First Solar invests $330mn in new solar factory in South Carolina

First Solar has announced the construction of a new factory in Gaffney, Cherokee County, to add 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of domestic production capacity to its portfolio. The company plans to invest $330mn in the site, which will complete its Series 6 Plus modules initially produced abroad. Commercial operations are scheduled for the second half of 2026, with over 600 jobs to be created, offering an average annual salary of $74,000. The initiative positions the county at the heart of a strategic industrial expansion for the American manufacturer.

Industrial expansion and regulatory compliance

The project aims to ensure the modules comply with anticipated Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) regulations, reinforcing the company’s domestic manufacturing autonomy. This new capacity will bring First Solar’s total annual production to 17.7 GW by 2027. The expansion is partly driven by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted in 2025, which has increased demand for US-manufactured energy technologies.

The repatriated processes will cover the final transformation of thin-film solar cells into fully completed modules. According to the company, the new facility will enable it to meet regulatory obligations and align production timelines with customer requirements.

Strengthened presence in the US Southeast

This plant complements First Solar’s existing presence in South Carolina, which includes a distribution centre in Duncan and a logistics partnership with Inland Port Greer. Nationally, the company operates several production sites in Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana, supported by research and development (R&D) centres in Ohio and California.

Since 2019, First Solar has invested approximately $4.5bn in US manufacturing and R&D infrastructure. The company expects to directly employ more than 5,500 people in the country by the end of 2026 and support an estimated 30,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, generating over $3bn in labour income.

Consolidated leadership in US photovoltaics

Founded in 1999, First Solar continues to play a central role in the domestic photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing sector. It remains the only major global solar company headquartered in the United States. Mark Widmar, chief executive officer of First Solar, stated that the new facility will enable the company to meet customer deadlines while remaining compliant with federal law.