Suniva, Inc. to open new South Carolina solar cell factory

Suniva, Inc., a solar cell manufacturer, announced April 14 that it would establish a new 4.5GW solar cell manufacturing site in Laurens, South Carolina. The company will pay $350 million to lease a 620,000 square foot building and employ 564 workers to make solar cells there. According to a company statement, the second factory will bring Suniva’s combined U.S. capacity to 5.5GW by 2027, when the factory is expected to be fully operational. The company’s existing manufacturing site is in Georgia.

According to a statement from the South Carolina governor’s office, the state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development cleared job development credits related to the product, but state officials did not disclose how much.

Suniva was founded in 2007 out of Department of Energy-funded research at Georgia Tech University. In a statement, CEO Tony Etnyre characterized his company as a “champion” of increasing the United States’ supply on renewable energy.

What people are saying

Suniva has long championed U.S. leadership in solar manufacturing,” said Tony Etnyre, Suniva CEO. “Solar energy is the fastest and most economical way to grow our nation’s energy supply. Our expansion means that domestically produced renewable energy will do more than ever to secure America’s energy future. We are proud to partner with the state of South Carolina on this vital initiative.”

“At this moment in history, the question of where our energy comes from — and who controls the supply chain that delivers it — is among the most consequential questions America faces,” said Suniva President and COO, Matt Card. “Suniva’s answer is straightforward: we build it here. With this expansion, Suniva contributes over 5.5GW of American-made solar cell capacity annually to a grid that increasingly depends on it. That’s not just good business. That’s a national imperative.”

“With the addition of 564 jobs in advanced manufacturing and energy, Suniva’s decision to put down roots in the Palmetto State will create new opportunities for our workforce,” said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. “This investment strengthens our commitment to innovative energy solutions, and we are proud to welcome Suniva to Laurens County.”

Manufacturers investing in South Carolina

Signature Foods USA to build new $11.5 million food factory in South Carolina
The Netherlands-owned company will build its first U.S. prepared foods factory in Easley, South Carolina.

TSEA Energy to build new voltage regulator factory in North Carolina
The $25 million plant is expected to create 160 jobs.

Cheney Brothers to expand South Carolina food factory
The expansion at the existing site will create 85 new jobs and cost $42.5 million.