PVTIME – US solar giant First Solar has announced plans to invest $330 million in a new module manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina. The plant is set to begin operations in the second half of 2026 and will focus on producing the company’s Series 7 thin-film solar panels, boosting its domestic annual capacity to 17.7GW.
Spanning over one million square feet, the facility will specialise in Series 7 cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film modules, which offer a peak power output of 525–550 watts. This technology delivers higher efficiency and faster installation, and features a backrail design that reduces mounting costs, as well as providing superior anti-fouling and snow-resistant performance, and an industry-leading annual degradation rate of 0.3%. The new plant will create 600 jobs in Gaffney and add 3.7GW of production capacity.
This investment will strengthen First Solar’s US manufacturing footprint, building on its existing facilities in Perrysburg and Lake Township, Ohio. The company recently unveiled a $1.1 billion capacity expansion plan, including a new factory in Louisiana and upgrades to its Ohio sites, which are set to come online in 2025. The South Carolina plant will further enhance its domestic production network.
First Solar’s thin-film technology has a 30% lower carbon footprint and a shorter energy payback period than traditional silicon-based modules. This development is supported by policy incentives, including advanced manufacturing tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as foreign entities of concern restrictions in this year’s One Big Beautiful Bill. These measures have significantly increased demand for domestically compliant solar modules.
First Solar chief executive Mark Widmar noted that policy-driven surges in demand for US energy technology require rapid action, explaining that the new facility will use technology aligned with the relevant legislation to meet customer deadlines. This expansion comes at a time when the US solar manufacturing sector is facing challenges, with a major player, Qcells, having recently experienced production disruptions due to customs delays for components and worker stoppages at its Georgia plant.
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