PV solar technology and manufacturing company First Solar inaugurated its new fully vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The $1.1 billion facility spans approximately 2.4 million square feet and currently employs over 700 people, with plans to expand to 826 employees by the end of the year.
The Iberia Parish facility began production in July 2025. Once fully ramped, the company expects the site to add 3.5 gigawatts of annual nameplate capacity.
The factory makes First Solar’s Series 7 modules using U.S. materials, including glass from Illinois and Ohio and steel produced in Mississippi and fabricated into backrails in Louisiana.
“This is more than just a manufacturing facility," First Solar CEO Mark Widmar said. "It’s a commitment to American energy dominance, affordable electricity, growth and prosperity."
An economic impact analysis conducted by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and commissioned by the Iberia Economic Development Authority (IEDA) projects the new facility to grow Iberia Parish’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 4.4% in its first full year of operations at capacity.
The AI-enabled facility uses computer vision and deep learning to automatically detect defects in solar panels during production, while technicians and operators leverage AI-powered tools to make operating adjustments and guide decision making.
“This is one of the most advanced solar manufacturing facilities in the world,” Chief Manufacturing Officer Kuntal Kumar Verma said. “Along with its sister facilities in Ohio and Alabama, this factory demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to help American factory workers reach their full potential."
First Solar also recently announced an investment in a new production line in Gaffney, South Carolina, to onshore final production processes for Series 6 modules initiated by its international fleet. The company expects this project to increase its U.S. workforce to more than 5,500 by the end of 2026 and contribute to nearly $4.5 billion in U.S. manufacturing and R&D infrastructure investments since 2019.
