First Solar inaugurates first phase of South Carolina manufacturing facility
First Solar inaugurated the first phase of its Gaffney, South Carolina, manufacturing facility. The approximately $330 million site is expected to reach 3.4 gigawatts of annual nameplate capacity when its second phase is completed by mid-2027. About 500 jobs have been filled, with nearly 700 jobs expected at full operation.
Why it matters
The project expands First Solar’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and adds domestic solar-module capacity. CEO Mark Widmar said the facility’s production avoids dependence on Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains, which may strengthen the company’s positioning with customers seeking U.S.-made modules.
Key facts
- 1First Solar inaugurated the first phase of its facility in Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina. stocktitan.net
- 2The approximately $330 million facility is forecast to double its annual nameplate capacity to 3.4 gigawatts when the second phase is completed by mid-2027. stocktitan.net
- 3Approximately 500 jobs have already been filled, while nearly 700 jobs are expected at the facility. stocktitan.net
- 4First Solar expects to have invested over $5 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research and development infrastructure since 2019 by the end of 2026, and forecasts approximately 17 GW of U.S. module manufacturing capacity by 2027. stocktitan.net
Open questions
- describes the project as creating 600 new jobs, while says approximately 500 jobs are filled and nearly 700 jobs are expected; the materials do not reconcile these job counts.
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 3 of 3 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.