News Summary
Greenwood, South Carolina, has inaugurated the new ES Foundry manufacturing facility, a significant step in U.S. solar energy production. Covering 400,000 square feet, this facility aims to create 500 local jobs by mid-2025 while enhancing domestic capabilities in solar cell production. The facility boasts plans for 3 GW shipment capacity by late 2025 and aligns with national renewable energy goals. With the push for American-made solar solutions, this landmark investment underscores the region’s role in the clean energy movement.
Greenwood Welcomes Historic Solar Manufacturing Facility
Greenwood, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as the city proudly inaugurates the newest manufacturing facility from ES Foundry, marking a pivotal point in U.S. solar energy production. On January 31, 2025, the state-of-the-art facility, sprawling over an impressive 400,000 square feet, officially opened its doors!
Jobs Galore: A Boost for Local Employment
What does this mean for the residents? By June 2025, ES Foundry is set to hire around 500 local individuals, boosting the job market and providing families with new opportunities. This expansion signifies not just a win for the company, but a major win for the community as well!
Leading the Charge in Clean Energy
ES Foundry has big dreams—hoping to become the top producer of high-quality crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar cells in the U.S. With plans to achieve an impressive shipment capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW) of solar cells by the third quarter of 2025, the facility is poised to play a vital role in addressing supply chain challenges that have long plagued the industry.
Shining a Light on Renewable Energy Initiatives
The grand opening attracted numerous industry leaders, local officials, and enthusiastic advocates for renewable energy, all eager to witness the high-volume manufacturing process firsthand. This exciting development is expected to contribute significantly toward the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)‘s ambitious goal of reaching 100 GW of renewable energy manufacturing capacity by 2030, which includes a phenomenal 50 GW dedicated to solar production.
Strategic Partnerships and Economic Impact
Notably, ES Foundry has secured its first multi-year contract aimed at delivering over 1 GW of production capacity with a prestigious solar module manufacturer. This strategic move underscores the growing recognition of the necessity for American-made solar cells, especially as businesses look to benefit from the domestic content Investment Tax Credit (ITC) incentives.
Cutting-Edge Technology on the Assembly Line
The facility employs innovative technology—specifically, crystalline bifacial passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cells. This cutting-edge approach meets the surging demand for domestically produced solar modules, a crucial step toward a greener future.
Big Economic Aspirations for the Solar Industry
By 2035, South Carolina is expected to witness a remarkable economic impact of $19 billion attributed to the solar industry. The forecasts indicate that the economic reach of the sector will grow from $306.6 million in 2024 to nearly $1.4 billion by 2035! This booming industry would also create around 3,315 permanent jobs, generating an annual labor income of about $260.9 million.
A Legacy of Innovation
Building on the site of what was once a Fujifilm facility, ES Foundry has transitioned it into modern cleanroom operations designed to produce solar cells. The immediate goal is to ramp up to a 1 GW capacity by March 2025, with plans in place to reach that ambitious 3 GW capacity by the third quarter of the same year.
Strategically Positioned for Success
Greenwood was strategically chosen for its solid existing manufacturing base and access to a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. This choice highlights the area’s attractiveness for investment, proving once again that local communities can play a crucial role in advancing the clean energy movement.
In Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
As the solar industry continues to evolve and domestic content regulations shift, ES Foundry stands ready to answer the call for more energy security and job creation in the region. The grand opening marks more than just the launch of a facility; it’s a beacon of hope for sustainable energy, local employment, and advancements toward a greener tomorrow.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Columbia Strengthens Trade Relations with Canada
South Carolina and Canada Forge $5 Billion Trade Partnership
Greenwood County Sees Economic Growth with Job Opportunities
Manufacturers in South Carolina Adapt to Tariff Changes
ES Foundry Opens Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility in Greenwood
Additional Resources
- PR Newswire: ES Foundry Launches New Solar Cell Factory
- Wikipedia: Solar Energy
- Power Technology: ES Foundry Opens New Solar Facility
- Google Search: US Solar Manufacturing
- Solar Power World: America’s Largest Silicon Solar Cell Manufacturer Opens
- Google Scholar: Solar Cell Manufacturing in USA
- Solar Builder: ES Foundry Opens First Pure-Play Solar Cell Plant in U.S.
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Solar Energy Manufacturing
- The Well News: South Carolina Firm Poised to Become Largest Solar Cell Maker in US
- Google News: Greenwood South Carolina Solar Manufacturing
Author: HERE Greenwood
The HERE Greenwood Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenwood community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenwood Our team includes lifelong Greenwood residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listing of the historic Grier Building, Greenwood’s railroad and textile heritage, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Piedmont Technical College programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
