July 17 (Reuters) – Several leading Chinese solar panel manufacturers are establishing operations in the United States, spurred by new clean energy manufacturing subsidies under President Joe Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Here are some notable investments:
ILLUMINATE USA
Illuminate, a joint venture between Chinese solar equipment maker Longi and U.S. clean energy project developer Invenergy, began producing solar panels at a five-gigawatt plant in Pataskala, Ohio, in February. The plant, aiming for full capacity by the end of 2024, will employ 1,000 workers. Illuminate is investing $600 million in equipment, raw materials, salaries, and staff training and is considering expansion into cell manufacturing.
TRINA SOLAR
Trina is investing $200 million in a five-GW solar module plant in Wilmer, Texas, set to start production this year and create 1,500 jobs. Trina, a supplier to the U.S. market for nearly two decades, is finalizing a location for a five-GW U.S. cell factory to supply its Texas plant.
JINKO SOLAR
Jinko opened a 400-megawatt panel factory in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2018. Last year, the company announced plans to spend $52 million to triple its capacity and create 250 additional jobs by the end of 2026. An expansion ceremony in April revealed the plant would soon employ 600 people.
JA SOLAR
JA Solar is investing $60 million in a two-GW panel plant in Phoenix, Arizona, expected to create over 600 jobs and begin production this year.
RUNERGY
Runergy is constructing a five-GW solar module plant in Huntsville, Alabama, in a former DVD manufacturing facility. The factory, set to begin product shipments this summer, will create 800 jobs. Runergy is considering further U.S. investments that could add 1,500 more jobs.
BOVIET SOLAR
Boviet is investing $294 million in solar cell and module factories in Greenville, North Carolina. The two-GW module plant is expected to start production in early 2025 in a former automotive component facility. Boviet plans a new factory to produce two GW of cells, starting production in 2026. These investments will create 908 jobs. Founded in Vietnam in 2013, Boviet was acquired by China’s Boway Alloy in 2016.
HOUNEN SOLAR
Hounen Solar is investing $33 million in a one-GW factory in Orangeburg, South Carolina, creating 200 jobs.
