Area Development
First Solar Inc. plans to establish a photovoltaic solar module manufacturing facility at Mallard Fox West Industrial Complex in Lawrence County, Alabama. The $1.8 billion project is expected to create 700 jobs.

The new fully vertically integrated facility, which will join three factories in Ohio, is part of the company’s previously announced investment in scaling its American manufacturing footprint to over 10 gigawatts by 2025.

“This facility, along with its sister factories in Ohio, will form part of the industrial foundation that helps ensure this transition is powered by American innovation and ingenuity,” said Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar.

The factory is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025, with a planned annual capacity of 3.5 GW.

"As it works to develop the next generation of solar technologies, First Solar represents the kind of innovative, technology-forward company that can help power Alabama’s economy into the future,” noted Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This investment supports sustainability and advances America’s energy security, and it’s great news for Alabama.”

First Solar, Inc. is an American manufacturer of solar panels, and a provider of utility-scale PV power plants and supporting services that include finance, construction, maintenance and end-of-life panel recycling.

“Our team, from the state down to the local level, has worked extremely hard to make this project a reality,” added Tabitha Pace, president and CEO of the Lawrence County Industrial Development Board. “First Solar will have a tremendous impact on our economy and region,” Pace said. “We look forward to building those relationships for a successful future.”