On August 10th, Maxeon Solar Technologies announced that they have selected Albuquerque, NM to be the site of their new 3GW capacity solar cell and panel manufacturing facility. The total cost of the new factory, Maxeon's first in the US, is estimated at over one billion dollars. They hope to start construction in the spring of 2024. The 160-acre site located in the community of Mesa Del Sol, will include solar cell fabrication, panel assembly, a warehouse, and administrative offices. It is estimated to create 1,800 new jobs and produce millions of solar panels each year for the US market.
They stated "We expect the new plant will also serve as an anchor to attract further regional investment in the solar supply chain. As a company that started in Silicon Valley 38 years ago, we are proud to be bringing U.S.-developed technologies back home and to contribute to the reshoring of a domestic solar supply chain."
This is great news for the US solar market, and for us as a Maxeon dealer, because it will ensure a steady, US based supply chain. These past couple years everyone was struggling to maintain a steady supply of panels, as SunPower and Maxeon split and global supply chain was disrupted.
To read the full press release please click HERE.
UPDATE: September 2024 - Timeline slips
Construction was originally supposed to begin in early 2024 and the facility aimed to be online in 2025. Unfortunately the timeline has slipped with Maxeon now planning to begin construction in the fourth quarter of 2024 with solar cell production to begin sometime in 2026.
The Mesa del Sol manufacturing site is expected to receive public financing. Officials have approved for Maxeon to receive $20 million in Local Economic Development Act financing, including $18 million from the state and $2 million from the city of Albuquerque. Industrial Revenue Bonds have also been approved for the project in the coming decades.
Maxeon hasn't received any public money to date. We hope to keep you posted with positive updates.
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