First Solar Opens $1.1 Billion Facility in North Alabama

Penny Townson still remembers the hopeful words of a Lawrence County, Alabama, commissioner when First Solar Inc. first announced plans to build a $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in the town of Trinity.

“The sun is shining on Lawrence County once again,” the commissioner said.

Located between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals, Lawrence County has long aspired to establish itself as a manufacturing hub.

And today, it's home to First Solar’s newly established photovoltaic solar module manufacturing facility.

One of the largest economic development projects in the area, the facility will create more than 700 jobs and bring new opportunities for American solar manufacturing in North Alabama.

“We always knew Lawrence County had great assets, a great workforce, excellent infrastructure,” Townson, TVA’s field consultant of Economic Development in the Alabama region, said.

“To have a company say, ‘You are worth a long-term partnership,’ is a huge validation for this community.”

Local leaders and state economic development partners recently joined teams from TVA and local power company Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corp. in celebrating the inauguration of First Solar’s facility at the Mallard Fox West Industrial Complex.

“As we work to build the energy system of the future – to build tomorrow together – we're grateful for companies like First Solar who build, invest and support clean energy production in the Valley region,” Dan Pratt, TVA senior vice president of customer and community relations, said. “We look forward to continuing TVA’s mission and commitment to serving you.”

The new facility represents American ingenuity and competitiveness at its finest, Georges Antoun, First Solar’s chief commercial officer, said.

“It demonstrates the value that energy technology manufacturing can deliver and redefines how we think of the American energy worker,” Antoun said. “It also firmly establishes Lawrence County and Alabama as an American solar manufacturing hub.”

John Bradley, TVA’s senior vice president of Economic Development, emphasized how the project aligns with TVA's mission of improving lives across the region.

“This project has allowed us to further that mission,” Bradley said. “Our partnership with First Solar signifies a significant step forward in advancing our shared goals toward a clean energy future while fostering new investments and economic opportunities for the region.”

First Solar's innovative technology drew plenty of admiration during the inauguration of the company's new facility in Lawrence County, Alabama. 

Laying the Groundwork

Momentum for this project started in April 2022, when First Solar began searching for a new location to build its fourth manufacturing facility.

The company issued requests for proposals outlining its power, utility and land needs. When TVA target market specialists looked for industrial areas that met these requirements, Lawrence County stood out as a prime location.

Known for its scenic waterfalls and rural landscapes, Lawrence County offers convenient access to major travel corridors, including Interstate 65 and Highway 72.

This logistical advantage – combined with a skilled labor force and affordable, reliable power through Joe Wheeler EMC and TVA – made the county an attractive choice for First Solar.

At the community level, collaborative efforts among TVA, the state of Alabama, Alabama Department of Commerce and Lawrence County Industrial Development Board laid the groundwork for a project of this scale.

They were eager to attract significant investments to the area, having faced some challenges in the past.

In 2014, International Paper permanently closed its Lawrence County mill, resulting in the loss of about 1,100 jobs. This spurred local officials to accelerate the recruiting process for a project like First Solar.

Their hard work paid off in November 2022, when First Solar officially announced plans to establish the Lawrence County facility.

The investment has the potential to transform and sustain this community for generations, Townson said.

“Part of our due diligence is ensuring the company is going to be a beneficial long-term partner for the Valley region,” she said.

First Solar supports rural communities and wants to be part of the clean tech movement, and it has ambitious goals that align with TVA, Townson said.

And the project’s impact extends beyond the initial capital investment and new jobs.

It means added tax revenue for education and good-paying jobs for residents, who can reinvest in their community.

“It’s easy to get excited that 700 people will now have really good-paying jobs,” William West, TVA target market specialist, said. “When you add the multiplier effect where every one job created may create up to two more jobs, this quite honestly could change the entire trajectory of this community.”

The new facility is First Solar’s fourth factory in the U.S. The company also has a research and development center in California.

'All-Around Win'

For TVA, attracting a company like First Solar is a win-win.

Over the past five years, TVA has helped recruit capital investments totaling around $46 billion, which is expected to create more than 100,000 new jobs.

Many of these jobs are in manufacturing facilities for electric vehicles, solar panels or other sectors that support the clean energy transition.

First Solar fits within TVA’s aspiration of 10,000 megawatts of solar by 2035, contributing to the enterprise’s advancement of America’s clean energy future inside the Valley region.

Founded in Ohio and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, First Solar is one of the largest solar manufacturers in the world.

Since launching in 1999, the company has grown its manufacturing footprint in the U.S. from an initial $9.3 million investment to a cumulative investment of over $4 billion, spanning across its California research and development center, three factories in Ohio and now its fourth factory, in Lawrence County.

The company’s domestic production will significantly reduce dependence on foreign-made solar panels and shorten supply chains for American companies seeking solar power.

“Our neighbors will look to our region when they need solar panels,” West said. “And that just adds to the economic impact. It’s an all-around win for everybody.”

But perhaps the most profound impact is the optimism of families that will now have greater opportunities for jobs, economic growth, stability and community revitalization.

That was evidenced by the cheers and applause at First Solar’s inauguration.

As the sun shines on Lawrence County, TVA will continue fulfilling its mission of economic development through affordable, reliable, resilient and clean energy for all who call the Valley region home.

“That’s what it all comes down to,” Townson said. “When people thrive, communities thrive – and opportunities open up for more people to find out just how wonderful life in the Valley region really is.”

Photo Gallery

Lawrence County commissioner Bobby Burch signs a solar panel at the new facility.

An American flag hangs inside First Solar's Lawrence County site during a tour for visitors.

Dan Pratt, TVA senior vice president of customer and community relations, speaks to attendees at the inauguration.

Lawrence County’s convenient access to major travel corridors is a logistical advantage for First Solar’s new production facility.

Among those at the facility's inauguration, from left: Chris Hansen, TVA vice president of Origination and Renewables; Matt Kisber, Board chair of Silicon Ranch; Reagan Farr, CEO of Silicon Ranch; Vikas Anand, CEO of Origis Energy; Ying Ayliffe, TVA director of Origination and Utility-Scale Solar; Peter Candelaria, CEO of Urban Grid; Roger Bredder, head of business development with First Solar; Dan Pratt, TVA senior vice president of customer and community relations.