Operations are set to commence within H2 2026.
The decision to establish the South Carolina site was driven by growing demand for domestically produced energy technology, encouraged by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025. The new plant is projected to add 3.7 GW of American-made solar technology, raising First Solar’s annual nameplate capacity in the US to 17.7 GW by 2027.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said: “South Carolina is proud to be a destination for innovative energy companies that are powering our country with American technology. First Solar’s investment will create 600 new jobs in Cherokee County, which will greatly strengthen the local economy and help advance America’s energy independence. Their expanded presence in our state will provide even more opportunities for hardworking South Carolinians.”
The Gaffney facility will convert thin-film solar cells produced by First Solar’s global manufacturing fleet into fully completed modules. First Solar’s existing footprint in South Carolina includes a distribution centre in Duncan, Spartanburg County, and a partnership with Inland Port Greer. The new plant will become part of the largest solar technology manufacturing and research and development ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, complementing three fully vertically integrated manufacturing sites in Ohio and R&D centres in Ohio and California.
By the end of 2026, First Solar expects to employ more than 5,500 people in the US and will have invested approximately $4.5 billion in domestic manufacturing and R&D infrastructure since 2019. CEO Mark Widmar said: “The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the administration’s trade policies boosted demand for American energy technology, requiring a timely, agile response that allows us to meet the moment. We expect that this new facility will enable us to serve the US market with technology that is compliant with the act’s stringent provisions, within timelines that align with our customers’ objectives.”
First Solar anticipates that by 2027, the company’s US operations will support over 30,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs nationwide, generating more than $3 billion in labour income. The Gaffney facility represents a strategic expansion in the company’s efforts to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing, advance clean energy deployment, and contribute to local economic growth while meeting rising national demand for American-made energy technology.
