Solarix invests $63M to open solar module manufacturing facility in Virginia
Solarix has announced plans to establish a solar module manufacturing facility in Forest, Virginia. The company, which specializes in advanced solar manufacturing, will invest $63 million into the project, creating 104 new jobs in the process. Solarix hopes its new 423,553-square-foot facility, which used to be a TEVA Pharmaceutical building, will support the state’s renewable energy supply needs while reducing reliance on manufacturers from other countries. Production is expected to begin in 2025. During phase two of the project, Solarix plans to introduce a Solar Module Recycling program that will allow manufacturers to donate their old or broken solar panels.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Carlos Class, CEO and Co-Founder of Solarix, said, “As a 100% American-owned and managed company, we are immensely proud to contribute to our nation’s energy independence. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality, most reliable, and affordable solar modules in the industry. By reclaiming control of our supply chain from foreign manufacturers, we are safeguarding our electric grid infrastructure, ensuring its resilience for decades to come. This is not just a business endeavor; it is a commitment to U.S. national security and a sustainable future.”
Senator Mark Peake added, “I am thrilled to learn that the Teva Building has been sold and would like to warmly welcome Solarix to Forest! This new venture promises significant economic growth, with 104 new job opportunities and capital investments of upwards of $60 million. This development is a testament to Central Virginia’s vibrant business environment and our community's potential for innovation and growth. We look forward to the positive impact Solarix will have on our local economy and the opportunities it will create for our residents.”
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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.
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