ES Foundry announced the completion of a 2GW expansion at its Greenwood solar factory, with the first cell now rolling off the new production line. The move marks a significant capacity increase for the domestic solar manufacturer as it scales up operations.
The expansion brings the plant's total capacity to an unspecified level, though the 2GW addition alone represents a major step. At full capacity, the facility could produce enough solar cells annually to power hundreds of thousands of homes. Demand for US-made solar components has climbed amid federal incentives and supply chain diversification efforts.
The company did not disclose the capital expenditure or construction timeline for the project. However, such expansions typically require months of installation and commissioning before reaching full output. The Greenwood site now hosts two production lines, with the new one focused on high-efficiency cells.
Domestic solar manufacturing has gained momentum under the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers tax credits for both production and deployment. ES Foundry's expansion coincides with a broader push to reduce reliance on imported cells, particularly from Southeast Asia. Trade policy and tariff uncertainties have accelerated reshoring efforts across the solar supply chain.
Critics argue that domestic production still lags far behind demand, and that tariff-driven reshoring could raise panel costs for installers and developers. Without sustained policy support, some analysts warn that US factories may struggle to compete with established Asian manufacturers on price and scale.