Suniva is boosting its domestic production with plans for a new 4.5 GW solar cell plant in South Carolina, a move that will make it the largest solar cell producer in the United States by annual capacity.
The company said Tuesday it has entered into agreements to develop a 620,000-square-foot facility in Lawrence, with operations expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Combined with Suniva’s existing metro Atlanta facility, the expansion is expected to raise its US solar production capacity to more than 5.5 GW annually.
The project involves an investment of more than $350 million and is expected to create more than 550 jobs, adding to a broader wave of US clean energy production announcements tied to efforts to localize supply chains and reduce reliance on imported equipment. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said the project will create 564 manufacturing and energy jobs in Laurens County.
An important development is Suniva’s decision to add a large cell manufacturing capacity in South Carolina at a time when solar energy production has become increasingly tied to questions of industrial policy, grid reliability, and energy security. The company created this initiative as a direct response to the increase in demand for electric power in the US and the need for domestically controlled chains.
Suniva emphasized its status as a US-owned and operated solar cell manufacturer, setting it apart from competitors from other countries that assemble products domestically. That commitment is a cornerstone of the company as Washington and state governments continue to support the development of marine energy technologies.
The expansion also reflects a broader trend in the US solar sector, where companies are rushing to build local capacity across the value chain, from modules and cells to advanced installations, as developers and policymakers seek to reduce exposure to foreign supply disruptions and national risks. In South Carolina, the project adds another generation of energy investment to the Southeast Corridor that has become increasingly attractive to industrial expansion and clean technology.
Founded in 2007 as a result of research at Georgia Tech’s University Center for Excellence in Photovoltaics, Suniva said the new facility will strengthen its role in the US solar supply chain as utilities, businesses, and households look to renewable energy devices that are available locally.
By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com
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