A new economic impact study released Monday by First Solar Inc. estimates the solar manufacturer will create nearly 40,000 jobs and contribute $7.8 billion annually to U.S. GDP. The Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette performed the study, analyzing First Solar’s actual and forecasted U.S. spending in 2025 and 2027.
First Solar’s Iberia Parish integrated manufacturing facility began production in July 2025. Ultimately, they expect to operate approximately 18 gigawatts of annual nameplate solar module production capacity across six manufacturing facilities in Louisiana, Alabama, Ohio and South Carolina by 2027. Read more from First Solar.
