Plans underway for a solar panel manufacturing facility in Ohio, with an estimated investment of US$ 200 million
In the heart of Ohio, Invenergy, one of the largest solar power developers in the USA with an installed capacity of 7GW, is set to establish a significant presence in the domestic solar industry. The Chicago-based company is planning to construct a $600 million solar panel manufacturing plant near Pataskala, about 20 miles east of Columbus in Licking County.
The plant, spanning over a 1.1 million square foot facility, will serve as Invenergy's anchor customer. It's expected to have a 5-GW annual capacity, making it a significant addition to the country's solar manufacturing capabilities.
Invenergy's collaboration with Chinese solar equipment company LONGi will play a crucial role in the project's development. The plant's capacity is reported to be over half the capacity of all utility-scale solar installations made in the United States last year, according to JobsOhio.
The manufacturing plant is expected to support 150 union construction jobs during its construction phase. The project's timeline indicates that construction will commence in April, with the Sloopy Solar project in Clark County, Ohio, targeted to begin construction in 2028 after public feedback and regulatory review by the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB).
Invenergy's developments in Ohio, including the 240-MW Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center under construction since mid-2025, contribute to the broader growth of the U.S. domestic solar industry. These projects increase clean energy generation capacity, create jobs, and advance supply chain activities.
The Biden administration is aiming to expand domestic manufacturing in the solar industry, and Invenergy's initiatives reflect this growing trend. The Inflation Reduction Act of last year provided tax credits for U.S. solar equipment makers and extended tax incentives for the use of solar equipment. These measures are expected to further boost the domestic solar industry's growth.
Art Fletcher, Invenergy's executive vice president of global sourcing, stated that the company recognizes the importance of having a strong domestic supply chain to meet the fast-growing demand for affordable solar power. Invenergy's commitment to domestic solar manufacturing aligns with the Biden administration's goals, aiming to reach a domestic solar production capacity of 22.5 GW in 2029, up from 7.5 GW in 2021.
Invenergy's active project construction and planning activity in Ohio strongly indicate growth and expansion contributing to the solar supply chain and industry domestically. The company, which was voted ENR Midwest's 2022 Owner of the Year, continues to lead the way in the U.S. solar industry.
Sources:
- Invenergy's Sloopy Solar Project Targets 2028 Start in Ohio
- Invenergy's Ohio Solar Projects Point to Domestic Solar Industry Growth
- Meta Platforms Signs Clean Energy Contracts with Invenergy Totaling 1,800 MW
- The upcoming construction of Invenergy's solar panel manufacturing plant in Licking County, Ohio, leverages technology to bolster the domestic solar industry, with a 5-GW annual capacity expected to positively impact the country's solar manufacturing capabilities.
- The significant investment in the construction of Invenergy's solar factory will create 150 union construction jobs during its construction phase, underscoring the company's commitment to domestic solar technology development and employment growth.
