First Solar will invest $185 million to upgrade and expand its manufacturing capabilities in Northwest Ohio, the company announced today (Aug. 30).
This is part of a $1.2 billion initiative that will include the construction in the Southwest of its fourth factory in the United States. Its third is now under construction in Lake Township.
The company reported that this is “directly supporting the country’s transition to a decarbonized future and enabling the fight against climate change.”
The construction of a new domestic manufacturing facility is an about face for the company, the Wall Street Journal reported. First Solar had earlier said it would not build a new factory in the United States because of lack of federal support.
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act changed that.
Mark Widmar, chief executive officer, First Solar stated: “In passing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration has entrusted our industry with the responsibility of enabling America’s clean energy future and we must meet the moment in a manner that is both timely and sustainable. This investment is an important step towards achieving self-sufficiency in solar technology, which, in turn, supports America’s energy security ambitions, its deployment of solar at scale, and its ability to lead with innovation.”
The company’s panels are designed and developed in its research and development facilities in Northwest Ohio and California.
The company promotes its panels which have a layer of Cadmium Telluride semiconductor as both more efficient and more environmentally sound.
First Solar also recycles the semiconductor material for use in new panels.
This latest national expansion would bring the company’s workforce to more than 3,000.
