First Solar, a major solar panel manufacturer based in the United States, will invest $1.2 billion in building its fourth U.S. factory while boosting operations at existing plants. The expanded operations will create nearly 1,000 new jobs, reports the New York Times.
“This investment is an important step toward achieving self-sufficiency in solar technology, which, in turn, supports America’s energy security ambitions, its deployment of solar at scale and its ability to lead with innovation,” Mark Widmar, First Solar’s chief executive, said in a statement.