Translucent Energy launches 1.2 GW solar module factory in South Carolina

Translucent Energy has announced the launch of a 1.2 GW solar module assembly plant in Summerville, South Carolina, representing a $15.6 million first-phase investment expected to create 167 local jobs.

The factory’s assembly equipment is currently undergoing factory acceptance testing at the equipment manufacturer’s site under Chief Technology Officer Dr. Nabih Cherradi. Following factory acceptance test completion, the equipment will arrive in Summerville in October, Translucent Energy told pv magazine USA.

The manufacturer expects to begin commercial shipments in December, aiming to deliver 600 MW to 800 MW in its first full year as it rapidly ramps shifts to capture demand driven by Section 232 trade tariffs.

The factory’s initial portfolio relies on N-type cell technology across three primary form factors:

• Utility-Scale: Standard G12 (210 mm) formats targeting 710 W to 730 W outputs at efficiencies up to 23.5%.
• Commercial & Industrial (C&I): G12R (182×210 mm rectangular) form factor offering 630 W to 650 W, reaching up to 24.06% module efficiency.
• Residential: Compact G12R layouts delivering 450 W to 470 W with efficiencies up to 23.53%.

While initial builds focus on N-type cells, the brand-new equipment is designed to process M10 (182 mm), G12R, and G12 wafer formats, with technical compatibility spanning N-type, heterojunction (HJT), and PERC cell designs, the company said.

To help project owners meet Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) domestic content bonus thresholds, Translucent Energy’s supply chain is composed mostly of U.S. components, alongside secondary sourcing from Türkiye, company representatives said. This dual-sourcing strategy aims to strengthen supply chain resilience while limiting reliance on Southeast Asian procurement channels subject to trade restrictions.

Managing Director Augustus Rylands said the 281,000-square-foot Summerville plant marks the first step in a broader multi-year domestic manufacturing roadmap, with future plans pointing toward U.S. cell and wafer production.