First Solar Inc. a leading national photovoltaic solar and manufacturing company, is investing $330 million to build a new solar panel production facility in Cherokee County, the company announced Nov. 14
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Arizona, First Solar is one of the largest solar manufacturers in the Western Hemisphere and expects to create 600 new jobs at the facility at 121 Logistics Drive in Gaffney. There it will onshore final production processes for Series 6 modules produced by the company’s international operations.
The company currently operates a distribution center in Duncan in Spartanburg County and has a longstanding partnership with Inland Port Greer. The Gaffney plant become part of what is one of the largest solar technology manufacturing and research and development footprints in the nation and already includes five operating, fully vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in three states, as well as a supply chain that spans the country.
Operations are expected to commence in the second half of 2026.
