First Solar Inaugurates $1.1B AI-Enabled Manufacturing Facility in Louisiana

Published on Monday, November 24, 2025 by Nicole Shakir, Managing Editor of Expansion Solutions Magazine

First Solar Inaugurates New $1.1 Billion AI-Enabled Louisiana Manufacturing Facility

New facility creates over 800 manufacturing jobs and strengthens U.S. solar supply chain

IBERIA PARISH, La. — First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR), America’s largest solar manufacturer, has officially inaugurated its new $1.1 billion, fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish. The milestone marks the company’s fifth operational U.S. plant and one of the most advanced solar production sites in the world, powered by next-generation automation and artificial intelligence.

Spanning 2.4 million square feet—roughly 11 times the size of the New Orleans Superdome—the cutting-edge facility currently employs more than 700 workers and is expected to reach 826 employees by year-end. Once fully operational, the site will add 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of annual production capacity, contributing to First Solar’s forecast of 14 GW of U.S. capacity in 2026 and 17.7 GW in 2027, when its newly announced South Carolina facility comes online.

The Iberia Parish plant began production ahead of schedule in July 2025, accelerated by strong market demand created by national energy policy shifts and increased emphasis on American-made, FEOC-compliant solar technology. The facility uses American-sourced materials, including glass from Illinois and Ohio, and Mississippi-produced steel fabricated into backrails in Louisiana—ensuring a fully domestic, crystalline-silicon-independent supply chain.

Economic Impact on Iberia Parish and Louisiana

According to an economic analysis by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for the Iberia Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the facility is projected to increase Iberia Parish’s GDP by 4.4% during its first full year of operations. Manufacturing roles at the plant offer average annual compensation of $90,000, more than triple the parish’s per capita income, marking one of the most significant workforce boosts in the region’s recent history.

Governor Jeff Landry celebrated the facility’s opening, stating:

“First Solar’s investment is already delivering real results for Iberia Parish and the surrounding region with hundreds of good-paying jobs and new opportunities for Louisiana workers and businesses. This project strengthens American energy dominance and reinforces Louisiana’s long-standing legacy as an energy leader.”

AI-Driven Advanced Manufacturing

The new facility represents a major leap forward for U.S. solar manufacturing. Powered by AI, deep learning, and computer vision, the production line automatically identifies panel defects in real time. Operators and technicians use AI-enabled tools to optimize performance, streamline decision-making, and maximize efficiency throughout the manufacturing process.

First Solar CEO Mark Widmar emphasized the facility’s national significance:

“This is more than just a manufacturing facility. It’s a commitment to American energy dominance, affordable electricity, growth, and prosperity. By producing solar technology in America with American materials and American jobs, we’re proving that U.S. reindustrialization is not an aspiration—it’s reality.”

Louisiana’s Growing Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem

LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois highlighted the project’s broader impact:

“First Solar’s investment in Iberia Parish reinforces Louisiana’s leadership in energy and advanced manufacturing. By pairing cutting-edge technology with our world-class workforce, this facility fuels lasting opportunities and enhances American energy security.”

Leaders across Acadiana also celebrated the win:

Michael J. Tarantino, President & CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation:
“Today marks a transformative moment for Iberia Parish. We are proud to welcome First Solar and look forward to seeing ‘Made in Iberia Parish, Louisiana’ become a hallmark of American energy manufacturing.”

Troy Wayman, President & CEO of One Acadiana

“This project brings quality jobs, significant economic activity, and momentum for both our manufacturing and energy sectors. It represents a major milestone for our region.”

First Solar’s National Footprint

The Louisiana plant joins First Solar’s expanding U.S. network, which includes:

Three manufacturing facilities in Ohio
One facility in Alabama
R&D centers in Ohio and California
A new production line under development in Gaffney, South Carolina

By 2027, First Solar anticipates supporting over 30,000 direct, indirect, and induced U.S. jobs, contributing more than $3 billion in national labor income. Since 2019, the company has invested approximately $4.5 billion in American manufacturing and R&D.

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) is America’s leading photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company. The only U.S.-headquartered company among the world’s largest solar manufacturers, First Solar delivers advanced thin-film PV technology developed in its R&D centers in California and Ohio. The Company provides a responsible, high-performance alternative to conventional crystalline silicon solar modules. Learn more at www.firstsolar.com.

About Louisiana Economic Development (LED)

Louisiana Economic Development drives capital investment, business expansion, and job creation across the state. Discover the agency’s work at OpportunityLouisiana.com.