The first Enel solar panel manufacturing factory in Inola, Oklahoma, was a planned industrial project intended to expand solar panel production capacity in the USA.
Enel North America announced the development of the facility, which was to be managed through its subsidiary 3Sun USA. The project was intended to support large-scale solar manufacturing operations within the region.
According to project details, the facility was planned to span approximately 2 million square feet, with construction scheduled to begin in 2023. Initial production was targeted for late 2024, alongside the planned recruitment of manufacturing personnel during the development phase.
The site was located near the Tulsa Port of Inola, providing access to rail and barge transportation networks. The location was selected due to its logistical advantages and the state’s investment environment, including incentive programmes linked to job creation commitments.
As of May 2026, Enel’s planned $1 billion solar panel and cell manufacturing facility in Inola, Oklahoma, remains stalled as the company actively seeks a majority financial partner to proceed with construction.
Also read: Inside the 500MW Aktina Renewable Power Project in Wharton County
Other Projects
Another solar project that is facing significant hurdles is the planned 18 solar farms in New York by ORES. There are numerous projects planned such as the 100MW solar energy complex in Fort Edward, covering 1,800 acres. Others also include the 4,000-acre (6.25-square-mile), 500-megawatt Cider Solar Farm in Genesee County and the 2,000-acre (3.1-square-mile) Ridge View Solar Farm in Niagara County.
The move is driven by the New York’s green energy mandate which went into effect with 2019’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The mandate requires 70 percent of statewide electricity to come from “renewable” sources. However, local opposition has always pushed the plans back, as it is now.
Cherokee Nation to be part of the team working on the First Enel Solar Panel Factory in the USA
The facility will be situated on Muscogee (Creek) Nation land. This is close to the Cherokee Nation land as a part of the Tulsa Port of Inola. Although the specifics of the relationship are still being worked out, Enel intends to collaborate with both tribes on staffing decisions and other project developments, according to Bertolino.
In a statement, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said: “With Enel North America constructing a production facility in Rogers County, we are seeing a significant step forward in pushing alternative energy efforts and supporting green energy manufacturing in a Cherokee community.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Enel 3Sun USA Solar Manufacturing Facility
- Location: Inola, Oklahoma, USA (near Tulsa Port of Inola)
- Estimated Investment Value: $1 Billion (planned)
- Project Type: Solar panel and cell manufacturing facility
Timeline
- Project announcement: Pre-2023
- Construction start planned: 2023 (not commenced as scheduled)
- Initial production target: Late 2024 (not achieved)
- Current status: Stalled as of May 2026
- Next step: Seeking majority financial partner
Site & Scale
- Facility size: ~2 million square feet
- Located near rail and barge logistics hub
- Situated on Muscogee (Creek) Nation land
- Adjacent to Cherokee Nation jurisdiction area
Project Teams
- Developer: Enel North America
- Subsidiary: 3Sun USA
- Tribal partners: Cherokee Nation & Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Local support: State of Oklahoma incentive programs
Infrastructure Scope
- Solar panel and cell manufacturing lines
- Large-scale industrial production facility
- Logistics integration via rail and port access
- Workforce recruitment and training infrastructure
Challenges
- Construction delays and stalled financing
- Need for majority financial partner
- Uncertain project timeline for restart
- Coordination with tribal land stakeholders
- Market and supply chain uncertainty
Current Status
- Project currently stalled
- No active construction underway
- Enel seeking strategic investment partner
- Future development dependent on financing resolution
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