First Solar, a thin-film solar panel manufacturer with tens of gigawatts of manufacturing capacity in the United States, has been announcing exclusive panel supply agreements with U.S. solar developers over the last few year. And in April this year, Summit Ridge Energy announced a 1.2-GW order for Qcells silicon solar panels, which the Korean company will largely supply with stock coming out of its eventual 8.4-GW manufacturing campus in Georgia. These partnerships are wonderful for expanding domestic manufacturing and onshoring supply chains.
This week, at an event attended by U.S. Sec. of Energy Jennifer Granholm, community solar developer Nexamp announced a five-year, 1.5-GW panel order with Heliene, a smaller manufacturing outlet with factories in Ontario and Minnesota. This deal will allow Heliene to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity past its existing ~700 MW limit.
“We are grateful for the partnership that Heliene and Nexamp are forging to bring the solar supply chain back to the United States,” said Sec. Granholm during yesterday’s event. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, companies like Nexamp [and Heliene] can make investments that boost American manufacturing and create American jobs, while lowering families’ energy bills. President Biden has said ‘enough’ to watching jobs leaving the country — now, America is the irresistible nation for new clean energy investment.”
Heliene’s solar panel factory in Minnesota. Credit: Solar Power World
Nexamp will use the solar modules in about 400 new community solar projects across the United States. Heliene expanded its Minnesota facility in November 2022 and has additional expansions planned for September 2023 to increase manufacturing capacity of domestic solar modules, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act through the extension and expansion of investment tax credits for clean energy resources.
In addition to increasing the manufacturing capacity of domestic solar modules, Nexamp and Heliene’s partnership will support additional research and development and create nearly 1,000 green jobs throughout the Iron Range region (Minnesota) to support local economic growth.
“Nexamp is proud to partner with a North American solar manufacturer to help foster a more resilient supply chain, create green jobs throughout the Midwest, and accelerate the transition to a more just, secure, and resilient energy future,” said Zaid Ashai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nexamp. “A solar order of this size is without precedent and comes at a critical time as the U.S. continues to develop its solar supply chain. This partnership wouldn’t be possible without the Inflation Reduction Act, and is proof that this historic piece of legislation is continuing to encourage renewable energy production and help drive the energy transition.”
“This strategic partnership with Nexamp is an essential milestone for Heliene as we continue to expand our U.S. manufacturing footprint and domestic workforce. The well-designed incentives and the industrial policy included in the IRA will drive continued growth of solar projects and this partnership puts Heliene and Nexamp on track to meet demand with high-quality, domestically manufactured solar modules,” said Martin Pochtaruk, President of Heliene. “This historic order also enables Heliene to maintain its commitment to creating good paying manufacturing jobs in the U.S. solar industry.”
