First Solar broke ground on its much-anticipated production plant in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, marking the company’s sixth completely vertically integrated factory in the United States.
This massive project is estimated to cost $1.1 billion, making it the greatest capital investment in the region’s history. It is expected to considerably increase America’s ability to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Commercial exports from the plant will begin in the first half of 2026. This will increase the company’s nameplate manufacturing capacity by 3.5 gigatonnes (GW), to about 14 GW in the United States. Furthermore, the company will produce an astonishing 25 GW globally in 2026.
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Once completed, the completely vertically integrated manufacturing plant would cover an incredible two million square feet. Designed to expedite the production process, it transforms a glass sheet into a ready-to-ship Series 7 module in around 4.5 hours. Additionally, it produces over a dozen new Louisiana-made solar panels each minute.
Governor John Bel Edwards praised the effort, calling it a “historic day” for Iberia Parish and Louisiana. He emphasised the importance of this significant investment, praising the potential creation of hundreds of well-paying employment. First Solar’s choice to develop this plant, according to Edwards, solidifies Louisiana’s position as a global leader in the energy transition.
Employment at First Solar Louisiana manufacturing facility
The investment by First Solar in Louisiana will create more than 700 new direct manufacturing employees in the state. The firm presently employs over 2,500 people in the United States’ solar manufacturing industry. It expects to employ over 4,000 direct employees in the United States by 2026.
First Solar has followed an aggressive $4.1 billion manufacturing growth strategy from the beginning of the decade, increasing its worldwide nameplate capacity from around 6 GW in 2020 to 13 GW operational now.
