First Solar has inaugurated its new research and development (R&D) innovation center in Lake Township, Ohio. The facility, named the Jim Nolan Center for Solar Innovation, is billed as the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
Spanning 1.3 million square feet (120,774 square meters), the center features a state-of-the-art pilot manufacturing line designed for producing full-sized prototypes of thin-film and tandem modules. This development is expected to enhance First Solar's ability to expedite innovation cycles, addressing limitations encountered with the previous late-stage product development at its Perrysburg facility.
Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, stated, “While the United States leads the world in thin film PV, China is racing to close the innovation gap. We expect that this crucial investment in R&D infrastructure will help maintain our nation's strategic advantage in thin film.”
The opening of the Jim Nolan Center is part of a broader $500 million (EUR 459.3 million) investment program. This initiative will also see the introduction of a perovskite development line at First Solar's Perrysburg campus later this year. The company currently operates R&D labs in Perrysburg, Santa Clara, California, and Uppsala, Sweden.
In addition to bolstering its R&D capabilities, First Solar plans to expand its US manufacturing capacity to 14 gigawatts (GW) by 2026, with new production sites scheduled to begin operations in Alabama and Louisiana in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
