Expanding its American manufacturing footprint beyond its home state of Ohio for the first time, First Solar Inc. has inaugurated its new $1.1 billion factory in Lawrence County, Alabama. This state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in the U.S. domestic solar manufacturing supply chain.
Boosting U.S. Production After First Solar Opens $1.1B Solar Panel Factory in Alabama
The new Alabama plant is a significant addition to the nation’s renewable energy infrastructure, contributing 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of annual nameplate capacity. The factory’s opening will generate more than 800 direct jobs in the region, establishing a new hub for energy technology workers. This facility joins First Solar’s three existing Ohio plants, elevating the company’s total domestic manufacturing capacity to nearly 11 GW.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey praised the project’s strategic importance, stating, “This represents a great day for First Solar and Lawrence County because this production facility is destined to become a major player in the US renewable energy market. The Alabama workers at this facility will help break the nation’s dependence on foreign-made solar panels and contribute to our energy independence.”
Advanced Technology Showcased as First Solar Opens $1.1B Solar Panel Factory in Alabama
At the heart of the Alabama facility is a highly efficient, fully vertically integrated production process. In approximately four hours, a sheet of glass is transformed into a complete, ready-to-ship thin-film solar panel. The facility underscores a commitment to American-made components; its Series 7 modules utilize steel that is sourced, smelted, rolled, and fabricated entirely in Alabama, all within a 25-mile radius of the plant.
“This is the first of two fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing facilities that solidify the role of the Gulf Coast states in enabling America’s all-of-the-above energy strategy,” said Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar. He emphasized the broad economic impact, noting the roles of “steelworkers, glassworkers, miners, truck drivers, railroad workers, and others who enable our mission to support our country’s energy security.”
Local officials echoed this sentiment. “First Solar’s investment is not only a step forward in clean energy but also a major boost for our local economy,” said Amard Martin, commissioner for Lawrence County. “This project brings much-needed jobs, strengthens our infrastructure, and reinforces Alabama’s position as a leader in innovation and sustainability.”
A Vision for National Expansion: First Solar Opens $1.1B Solar Panel Factory in Alabama
The Alabama plant is a key part of First Solar’s broader strategy to scale its U.S. operations. The company is already constructing another $1.1 billion, 3.5 GW facility in Louisiana, which is expected to come online in the second half of 2025. With these additions, First Solar aims to achieve over 14 GW of annual U.S. nameplate capacity by the end of 2026, pushing its global capacity beyond 25 GW.
A study commissioned by the company and conducted by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette quantifies the national economic benefits of this expansion. It projects that by 2026, First Solar’s operations will support an estimated 30,060 direct, indirect, and induced jobs across the country, generating $2.8 billion in annual labor income. The study highlights a powerful multiplier effect, estimating that every direct job at the company will support another 7.3 jobs nationwide. The company’s advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, developed in its R&D labs, offer a high-performance, lower-carbon alternative to conventional silicon panels.
Sources
- First Solar inaugurates $1.1 billion facility in Alabama – Evertiq
- Governor Ivey Announces First Solar to Open $1.1 Billion Alabama …
- News – First Solar
- First Solar opens $1.1 B expanded manufacturing facility in Alabama…
- First Solar opens $1.1 billion solar factory in Alabama
- First Solar Inaugurates $1.1 Billion Alabama Facility | ASSEMBLY
- First Solar inaugurates $1.1 billion Alabama manufacturing facility
- Roll tide, build solar: First Solar inaugurates $1.1B Alabama facility