# First Solar investing in U.S. $1.2 billion to expand factory footprint

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/09/first-solar-u-s-1-2-billion-factory-footprint/
- Published: 2022-09-15T03:01:37-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Well let’s hear it for the idea of First Solar building in the U.S..

[⌊First solar u.s. ⌉⌊First solar u.s. ⌉[

Tue, August 30, 2022, 5:47 AM·3 min read

Well folks according to [Akiko Fujita](https://www.yahoo.com/author/akiko-fujita)
over at [Yahoo News](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-solar-to-invest-12-billion-in-new-solar-facility-094525207.html)
there’s some good solar News coming to the USA. For First Solar ([FSLR](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/FSLR?p=FSLR&.tsrc=fin-srch))
is [making](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/visually-appealing-solar-modules-architectural-elements-building-facades/)
a $1.2 billion investment. All into [expanding](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/principal-solar-inc-psww-launches-worlds-first-solar-energy-library/)
its factory footprint in the United States. That’s providing a tailwind to President
Biden’s push to accelerate domestic [manufacturing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/04/what-is-driving-the-global-adoption-of-solar/)
and reduce America’s [reliance](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/11/solar-one-nyc-economic-development-corporation-council-member-dan-garodnick-break-ground-on-solar-ones-environmental-education-center/)
on Chinese supply chains.

As I reported [before](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/first-solar-inc-seeks-more-rooftops-as-utility-plants-shrink/)!

So First Solar Inc. ([FSLR](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/08/nebraskans-install-first-solar-panels-inside-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-route/))
is the largest U.S. solar-panel maker. They are boosting its efforts to install 
systems at industrial sites. Furthermore, warehouses as utilities demand for smaller
[solar farms](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/eco-friendly-fire-drapes-how-to-choose-them-and-why-they-are-great/).

Pursuing smaller [projects](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/data-reveals-popular-months-solar-power-applications-long-island/)
and customer-sited systems may increase sales as much as 36 percent. That’s expected
over the next three years. This comes from Chief Executive Officer Jim Hughes.

The First solar manufacturer headquartered in the U.S., has plans to invest $1 billion
in a new fully vertically integrated factory. All based in the [Southeast](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/07/urban-solar-awarded-contract-by-city-of-tempe-for-solar-lighting-installations/)
and an additional $185 million for upgrading and expanding its existing footprint
in northwest Ohio.

![Commercial real estate “Efforts to capture the power of the sun at a reasonable
cost continue to evolve, positioning solar energy as one of the hottest topics around
the world and creating the need for straightforward information and perspectives
that improve upon the renewable energy exchange of ideas,” says Michael Gorton, 
CEO and president of Principal Solar, Inc. “By defining the issues, collecting and
distributing information, the Definitive Solar Library will serve as a valuable 
educational outpost for leaders of government, business and academia. It will also
be accessible to consumers who want to join the dialogue.” In conjunction with launch
of the Library, Principal Solar today released two white papers:](https://i0.wp.
com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_1520.jpg?resize=420%2C105&
quality=52&ssl=1)

The move allows the company to expand its solar [capacity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/03/wolverine-to-add-largest-solar-array-in-northern-michigan-wolverine-power/)
for First Solar U.S. to 10 [gigawatts](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/02/tiu-canada-commissions-10-7-megawatt-solar-energy-plant-in-nikopol-video/)
over the next three years. For that’s enough to produce a solar panel every 1.6 
seconds, [according](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/first-solar-inc-seeks-more-rooftops-as-utility-plants-shrink/)
to First Solar U.S CEO Mark Widmar.

#### Even 2013

So First Solar Inc. ([FSLR](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/08/nebraskans-install-first-solar-panels-inside-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-route/))
is the largest U.S. solar-panel maker. They are boosting its efforts to install 
systems at industrial sites. Furthermore, warehouses as utilities demand for smaller
solar farms.

Pursuing smaller projects and customer-sited systems may increase sales as much 
as 36 percent. That’s expected over the next three years. This comes from Chief 
Executive Officer Jim Hughes.

The [company](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/how-to-build-a-sustainable-company-from-the-ground-up/)
got 65 percent of its 2013 sales from selling large solar farms to utilities. That’s
a [market that’s slowing in the First Solar](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/solar-water-heater-market-to-hit-5-1-billion-by-2034/)
U.S. as power companies meet state requirements. Also, you then don’t need to buy
more solar energy. Consequently, Hughes is seeking deals in other [regions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/01/alfa-laval-wins-another-large-solar-power-order-this/)
including Saudi Arabia, India and South America. Finally expecting higher demand
in the U.S. from commercial and

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
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