Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and Ebon Solar have jointly unveiled plans for a major new investment in New Mexico: a nearly $1 billion solar cell manufacturing facility. The project, which will be located in Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol industrial development area, marks a significant step forward for the state’s burgeoning solar industry.
Ebon Solar, a Delaware-based company, will invest approximately $942 million to build an 834,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the advanced manufacturing of solar cells. This development is expected to create over 900 new jobs in the region. The facility aims to establish a comprehensive, end-to-end manufacturing process for solar cells.
Ebon Solar CEO Judy Cai said:
The choice of Albuquerque for our investment aligns with our commitment to sustainable innovation, and New Mexico offers abundant solar resources, favorable renewable energy policies, and a dedicated, skilled workforce.
These factors enhance Ebon Solar’s capital investment and production capabilities and make the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and the State of New Mexico ideal partners as we integrate into the clean energy market.
While Ebon Solar has yet to announce a specific timeline for the factory’s launch, the project is poised to enhance New Mexico’s position as a growing hub for solar cell production. This announcement follows another major solar investment in the state: Maxeon Solar Technologies revealed in August 2023 that it would construct a $1 billion solar cell and panel factory in New Mexico, which will be the largest of its kind in the U.S. Maxeon plans to commence construction in the latter half of 2024.
New Mexico’s supportive business environment and strong commitment to renewable energy are key factors driving these investments. The state is quickly becoming a focal point for solar manufacturing in the U.S.
Solar cells, composed of polysilicon-based semiconductor materials, are crucial components of solar panels. They capture and convert sunlight into electricity. Although numerous solar panel factories are opening across the U.S., there remains a significant gap in the domestic supply of solar cells. Ebon Solar’s new factory will address this shortage and support the Biden administration’s goal of developing a robust domestic solar supply chain.
