3 Solar Companies Spending $1B+ on 15 GW of Solar Module Manufacturing Facilities
According to American Clean Power, the United States only had 7 GW of module manufacturing capacity in 2021. However, over the past eight months, 46 utility-scale clean energy manufacturing facilities have been announced, bringing with them more than 18,000 jobs.
“The times of supply shortages are over,” said Thomas Koerner, Senior Vice President of Canadian Solar.
Adding to this momentum, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, and Longi have announced they are each constructing 5 GW of solar module manufacturing facilities in the United States for a combined 15 GW of capacity. Each factory will represent $200 million to $600 million in capital expenditure for the companies.
“Establishing [these factories] is a key milestone that will enable us to better serve our U.S. customers,” said Shawn Qu, Founder and CEO of Canadian Solar. “We hope that this is the first of many long-term investments we expect to make in the U.S. as we think strategically about a sustainable and resilient clean energy supply chain.”
Trina Solar will invest $200 million in a Texas manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 5 GW. The new factory is expected to begin production in 2024 and create about 1,500 new local jobs.
Longi is set to construct a 5 GW panel assembly factory in Ohio. The company will partner with Invenergy, who plans to invest more than $600 million to complete the 1.1 million sq ft manufacturing facility. The facility is projected to be operational by late 2023 and contribute more than 850 local jobs.
Canadian Solar will build its 5 GW manufacturing facility in Mesquite, Texas, where they will produce the company’s TOPCon solar panels. The company is set to invest $250 million into constructing the factory, which will create roughly 1,500 jobs during construction and operation.
