First Solar Lake Township solar PV production facility in Ohio, broke ground in August 2021 after plan announcement in June the same year. The solar modules facility represents a US$ 680 million investment and has a 3.3 GW manufacturing capacity. It has since started production and forms part of First Solar’s plot to exceed 7 GW of Ohio manufacturing capacity by 2025. The plant operates alongside existing sites in Perrysburg and will soon be joined by a new 3.7 GW solar manufacturing facility announced by First Solar.
Project Factsheet for First Solar PV Production Facility in Ohio
Developer/Operator: First Solar Inc.
Location: Lake Township, Ohio
Initial Investment: US$ 680 million
Production Capacity: 3.3 GW for utility-scale thin-film Cadmium-telluride (CdTe) modules
Technology Use: CdTe thin-film modules
Status: Operational
Project Timeline
June 2021: First Solar announces US$680 million investment in Lake Township plant for 3.3 GW DC capacity.
August 2021: Ground breaking ceremony held for the Lake Township facility.
March 2022: First Solar reports securing local steel supply in Ohio for the Lake Township build-out.
July 2024: Announcement of a new nearby R&D facility in Lake Township.
First Solar Begins Construction of New Ohio Solar PV Production Facility
Reported August 23, 2021 – Construction on the third First Solar Ohio solar PV production facility has begun. The US$680 million facility will be a 3.3 GW facility. It will also likely begin operation in the first half of 2023. The Ohio facility is expected to increase First Solar’s Northwest Ohio footprint to a total annual capacity of 6 GW. This also makes the company the largest fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing complex outside Asia. The facility has the potential to create over 500 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs. First Solar produces its thin-film PV modules using a fully integrated, continuous process under one roof. This is also unique to the company as it is the only US-headquartered company that does not use crystalline silicon (c-Si) semiconductor or manufacture in China.
Also Read: US$365 million given in funding to new smart factory in Ohio
The Production Process
The Ohio solar PV production facility will allow the company to produce an anticipated average of one module roughly every 2.75 seconds across its three-factory Ohio footprint once it achieves its full production capacity. It will also combine highly skilled workers with Industry 4.0 architecture, artificial intelligence and machine-to-machine communication. Also anticipated is Internet of Things connectivity to for a higher degree of automation, continuous improvement, and precision.
Key Quote
“Today, we’re leading the efforts to revitalize American solar manufacturing and secure critical clean energy supply chains. This is because reliable access to competitive, efficient solar panels is essential to our country’s future. Solar panels are the next crude oil, and we cannot be beholden to adversarial nations for our supply,” said the chief executive officer for First Solar, Mark Widmar.
“We’re scaling US cleantech innovation by investing in R&D, ensuring that a uniquely American solar technology that was developed right here in Ohio remains competitively advantaged. And we’re taking it a step further by producing the next generation of solar panels designed and made in the USA for the American solar industry,” added Mark Widmar.
