Trina Solar, a global leader in smart solar products and solutions, has announced it will build a more than 1 million square foot solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility in Wilmer, Texas. The company is investing more than $200 million in property and equipment. When completed, the facility will provide 1,500 local jobs, produce 5 GW of modules and source polysilicon from the United States and Europe.
Starting in 2024, the facility will produce innovative large power output Vertex modules using the state-of-the-art 210mm large size wafer and the most advanced technology in the solar industry.
“We have long had a vision to manufacture solar products in the United States, and we are proud of the jobs we are creating and the investment we are making in the Wilmer community,” said Steven Zhu, president of Trina Solar US. “Trina’s goal in building this facility is to begin to create an ecosystem of American manufacturing that can serve the burgeoning U.S. solar market.”
Trina has been US-based and regionally focused since 2006 and it incorporated in the U.S. in 2009. Last year, Trina partnered with the affordable housing nonprofit Foundation Communities and Spear Commercial & Industrial to build a solar project in a low-income housing project in Austin, Texas.
Trina also has been a trusted supplier to U.S. customers, including large utility enterprises as well as hundreds of thousands of small businesses and households. The company received a 100% bankability rating for seven years in a row by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, and has been rated AAA, the highest rating, in the Module Tech Bankability Ratings report by PV-Tech.
“As someone who has lived in Texas for more than a decade, I’m proud to bring Trina’s first module factory in the Western Hemisphere to the Lone Star State,” Zhu said. “This factory sets the stage for Trina to continuously expand business in the U.S. and show our customers that we are committed to providing best-in-class products. Trina will announce additional investments in American communities soon. We are grateful to the State of Texas, Dallas County, and the City of Wilmer, Texas for working with us on this exciting project. “
“This manufacturing facility will be a shining example of how the Wilmer community will continue to thrive with the long-term commitment that Trina is investing within our community,” said Shelia Petta, Mayor, City of Wilmer. “It’s great to see that companies are reinvigorating manufacturing and creating workforce opportunities especially within Southern Dallas County as this region continues to explode with growth.”
“We’re eager for Trina to establish this U.S.-based facility,” said Mark Rangel, EVP of Spear C&I, LLC. “This factory will create sustained jobs and business opportunities right here in America, and enable us to deliver high quality and trusted products for our customers.”
Since its founding 26 years ago, Trina Solar has shipped more than 150GW of modules, generating green power for customers in more than 100 countries and regions, and remains dedicated to building a carbon-emissions-free world using responsibly sourced materials.