First Solar Plans to Expand Production in NW Ohio

First Solar, Inc. will invest $680 million to expand America’s domestic photovoltaic (PV) solar manufacturing capacity by 3.3 gigawatts annually.

The company intends to expand its capability via construction of its third US manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, Ohio.

Unique among the world’s ten largest solar manufacturers for being the only US-headquartered company and for not using a crystalline silicon semiconductor, First Solar produces ultra-low carbon thin film PV modules using a fully integrated, continuous process under one roof.

The new 1.8 million square foot 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 US.