Louisiana has secured a $1.1 billion investment from First Solar to build a massive solar manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish. The 3.5 gigawatt plant will create over 700 direct jobs with $80,000 average salaries, plus nearly 700 indirect positions. Construction is underway with shipments expected by mid-2026. The facility will produce twelve solar panels per minute and marks Louisiana’s largest move toward diversifying beyond petroleum industries.
Louisiana has secured a major win for its economy with First Solar‘s announcement of a $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish. The 3.5 gigawatt fully integrated solar manufacturing plant will be the largest capital investment in parish history.
Construction is underway, with commercial shipments expected to begin in the first half of 2026.
Construction is already in progress with First Solar expecting to ship its first products from the Louisiana facility by mid-2026.
The facility will create over 700 direct manufacturing jobs with an average annual salary of $80,000. An additional 694 indirect jobs are expected, bringing approximately 1,400 new jobs to the Acadiana region. By 2026, First Solar will employ more than 4,000 workers across the United States.
The massive factory will span over 2 million square feet and is designed to produce twelve new solar panels every minute. Glass will be transformed into ready-to-ship modules in just 4.5 hours. This plant will boost First Solar’s total US manufacturing capacity to 14 gigawatts by 2026, a significant increase from their 6 gigawatt global capacity in 2020.
First Solar’s Louisiana facility will produce Series 7 modules using tellurium-based semiconductor technology. This approach avoids dependence on Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains.
The company is also investing $370 million in a research and development center in Ohio and will partner with Louisiana’s Solar Energy Lab. This development represents a crucial step in Louisiana’s efforts to diversify beyond petroleum industries. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and other distinguished dignitaries.
State support includes $30 million in performance-based grants for site development. First Solar will also receive LED FastStart workforce training and is expected to participate in Louisiana’s Quality Jobs program.
The company will work with South Louisiana Community College and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for workforce training and research.
The project will generate $20 million for public services over its lifetime, with $8.3 million flowing into the community in the first five years. Annual operational spending of $3.9 million will largely remain in the region.
First Solar has also established a Community Fund for local education and development projects, reinforcing their commitment to responsible solar manufacturing. This initiative aligns with the growing renewable energy sector that is creating jobs at twice the rate of the overall job market worldwide.
