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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

First Solar Establishes Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Solar Module Manufacturing Complex

08/15/2023
Solar energy manufacturer First Solar plans to establish its fifth U.S. manufacturing facility at Acadiana Regional Airport in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The $1.1 billion project is expected to create more than 700 jobs.

Scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026, the new facility will produce the company’s Series 7 modules, which will be manufactured with 100% U.S.-made components.

“We are pleased to partner with Louisiana as we lean into our commitment to creating enduring value for America by expanding our solar manufacturing footprint and the domestic value chains that enable it,” said First Solar Chief Executive Officer Mark Widmar. “As we evaluated our options, Louisiana’s ability to deliver the talent we need stood out, thanks to its extensive workforce development initiatives and the presence of academic institutions such as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette which now features a world-class solar energy lab. In bringing our unique, fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing model to Louisiana, we expect the plant to mirror the commitment to ‘Responsible Solar’ evident at every First Solar manufacturing facility, which are among the cleanest, safest, and most diverse in the industry. We are proud that our investment in American manufacturing will create stable, good-paying manufacturing jobs and economic and social value in the state.”

To secure the project the state of Louisiana offered First Solar an incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart. Additional incentives include performance-based grants for site development and infrastructure improvements totaling $30 million. All grants are contingent upon meeting investment, employment and payroll targets. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program.

In addition Iberia Parish and Iberia Economic Development Authority are supporting the project by committing to fund site improvements such as water and wastewater infrastructure development.

“First Solar’s selection of Iberia Parish for its newest solar panel production facility leaves no doubt that Louisiana is leading the global energy transition, and creating good-paying jobs as a result,” noted Governor John Bel Edwards. “This massive investment and the jobs it will create are a huge win for the people of Acadiana and the entire state. It is proof positive that Louisiana’s ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy is growing and diversifying our economy. Thank you to everyone who made this day a reality, and a special thank-you to First Solar for trusting Louisiana to be part of their mission to create a more sustainable future.”

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.

“First Solar’s announcement is the largest capital investment to date in our region, and it’s a testament to the region’s economic competitiveness,” added Troy Wayman, president and CEO of One Acadiana. “It also speaks to the strong collaboration among partners that helped usher the project to the finish line. We celebrate with our partners from the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, the Acadiana legislative delegation, the Acadiana Planning Commission, the Iberia Parish government and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on this project win.”

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