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IBERIA PARISH, La. – First Photo voltaic, the biggest photo voltaic vitality producer within the Western Hemisphere, introduced it has chosen Acadiana Regional Airport as the location of its fifth American manufacturing facility. The corporate stated it’s going to make investments as much as $1.1 billion within the facility, which is able to produce high-performance photovoltaic (PV) photo voltaic modules. The undertaking is anticipated to be full within the first half of 2026.
The corporate expects to create greater than 700 new direct jobs with a complete annual payroll of at the least $40 million. It’s believed to be the biggest single capital funding within the space’s historical past.
“First Photo voltaic’s collection of Iberia Parish for its latest photo voltaic panel manufacturing facility leaves little question that Louisiana is main the worldwide vitality transition, and creating good-paying jobs because of this,” Gov. John Bel Edwards stated. “This huge funding and the roles it’s going to create are an enormous win for the individuals of Acadiana and your entire state. It’s proof optimistic that Louisiana’s ‘all-of-the-above’ method to vitality is rising and diversifying our economic system. Thanks to everybody who made at the present time a actuality, and a particular thank-you to First Photo voltaic for trusting Louisiana to be a part of their mission to create a extra sustainable future.”
The Acadiana facility can be constructed on an LED Licensed Website, that means it has gone by way of in depth due diligence and research to be declared development-ready. It would produce First Photo voltaic’s Sequence 7 modules, that are anticipated to be manufactured with 100% U.S.-made elements.
“We’re happy to companion with Louisiana as we lean into our dedication to creating enduring worth for America by increasing our photo voltaic manufacturing footprint and the home worth chains that allow it,” stated First Photo voltaic Chief Govt Officer Mark Widmar. “As we evaluated our choices, Louisiana’s skill to ship the expertise we want stood out, because of its in depth workforce improvement initiatives and the presence of educational establishments such because the College of Louisiana at Lafayette which now contains a world-class photo voltaic vitality lab. In bringing our distinctive, absolutely vertically built-in photo voltaic manufacturing mannequin to Louisiana, we anticipate the plant to reflect the dedication to ‘Accountable Photo voltaic’ evident at each First Photo voltaic manufacturing facility, that are among the many cleanest, most secure, and most various within the business. We’re proud that our funding in American manufacturing will create secure, good-paying manufacturing jobs and financial and social worth within the state.”
Based in 1999, First Photo voltaic is a number one American-based vitality expertise firm and world supplier of eco-efficient photo voltaic modules. The corporate is exclusive among the many world’s 10 largest photo voltaic panel producers as the one firm with a U.S. headquarters and with out a base of operations in China.
“At the moment’s announcement by First Photo voltaic is a whole game-changer,” Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard stated. “We respect First Photo voltaic’s main funding and sit up for welcoming this worldwide group to the nation’s vitality hall.”
To safe the undertaking in Iberia Parish, the state of Louisiana supplied First Photo voltaic a aggressive incentives bundle that features the excellent workforce options of LED FastStart. Extra incentives embody performance-based grants for web site improvement and infrastructure enhancements totaling $30 million. All grants are contingent upon assembly funding, employment and payroll targets. The corporate can also be anticipated to take part within the state’s High quality Jobs program.
“This undertaking will faucet our world-class expert workforce and can construct on a quick rising and various economic system,” Iberia Industrial Improvement Basis President and CEO Mike Tarantino stated. “We sit up for working with First Photo voltaic and our companions as this next-generation undertaking strikes ahead and creates new alternatives for the longer term.”
Along with the state’s incentives choices, Iberia Parish and Iberia Financial Improvement Authority are supporting the undertaking by committing to fund web site enhancements comparable to water and wastewater infrastructure improvement.
“First Photo voltaic’s announcement is the biggest capital funding to this point in our area, and it’s a testomony to the area’s financial competitiveness,” stated Troy Wayman, president and CEO of One Acadiana. “It additionally speaks to the sturdy collaboration amongst companions that helped usher the undertaking to the end line. We rejoice with our companions from the Iberia Industrial Improvement Basis, the Acadiana legislative delegation, the Acadiana Planning Fee, the Iberia Parish authorities and the College of Louisiana at Lafayette on this undertaking win.”
Register to be notified about job alternatives, hiring occasions and information updates with First Photo voltaic here.
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