# Solar manufacturing capacity expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/solar-manufacturing-capacity-expansion
> Updated: 2026-08-21T10:59:45.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Translucent Energy announced the launch of a 1.2 GW solar module assembly plant in Summerville, South Carolina. The initial $15.6 million investment is projected to create 167 local jobs. The facility will use flexible N-type lines to produce utility-scale, commercial, industrial, and residential modules. To meet Inflation Reduction Act domestic content bonus thresholds and reduce reliance on Southeast Asian procurement, the company is utilizing a supply chain primarily composed of U.S. components with secondary sourcing from Türkiye.

By late August, Translucent Energy had commenced operations at the new 1.3 GW solar factory in South Carolina.

## Claims

- Websol Energy System is upgrading a 600 MW mono PERC line to a 750 MW TOPCon line. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The upgrade will increase Websol’s total cell manufacturing capacity from 1.2 GW to approximately 1.35 GW by March 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Websol reduced silver consumption by 20% in the 2025-26 financial year and targets a further 10% reduction. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The upgraded TOPCon line is expected to achieve a cell efficiency of approximately 25%. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Websol is planning a 4 GW integrated cell and module manufacturing facility in West Bengal. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Translucent Energy has launched a 1.3 GW solar factory in Summerville, South Carolina. (single source)
- The new Summerville factory's first phase will create 167 jobs by the end of the year. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: Solar manufacturers expand capacity through TOPCon upgrades and new US facilities

Websol Energy System is upgrading to TOPCon solar technology to increase capacity to 1.35 GW and reduce silver use, while Translucent Energy launches a 1.3 GW solar factory in South Carolina.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/solar-manufacturers-expand-capacity-through-topcon-upgrades-and-new-us-facilities

### 2026-08-19: Translucent Energy launches 1.2 GW solar factory in South Carolina

Translucent Energy is launching a 1.2 GW solar module factory in Summerville, South Carolina, with a $15.6 million investment to create 167 jobs and provide N-type solar technology.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/translucent-energy-launches-12-gw-solar-factory-in-south-carolina

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Cite as: Solar manufacturing capacity expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/solar-manufacturing-capacity-expansion