First Solar (FSLR) Investor update summary

Facility and production

• Gaffney opened as the sixth U.S. manufacturing facility, a $330 million investment producing Series 6 Plus solar modules.

• The 1.2 million sq. ft. facility is producing thin-film solar modules; the Commerce Secretary cited 3.4 GW of annual production and 700 jobs.

• Phase two is expected to be completed by mid-2027, doubling facility capacity to 3.4 GW annually.

Investment and employment

• The CEO cited more than 600 new jobs and average annual manufacturing compensation of $74,000, roughly twice Cherokee County’s per capita income.

• The CEO expects more than $5 billion invested in U.S. manufacturing and R&D infrastructure by year-end; 30,000 U.S. jobs supported last year are expected to reach 40,000 by end-2027, equivalent to $4 billion in annual payroll.

• Local leaders highlighted expected benefits for families and nearby businesses from manufacturing jobs and worker paychecks.

Strategy and market positioning

• The CEO described the facility as part of a domestic manufacturing strategy using American-developed technology and a supply chain independent of China.

• The CEO credited federal trade policies, including tariffs and minimum import prices, with supporting U.S. manufacturing investment and demand for domestic energy technology.

• The CEO said solar capacity is additive to natural gas and nuclear power, while offering faster deployment and affordable electricity.