South Carolina Solar Factory to Create 167 Jobs

A brand new solar panel factory is opening its doors in Summerville, South Carolina, creating 167 good jobs and marking a major step forward for American clean energy manufacturing.

Translucent Energy is investing $15.6 million in the 280,000 square foot facility, which will produce enough solar panels each year to power roughly 100,000 homes. The factory expects to start shipping panels in December, ramping up to full production of 600 to 800 megawatts in its first year.

The timing couldn't be better. Recent federal incentives are encouraging companies to build solar equipment here at home rather than importing it from overseas. Translucent Energy designed its supply chain to use mostly American components, with backup suppliers in Turkey, reducing dependence on Southeast Asian sources that face trade restrictions.

The factory will produce three types of solar panels tailored to different needs. Utility companies will get large 710 to 730 watt panels for solar farms. Businesses can install medium sized 630 to 650 watt units on warehouses and office buildings. Homeowners will have access to compact 450 to 470 watt residential panels that pack serious power into a smaller footprint.

What makes this facility special is its flexibility. The brand new equipment can handle multiple panel sizes and different cell technologies, from standard n-type cells to advanced heterojunction designs. That versatility means the factory can adapt as solar technology continues improving.

Chief Technology Officer Dr. Nabih Cherradi is currently overseeing final testing of the assembly equipment at the manufacturer's site. Once approved, the machinery arrives in Summerville in October, with workers ready to start training and production.

The Ripple Effect

This factory represents just the beginning of Translucent Energy's vision for American solar manufacturing. Managing Director Augustus Rylands says the company plans to eventually produce solar cells and wafers in the United States too, not just assemble finished panels.

Those 167 new jobs mean 167 families with steady paychecks in the Summerville community. Beyond direct employment, the factory will support trucking companies, maintenance workers, and local businesses that serve the facility and its employees.

Every panel leaving this factory helps two causes at once. It strengthens American manufacturing while providing clean energy that fights climate change. Project developers can now source domestic panels that qualify for federal tax bonuses, making solar projects more financially attractive.

South Carolina is joining the clean energy manufacturing boom, proving that going green and bringing jobs home can happen together.