ES Foundry Lands 1 GW+ Deal, Boosting U.S. Solar Manufacturing
U.S.-based solar cell producer ES Foundry has secured a significant multi-year contract with a top-tier solar module manufacturer. The deal, worth over 1 GW, marks a milestone in the company's expansion and the growth of domestic solar manufacturing in the U.S.
The contract, a GW+, was signed with a leading module manufacturer known for its innovation and market leadership. Although the name of the partner has not been officially disclosed, industry experts speculate it could be one of the global market leaders such as First Solar, JinkoSolar, or Trina Solar.
The first shipment under this contract is expected next month, originating from ES Foundry's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in South Carolina, which began production this month. This facility, employing 100 people currently, is set to scale up to 500 by the end of the year. Initially operating at a capacity of 1 GW annually, it aims to reach 3 GW by the third quarter of 2025, with plans to incorporate TopCon and HJT technologies in future expansion.
The opening of ES Foundry's facility in South Carolina in the third quarter of 2024 marked the first U.S. cell manufacturing plant since 2019. Several other manufacturers are now planning to produce cells domestically. With ES Foundry's current full capacity, the U.S. can now produce enough solar modules to meet nearly all its demand, which is projected to be 40.5 GWdc in 2024.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has significantly boosted domestic solar module manufacturing in the U.S., with production nearly quintupling since its passage. ES Foundry's solar cells, qualifying for the domestic content bonus, are crystalline bifacial passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) cells. This latest contract further strengthens the U.S. solar supply chain and enhances its resilience.
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