NorSun invests $620 million to build solar wafer manufacturing plant in Oklahoma
NorSun has announced plans to establish its first U.S. facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Norwegian solar energy company will invest $620 million into the project, creating 320 new jobs in the process. According to NorSun, the manufacturing plant will produce 5 GW silicon ingot and solar wafers and help meet increasing demand from U.S. solar cell and panel manufacturers. Construction is expected to begin in 2024, with production starting in 2026.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, NorSun CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre said, “Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a partner who can work fast and efficiently to meet the critical need for American-made energy. Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection journey – its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs were already on our radar, and its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options solidified our decision.”
Governor Kevin Stitt added, “I’m proud to welcome NorSun to Oklahoma, and I’m thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa area and a $620 million capital investment. Our pro-growth policies, workforce development efforts, and ‘more of everything’ energy approach makes us an incredible state to invest in, and I’m glad NorSun can be a part of it.”
Manufacturers investing in Oklahoma
GF Central Plastics begins construction on $30 million manufacturing plant in Oklahoma
When operational, the new facility will house GF Central Plastics’ gas meter fabrication department.
Canoo receives $113 million in incentives to open vehicle manufacturing plants in Oklahoma
As part of the agreement, Canoo will receive payments from the Quality Jobs program and the Quick Action Closing Fund, as well as training support.
ABB consolidates instrumentation manufacturing and expands Oklahoma facility
As part of the consolidation, ABB will close its Warminster, Pennsylvania instrumentation factory in 2025.
Learn more about solar energy
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Investing in American manufacturing in 2024
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn