U.S.-based solar module manufacturer First Solar has announced its plans to construct a fifth manufacturing facility in the United States, with an investment of up to $1.1 billion. The move comes as the company aims to bolster America’s capacity to produce photovoltaic solar modules.

The upcoming manufacturing facility will be fully vertically integrated, adding 3.5 GW of nameplate manufacturing capacity.

The expansion is estimated to increase the company’s overall manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to approximately 14 GW and 25 GW globally by 2026.

The facility’s location is yet to be determined, but the company anticipates it to be commissioned in the first half of 2026.

The facility will be dedicated to producing First Solar’s Series 7 modules, designed to be manufactured with 100% U.S.-made components, aligning with the domestic content guidance issued by the Department of Treasury.

According to the company, the Series 7 modules are expected to constitute over two-thirds of the company’s annual domestic nameplate capacity once the new factory is fully operational.

The Series 7 modules produced at First Solar’s Ohio facility already incorporate U.S.-made glass and steel.

Mark Widmar, the CEO of First Solar, emphasized that the investment supports the Inflation Reduction Act’s goals by fostering enduring value for the country.

Widmar explained, by expanding the U.S. solar manufacturing base and the supporting value chains, First Solar aims to position the nation advantageously for a sustainable energy future.

Over the past year, including this announcement, the company has pledged over $2.8 billion in capital investment and an additional 7.9 GW of manufacturing capacity in the US. This includes a previously announced $1.3 billion investment in a 3.5 GW manufacturing facility in Alabama and a 0.9 GW expansion of its existing facility in Ohio, both of which are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

First Solar had also committed up to $370 million for a dedicated research and development innovation center in Perrysburg, Ohio, anticipated to be completed in 2024.

The completion of the new facility in 2026 is contingent upon obtaining the necessary permits and approvals.

Recently, First Solar acquired Evolar AB, a Sweden-based company focused on perovskite technology, for an initial payment of around $38 million, with an agreement for potential additional payment of up to $42 million based on future technical milestones.