NorSun Shines Bright: New 5-GW Factory in Oklahoma to Produce Silicon Ingots and Wafers

NorSun, a leading Norwegian silicon wafer manufacturer, has unveiled plans to establish a cutting-edge 5-GW silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This significant expansion involves a substantial investment of $620 million, earmarked for developing the new site on Tulsa International Airport property. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to generate 320 direct jobs, providing a substantial boost to the local economy. By situating the plant in Tulsa, NorSun aims to capitalize on the region's strategic location and infrastructure, enhancing its production capabilities to meet growing global demand for high-quality silicon wafers. This move underscores NorSun's commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies and fortifying its market presence in the solar industry. The new factory will play a pivotal role in supporting the transition to clean energy by supplying critical components for solar panels, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.

NorSun CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre emphasized the importance of a swift and efficient partnership to meet their ambitious business plan for American-made energy. He explained that Oklahoma stood out even before the official selection process, thanks to its strong clean energy sector, advanced manufacturing ecosystem, and effective workforce development programs. These factors had already placed Oklahoma on NorSun's radar. The state's competitive business incentives and site acceleration options further convinced NorSun to choose it for their new facility. Løkke-Øwre's comments highlight the strategic importance of Oklahoma's favorable business environment in NorSun's decision to invest $620 million in a 5-GW silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Tulsa, which will create 320 direct jobs and support the growing demand for renewable energy.

NorSun's ingots and wafers will support the increasing demand from solar cell and panel manufacturers, who need to adhere to strict domestic content requirements to be eligible for a new tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act, a key component of President Biden's landmark climate change legislation. This act aims to incentivize the use of domestically sourced materials in renewable energy products, promoting the growth of the solar industry while ensuring compliance with the new federal guidelines. NorSun's products will play a crucial role in helping manufacturers qualify for these benefits and advance the transition to sustainable energy.

NorSun has identified a acre greenfield shovel-ready site where construction is slated to commence by late 2024, pending approvals, permits, and final incentive agreements. The Oklahoma facility aims to commence ingot and wafer production by 2026, positioning it as one of the pioneering sites in the United States for these critical components in the solar panel supply chain. There is potential for the Tulsa site to expand its production capacity up to 10 GW if market demand warrants.