The Norwegian PV manufacturer praises the south-central US state for “its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs,” as well as its “competitive business offering and location acceleration capabilities.”
Norwegian solar company NorSun is investing $620 million in its first U.S. factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The initial investment includes the construction of a 5 GW silicon ingot and solar wafer production facility.
Violet PR/NorSun
The project, which was facilitated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust, will create 320 new direct jobs and provide much-needed domestic production of rod and wafer capacity to meet increasing demand from U.S. solar cell and panel manufacturers , to support the growth of the domestic PV sector.
“Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a partner that can work quickly and efficiently to meet the critical need for American-made energy,” said Erik Løkke-Øwre, CEO of NorSun. “Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection process: its robust clean energy programs, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development were already on our radar, and its competitive business offering and location acceleration options strengthened our decision.”
NorSun has identified a green area of approximately 60 hectares. Construction is expected to begin in late 2024, subject to approvals, necessary permits and final incentive agreements.
“I am proud to welcome NorSun to Oklahoma, and I am pleased that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa region and a $620 million capital investment,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Our growth policies, workforce development efforts and ‘more of everything’ energy approach make us an incredible state to invest in, and I’m excited that NorSun can be a part of that.”
Production is expected to come online in 2026, making the Oklahoma facility one of the first in the U.S. to produce high-quality silicon ingots and wafers, currently the biggest bottleneck in achieving a fully domestic solar supply chain, NorSun said . The Tulsa site offers the opportunity to further expand production to 10 GW as the U.S. continues to prioritize domestic energy production, the company added.
“Year after year, Oklahoma is making tremendous progress in clean energy, with consistent investments from remarkable companies transforming the sector,” said Tina Lindsay, interim director of business development for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “It is a testament to our pro-business policies, robust workforce, site readiness and access to key markets. We are pleased to bring NorSun on board as we look to scale U.S. solar manufacturing capacity.”
NorSun received a $60 million grant from the European Union Innovation Fund last year, in addition to raising $8.5 million from equity investors.
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