Solar Company Invests $350M, Creates 564 Jobs in South Carolina

Suniva is investing $350 million to build a cutting-edge solar cell factory in Laurens, South Carolina, creating 564 full-time jobs and boosting America's clean energy independence.

The facility will produce enough solar cells annually to power millions of homes. When it opens in 2027, the plant will manufacture 4.5 gigawatts worth of advanced solar components each year, bringing Suniva's total production capacity to over 5.5 gigawatts across its two locations.

This expansion tackles a critical gap in American manufacturing. While the U.S. has plenty of factories that assemble solar panels, we've struggled to produce the internal components those panels need, forcing manufacturers to rely on imports from overseas.

Suniva sells its solar cells to smaller American companies that assemble panels. These partnerships help U.S. manufacturers qualify for federal tax credits designed to reward domestic production, making American-made solar more competitive.

The company's story makes this announcement even more remarkable. Founded in 2007 using technology developed at Georgia Tech with U.S. Department of Energy funding, Suniva filed for bankruptcy in 2017 when cheap imports flooded the market.

The company sat dormant for years before announcing its restart in late 2023. New federal manufacturing incentives gave Suniva the boost it needed to rebuild, and by early 2025, the Georgia facility was shipping its first cells again.

The Ripple Effect

This factory represents more than jobs and investment in one South Carolina county. It strengthens America's entire solar supply chain at a crucial moment.

Right now, U.S. module assembly capacity has surged past 65 gigawatts, but domestic cell manufacturing sits below 10% of that volume. This massive imbalance creates a strategic vulnerability where American-made panels depend on foreign components.

As new rules tighten supply chain requirements through 2027, small and mid-sized U.S. solar companies need reliable domestic sources for components. Without them, many would struggle to access federal tax bonuses that make their products competitive.

Suniva's expansion provides exactly that lifeline. CEO Tony Etnyre noted that domestically produced renewable energy will help secure America's energy future, giving manufacturers and consumers more control over where their power comes from.

South Carolina has emerged as a clean energy manufacturing hub, attracting investments from technology and automotive companies. The state's support for Suniva's project continues that momentum, creating economic opportunity while building the infrastructure for cleaner energy.

This factory proves that American manufacturing can compete, innovate, and come back stronger than ever.