First Solar, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the United States, announced today that it has broken ground on its $1.1 billion facility in Louisiana.
The manufacturing facility, located in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, southwest of Baton Rouge, is First Solar's fifth facility in the United States.
The photovoltaic panel manufacturing plant, which is expected to begin commercial shipments in the first half of 2026, is the largest capital investment in the region's history.
"This is a historic day for the Diocese of Iberia and Louisiana as we celebrate this record investment and the creation of hundreds of good jobs," said Gov. John Bel Edwards (D-Los Angeles).
The plant is expected to increase First Solar's production capacity by 3.5 gigawatts to 14 gigawatts in the United States and 25 gigawatts worldwide by 2026. When completed, the station will have more than 2 million square feet
. It is designed to change a sheet of glass on a 7-series unit that will be ready to ship in 4.5 hours, meaning it will be able to produce more than 12 new panels per minute.
Arizona-based First Solar Temp's investment in Louisiana is expected to create more than 700 new direct manufacturing jobs. The company currently has more than 2,500 employees in the US and expects to have more than 4,000 direct employees in the US by 2026. Read more
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the image. First Sun:
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