A new brand will set up a 5 GW solar cell and panel manufacturing facility in Portland, Tennessee. ReCreate, a joint venture between the European solar panel brand Recommended and Create Energy, will set up production lines in the same building as system manufacturer Shoals’ electrical balance.
The factory in Portland, Tennessee, with the former Shoals production site at the bottom left.
Dean Solon, founder of Shoals, is focusing on a new company, Create Energy, that aims to build U.S. renewable energy production. Solon today announced the ReCreate brand with Hamlet Tunyan, CEO of Recom Technologies.
“We are excited to ignite the rocket engines of this new venture and deliver high-quality, American-made solar energy solutions,” said Solon. “At Create Energy, our mission is to recreate the renewable energy market and provide comprehensive solutions for solar, BESS and eMobility projects. ReCreate will set the standard for the solar panel and cell market.”
Earlier this year, Shoals moved its manufacturing operations to a new 638,000 ft2 factory after years of making wiring harnesses, combination boxes and more in a much smaller factory. No timeline has been announced for when solar panel production will begin at the site, but ReCreate will make products for both the US and European markets.
“This project represents significant progress in our commitment to renewable energy and innovation,” said Tunyan. “By manufacturing in the US, we support the local economy and set new industry standards.”
Recom has decades of production experience and operates no less than 3.2 GW of solar panel production capacity at locations in France and Italy. Local media reported that Recom’s European manufacturing efforts are now being consolidated exclusively to Italy.