GAFFNEY, S.C. — A $330 million solar manufacturing plant in Cherokee County has begun operating, with approximately 500 workers already employed and nearly 200 more positions expected as a second phase moves toward completion next year.
First Solar inaugurated the first phase of the Gaffney facility on Oct. 28, less than a year after selecting the South Carolina site. Rather than beginning every manufacturing step locally, the plant completes production of the company’s Series 6 Plus thin-film solar modules after earlier processes take place at its facilities abroad.
The plant adds manufacturing jobs in Gaffney while relying on First Solar’s overseas facilities for earlier stages of production.
From 500 jobs to nearly 700
The new plant is located at 121 Logistics Drive in Gaffney. Its initial phase has annual nameplate production capacity of approximately 1.7 gigawatts. First Solar expects to double that to 3.4 gigawatts when the second phase is completed around mid-2027, while increasing staffing to nearly 700…