GREENWOOD, SC — February 3, 2025 – On Friday, Jan. 31, ES Foundry, an American company advancing U.S. solar by onshoring crystalline solar cell production, celebrated the grand opening of its cutting-edge manufacturing facility.
Pictured: Brandon A. Smith, Mayor of Greenwood; Alex Zhu, CEO of ES Foundry; John R. McCravy, III, South Carolina House District 13; and Dayne Pruitt, Greenwood County Councilmember.
This milestone marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. solar industry. ES Foundry is leading the nation in tackling critical supply chain challenges and driving the nation’s transition to clean energy. Last Friday, the event drew industry leaders, local officials and renewable energy advocates who toured the facility and witnessed high-volume solar cell manufacturing in action.
With the ribbon cutting at its more than 400,000-square-foot facility, which is on track to employ approximately 500 area residents by June 2025, ES Foundry is set to become the largest producer of high-quality crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar cells in the United States. The facility, which is expected to reach a shipment capacity of 3 GW by Q3 2025, positions ES Foundry as a cornerstone of the domestic solar supply chain.
This state-of-the-art facility underscores ES Foundry’s leadership in U.S. solar manufacturing and plays a critical role in advancing the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s goal of 100 GW of renewable energy manufacturing capacity, including 50 GW of solar production by 2030. Reinforcing the company’s operational readiness and role in reshaping the domestic clean energy landscape, it recently announced its first GW+, multi-year contract with a top-tier solar module manufacturer.
“Today, we are not just celebrating a factory—we are forging a path to a more sustainable, energy-secure future for America,” said Alex Zhu, CEO of ES Foundry. “Our advanced solar cells are engineered and manufactured right here in the United States, ensuring reliability, efficiency and the opportunity to maximize financial incentives for our partners.”
ES Foundry’s crystalline bifacial PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) solar cells are designed to meet the escalating demand for domestically manufactured solar modules. Unlike emerging technologies that face challenges with scalability and durability, PERC cells provide a proven, cost-effective solution for developers/asset owners, tax equity providers and panel manufacturers. ES Foundry produces solar cells domestically, enabling its partners to unlock additional Investment Tax Credit (ITC) benefits for domestic content.
“SEIA congratulates ES Foundry for opening this new facility, which will play a critical role in ensuring the United States is the dominant global solar manufacturing leader,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “This facility is an example of how we combine good policy with business innovation to deliver for American workers, support the local economy and strengthen our nation’s energy security.”
“The facility’s strategic location in Greenwood highlights ES Foundry’s dedication to supporting local communities, generating high-quality jobs and driving regional economic development,” added Zhu.
“To say that Greenwood, South Carolina was chosen to be the home of what will quickly become the largest U.S.-based pure play solar cell manufacturer is the ultimate testimony to the attractiveness of our community for investments in innovative and sustainable technologies,” James Bateman, Economic Development Director, Greenwood County. “The speed at which ES Foundry has converted a legacy facility to cleanroom operations and scaled employment to deliver 1GW production capacity is proof positive of a bright future together as the solar industry experiences exponential growth.”
ES Foundry’s new manufacturing facility represents a significant milestone for South Carolina’s economy and the state’s growing solar sector. According to the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association (CCEBA), the solar industry’s economic impact in South Carolina is expected to increase nearly fourfold by 2035, with projections showing a rise in annual economic activity from $306.6 million in 2024 to almost $1.4 billion by 2035. This surge will support the creation of 3,315 permanent jobs, generating $260.9 million annually in labor income.
By contributing to this growth through its state-of-the-art facility, ES Foundry will play a pivotal role in helping the state realize the cumulative $19 billion economic impact projected for the solar industry by 2035. This will reinforce South Carolina’s position as a leader in clean energy production and innovation.
About ES Foundry
Based in South Carolina, ES Foundry is accelerating the U.S. solar industry by onshoring the manufacturing of crystalline solar cells. The company’s state-of-the-art facility in Greenwood produces high-quality solar cells designed to meet the critical needs of U.S. panel manufacturers and address the supply chain demands of developers and EPCs. By offering American-made solar cells, ES Foundry enables customers to unlock an additional 10% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for domestic content. Backed by a team of seasoned industry veterans, ES Foundry is committed to delivering proven, economical and reliable solar products driving the growth and sustainability of the U.S. clean energy landscape. Follow ES Foundry on LinkedIn and Bluesky for the latest updates.
