Suniva, Inc. selects Laurens County for first South Carolina manufacturing facility

Suniva, Inc. (Suniva), a U.S.-owned and -operated solar cell manufacturer, has selected Laurens County for its first South Carolina manufacturing facility. The company’s $350 million investment is expected to create 564 new jobs.

Founded in 2007 out of U.S. Department of Energy-funded research at the University Center for Excellence in Photovoltaics at Georgia Tech, Suniva is one of the largest and oldest merchant solar cell manufacturers in the country. The company has long been recognized for its leadership in advancing solar cell manufacturing in the United States as a key component of national energy independence and domestic energy security.

Suniva plans to lease a 620,000-square-foot building at 1200 Commerce Blvd. in Laurens, where it will produce advanced solar cells. The new manufacturing facility, in conjunction with the company’s existing plant in Georgia, will further support Suniva’s commitment to independent clean energy production.

With the addition of the Laurens County operation, Suniva’s total production capacity will exceed 5.5 gigawatts of solar cells annually, making it one of the largest such capacities in the United States. Operations at the new facility are expected to come online in 2027.

Individuals interested in joining the Suniva team are encouraged to visit the company’s careers page for more information.

Suniva CEO Tony Etnyre said the company has remained committed to strengthening U.S. leadership in solar energy manufacturing since its founding. He noted that solar represents one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to expand the nation’s energy supply, and emphasized that increased access to energy will play a critical role in America’s long-term competitiveness. He added that the company’s expansion into South Carolina underscores its commitment to producing renewable energy domestically and contributing to a more secure energy future.