country. Some of these firms include Heliene, Meyer Burger, Vikram Solar, Canadian Solar, Saatvik, Enel among others.