Ohio manufacturer opens new facility to support First Solar expansion

An Ohio-based heavy metals contract manufacturer is opening a new facility in the state after being selected to supply solar panel components to First Solar. Ice Industries‘ new 150,000 sq ft plant, located in Bowling Green, will produce steel back rails for First Solar’s thin-film modules. The new plant is expected to launch in October 2022, initially creating 71 new jobs, and increasing to 120 when it reaches full production.

First Solar is building its third U.S. manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, Ohio, which is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2023 and when fully operational will scale the company’s Northwest Ohio footprint to a total annual capacity of 6 GW.

“Northwest Ohio’s existing solar investment, logistics advantage, glass heritage and steel production and forming knowledge is coming together in support of alternative energy, making it the true home of American solar,” said Howard Ice, Chairman and CEO of Ice Industries.

Ice Industries has already supplied brackets, actuator arms and various fasteners for utility-scale solar farms throughout the United States.

News item from Ice Industries

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/03/ohio-manufacturer-opens-new-facility-to-support-first-solar-expansion/