Meyer Burger Technology AG has commenced operations at its newly established solar module manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona, marking a significant step in its strategic shift to expand operations in the United States.
According to statements released on Tuesday, Meyer Burger has also secured an investment commitment from an undisclosed US industry and technology player. The company has signed a commercial agreement and a term sheet with the investor, with final binding agreements expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year.
“We are pleased to announce the launch of production at our Goodyear facility, which represents a critical milestone in our US expansion plans,” a spokesperson for Meyer Burger commented.
The Swiss solar products manufacturer decided earlier this year to halt solar module production at its Freiberg site in Germany, citing challenging market conditions in Europe. The focus has now shifted towards ramping up production capacity in Arizona to reach 2 gigawatts (GW), alongside plans to relocate core operations to the US.
Initial production at the Goodyear facility has begun following a successful factory audit. Photovoltaic (PV) cells sourced from Meyer Burger's German site in Thalheim will be used for module production in Arizona.
In addition to operational developments, Meyer Burger has secured a significant three-year offtake agreement with a major US corporation. The deal stipulates the purchase of up to 600 megawatts (MW) of PV modules annually from the Goodyear factory starting January 2026, with an option for the customer to extend the contract for an additional two years.
Looking ahead, Meyer Burger is advancing plans to establish a solar cell manufacturing facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with an anticipated annual capacity of about 2 GW. The timeline for opening this facility, expected by the end of 2024, hinges on the approval of debt financing from the US Department of Energy (DOE), for which an application is currently pending review.
