First Solar to Build PV Panel Plant in Ohio

First Solar, Tempe, AZ, will invest $680 million to build its third U.S. manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, OH. The 1.8 million-sq-ft facility is projected to directly create approximately 500 jobs and is expected to produce an enhanced thin-film PV module for the utility-scale solar market in the United States.

“We have said that we stand ready to support President Biden’s goal to transition America to a clean, energy-secure future, and our decision to more than double our US manufacturing capacity with this new facility is First Solar making good on that commitment,” said Mark Widmar, CEO, in the press release.”

The press release said the facility will be one of the most advanced of its kind in the solar industry, allowing First Solar to produce an anticipated average of one module roughly every 2.75 seconds across its three-factory Ohio footprint once it achieves its full production capacity. The facility will combine Industry 4.0 architecture, machine-to-machine communication, artificial intelligence, and IoT connectivity.