Updated November 14, 2025 – First Solar has announced Gaffney in Cherokee County, South Carolina as location for its new 3.7 GW U.S. manufacturing facility. Approximately US$330 million will be expended to build the facility to be used for finishing First Solar’s Series 6 solar modules. First Solar plans to start operations at the South Carolina facility by end of 2026. Additionally, the facility will create more than 600 new jobs with an average salary of US$74,000 per year. This, the company notes, is approximately twice the per capita income in Cherokee County.
First Solar Unveils Plans for New 3.7 GW U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Reported October 31, 2025 – First Solar Inc. has announced plans to develop a new manufacturing facility in the U.S with an annual production capacity of 3.7 gigawatts (GW) for finishing its Series 6 solar modules. The facility will begin operations at the end of 2026 and ramp up through the first half of 2027. Other than increasing the U.S.’s self-reliance when it comes to the manufacturing of solar modules, the 3.7 GW facility also supports First Solar’s expansion efforts backed by around US$ 4.5 billion. The solar panel maker also expects to reach 14 GW of annual U.S. manufacturing capacity by 2026. The company‘s solar manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, Ohio also continues expansion as First Solar expects total Ohio capacity to surpass 7 GW by end 2025. This will feature the Lake Township facility, Perrysburg’s 2.6 GW facility and an additional 1.1 GW in expansions.
Project Factsheet
Developer: First Solar Inc.
Location: Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina
Capacity: 3.7 GW per annum
Cost: US$330 million
Investment: Part of US$ 4.5 billion First Solar’s U.S. manufacturing expansion strategy. Also qualifies for 45X module-assembly tax credits under U.S. policy.
Start of Operations: End of 2026, ramp through first half of 2027
Utility: Final assembly of Series 6 solar modules.
Job Slots: Over 600
Project Timeline
October 2025: Plans for the new 3.7 GW U.S. manufacturing facility.
Late 2026: Start of operations for the facility expected.
Through 2027: Ramp up expected to achieve full capacity.
Outlook on the 3.7 GW U.S. Manufacturing Facility by First Solar
Site selection, construction timeline and operational execution are all also important to First Solar’s manufacturing facility in the U.S. Additionally, with growth of the U.S. solar manufacturing landscape, this facility may also attract investments in other module technologies, alongside recycling and circular economy capabilities as well.
First Solar and U.S. PV Modules Manufacturing Landscape
The new 3.7 GW facility is, in all respect, First Solar’s move to strengthen U.S. PV module manufacturing capacity. Similar momentum is seen with Boviet Solar advancing interior construction at its 3 GW PV cell manufacturing plant in North Carolina, signaling rapid progress in America’s solar manufacturing sector. It also comes at a time when contentious policies on climate change and domestic supply-chain security are dominating national discussions.
With solar module tariffs, tax credits such as the 45X assembly credit and increasing demand for renewable energy infrastructure globally, First Solar continues to make bets on manufacturing growth while focusing on regulatory tailwinds that seem to matter.
