First Solar Picks South Carolina for New U.S. Plant
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR), one of the most prominent manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) solar technology in the United States, announced plans to significantly expand its domestic operations by establishing a new production facility in Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina. This major strategic investment underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening American solar manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. According to First Solar, the new plant will represent an investment of approximately $330 million and is scheduled to begin commercial operations in the second half of 2026.
The facility will specialize in onshoring the final production processes for the company’s Series 6 Plus solar modules. These modules are initially produced—up to an advanced stage—at First Solar’s international manufacturing sites. The new South Carolina plant will complete the modules domestically, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards required for U.S. energy programs and federal incentives. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to add 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of annual manufacturing capacity, bringing First Solar’s total U.S. nameplate capacity to an impressive 17.7 GW by 2027.
This development is also expected to deliver a meaningful economic boost to Cherokee County and the wider region. First Solar’s investment will create more than 600 new high-quality jobs, offering an average annual manufacturing salary of $74,000—approximately double the county’s current per capita income. The presence of a major clean-energy manufacturer is poised to generate additional indirect economic activity, including opportunities for suppliers, contractors, logistics providers, and other service-based businesses that support industrial operations of this scale.
The project has received strong support from South Carolina’s political leadership, who have emphasized the state’s growing prominence as a hub for innovative energy and advanced manufacturing industries. Governor Henry McMaster welcomed First Solar’s expansion plans, stating that South Carolina “is proud to be a destination for innovative energy companies that are powering our country with American technology.” He highlighted the direct economic benefits the investment will bring to Cherokee County, including job creation and enhanced economic stability. He also noted that the project reinforces national priorities around strengthening domestic energy independence and boosting access to affordable, American-made clean energy solutions.
A significant driver of First Solar’s decision to onshore additional manufacturing processes is the policy environment created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in July 2025. The legislation has generated substantial demand for domestically produced energy technologies by providing incentives and regulatory clarity for companies that invest in U.S. manufacturing capabilities. The South Carolina facility will be designed to meet the Act’s anticipated requirements related to Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC), ensuring that products originating from the plant are fully compliant with the new standards.
Mark Widmar, First Solar’s chief executive officer, noted that the company’s decision reflects both market dynamics and policy momentum. “The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Administration’s trade policies boosted demand for American energy technology, requiring a timely, agile response that allows us to meet the moment,” he said. Widmar emphasized that the new facility will help the company deliver products that align with its U.S. customers’ expectations regarding innovation, quality, and compliance with federal programs.
First Solar’s new Gaffney site will play a critical role in the company’s broader U.S. manufacturing strategy. The facility will convert thin-film solar cells manufactured at international locations into fully finished solar modules. The expansion complements the company’s existing presence in South Carolina, which includes a distribution center in Duncan, Spartanburg County, and a longstanding operational partnership with Inland Port Greer—an important logistics asset for manufacturers in the region.
The Gaffney plant will join First Solar’s extensive U.S. production network, which already includes three fully integrated manufacturing facilities in Ohio and additional plants in Alabama and Louisiana. These facilities comprise the largest solar technology manufacturing and R&D footprint in the Western Hemisphere. Furthermore, First Solar maintains research and development centers in California and Ohio, where it continues to advance its proprietary thin-film PV technology.
Since 2019, the company has invested approximately $4.5 billion in U.S.-based manufacturing and research infrastructure—a level of commitment that has elevated it as a major driver of domestic clean energy development. By the end of 2026, First Solar expects to employ more than 5,500 workers directly in the United States. By 2027, taking into account direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts, First Solar projects that it will support more than 30,000 jobs nationwide, contributing an estimated $3 billion in labor income to the American economy.
As one of the only major global solar manufacturers headquartered in the United States, First Solar occupies a unique position in the energy landscape. The company has been manufacturing domestically since 2002 and continues to distinguish itself through its commitment to thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology. This technology offers an alternative to traditional crystalline silicon modules and is widely recognized for its durability, performance in extreme climates, and significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional solar products.
The establishment of the South Carolina facility represents a critical step in advancing the United States’ leadership in clean energy manufacturing. With strong federal policy support, growing market demand for reliable, domestically made solar products, and increasing pressure to minimize supply chain vulnerabilities, First Solar’s investment aligns with broader national goals to restore industrial competitiveness and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
As the U.S. expands its renewable energy deployment to meet rising electricity needs and climate goals, large-scale investments such as this will play an essential role in strengthening the domestic solar supply chain. The new Gaffney facility is poised not only to enhance First Solar’s production capabilities but also to contribute to the creation of a more resilient, innovative, and economically robust renewable energy sector across the country.
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