Investment and Construction Plans
Norwegian ingot and wafer manufacturer NorSun has unveiled plans to establish a 5GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma, US. Construction of the new facility is slated to commence in late 2024, with production expected to begin in 2026. NorSun plans to invest $620 million in this venture, selecting a shovel-ready site that spans approximately 60 acres.
Meeting Domestic Demand
The new Tulsa plant aims to address the growing demand for ingot and wafer capacity from US cell and module manufacturers. NorSun emphasized the importance of this domestic production to bolster the supply chain within the country. Additionally, the facility has the potential for future expansion, with plans to scale its annual manufacturing capacity to 10GW.
“Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection journey – its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs were already on our radar, and its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options solidified our decision,” stated Erik Løkke-Øwre, CEO of NorSun.
Strategic Expansion Amid Market Challenges
In August 2023, NorSun secured NOK90 million ($8.5 million) in equity financing to support its expansion efforts in both Europe and the US. This funding paved the way for finalizing plans for the US facility and potential expansions in Årdal, Norway, and other European locations. However, NorSun faced significant challenges a month later, deciding to halt production temporarily and lay off employees due to an influx of low-priced Chinese solar modules. The rerouting of these modules to Europe, prompted by US import restrictions, led to a substantial inventory build-up in the region.
