One of First Solar’s longtime component manufacturing partners will establish a new production facility in Lacassine, Louisiana to support First Solar’s upcoming 3.5-GW solar panel manufacturing site in the state.

Ice Industries, a heavy metals contract manufacturer first established in Ohio, will invest $6 million into a new production facility that will initially focus on roll forming steel back rails for First Solar’s thin-film solar panels. The company expects to create 70 direct new jobs.

This new Ice Industries Louisiana facility complements a similar operation in Bowling Green, Ohio, that opened in 2022 specifically to supply First Solar with product.

“Following the successful collaboration with First Solar that resulted in the founding of Ice Industries Bowling Green, we are excited to further develop our partnership with an American company that is a global industry leader in the production of PV panels,” said Ice Industries Founder, Chairman and CEO Howard Ice. “Dovetailing with both the United States’ increasing focus and investment in clean energy technology and Ice’s strategy of geographic and market diversity, Ice Industries Louisiana represents a strategic investment in both the company and our country’s manufacturing base.”

The company expects to begin installation of new equipment into a retrofitted 150,000-ft² facility in October and commence production in early 2025.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) offered the company a competitive incentives package including the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The state has also offered Ice Industries a $380,000 Economic Development Award Program forgivable loan for site development and infrastructure improvements, subject to approval by the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation board. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs.

News item from Ice Industries