Starting immediately, solar panel assembly company Mission Solar Energy will expand its manufacturing capacity in Texas to 1 GW. The company currently operates a 300-MW annual capacity plant in San Antonio at a mixed-use community located on the former Brooks Air Force Base. Mission Solar will increase capacity at its existing site situated on 86 acres and expects to reach its 1-GW goal by 2024.
Credit: Mission Solar Energy
“By 2035, solar installations are expected to quadruple from current levels. At present, 4% of the electricity fed to American energy grids is generated by solar. The U.S. aims to have 40% of its electricity generated by solar technology by 2035. These are exciting opportunities for us as a company. Additional motivated team members will be needed to help us build a greener future,” said Jae Yang, President and CEO of Mission Solar Energy.
Mission Solar has been making solar panels in the United States since 2014 and is owned by OCI Company, a South Korean chemical conglomerate that is involved with solar project development and polysilicon production. OCI’s solar panel division was formed to produce solar panels using OCI’s materials for OCI Solar Power projects in Texas. Mission Solar has since worked through solar panel distribution channels and largely supplies the U.S. residential market today.
Credit: Mission Solar Energy
Mission Solar once made solar cells in the United States but closed those manufacturing lines in 2016. A press release stated that OCI will continue to provide polysilicon for Mission solar modules into 2023 and beyond, but no word on where the cells will be made.
Mission Solar said that the recent passage of manufacturing credits in the Inflation Reduction Act is the driving force behind the company increasing manufacturing capacity and employment in Texas.
See a list of U.S. solar panel manufacturing companies here.
