First Solar sees South Carolina factory starting Q4 2026

First Solar sees South Carolina factory starting Q4 2026

First Solar’s South Carolina Plant Set for Q4 2026 Start, Boosting U.S. Solar Capacity

First Solar, Inc. has outlined plans for its sixth U.S. manufacturing facility in South Carolina to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, aligning with broader efforts to scale domestic solar production. The facility is projected to add 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of annual nameplate capacity, bringing the company’s total U.S. solar module production capacity to approximately 18 GW by 2027 across six plants in Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, and South Carolina according to company plans.

The expansion underscores a $4.5 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and research and development (R&D) infrastructure since 2019. An economic impact study by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette estimates that First Solar’s operations will contribute $7.8 billion to the U.S. GDP by 2027, a 28% increase from $5.8 billion in 2025. The company’s activities are also projected to support 39,320 jobs and generate $4 billion in annual labor income by 2027, reflecting a significant rise from 2025 figures.

First Solar’s vertically integrated thin-film manufacturing process, which transforms raw materials into finished solar panels in a single facility, differentiates its operations. This approach, combined with reliance on U.S.-sourced materials like glass and steel, enhances supply chain efficiency and resilience.

The South Carolina plant’s startup in late 2026 will follow five existing facilities in Alabama, Louisiana, and Ohio. The company has emphasized that construction-related activity already contributed $1.6 billion to U.S. GDP in 2025, alongside 10,370 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. With these developments, First Solar continues to solidify its position as a leader in domestic solar technology production, aligning with federal incentives aimed at decarbonizing the energy sector.

As the company prepares to release Q4 FY25 financial results, investors will likely scrutinize how these manufacturing expansions impact profitability and long-term growth prospects.