India’s Waaree Energies to construct 3GW solar module plant in Houston

Waaree’s $1 billion investment aims to achieve 5 GW annual capacity for solar modules and integrated cell manufacturing facility by 2027, generating 1,500 American jobs and supporting SB Energy and leading solar companies.

Waaree Energies, India’s largest solar PV module manufacturer and a significant supplier to the US, has announced its intention to establish its inaugural US manufacturing facility in the Houston area. Situated in the town of Brookshire, the facility is projected to have an initial capacity to produce 3 gigawatts (GW) of solar modules annually by the conclusion of 2024. Over the next four years, Waaree plans to invest up to $1 billion to ramp up its annual module manufacturing production to 5 GW by 2027, positioning it as one of the largest solar module manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Additionally, Waaree aims to incorporate a US-based solar cell facility, expected to be operational by 2025. Collectively, the new facility is anticipated to generate over 1,500 jobs in the US at full capacity.

Waaree already holds a substantial presence in the US solar market, having supplied over 4 GW of modules from its existing Indian facility to American customers to date. The ambitious US expansion by Waaree is bolstered by a long-term supply agreement with SB Energy, a prominent climate infrastructure and technology platform boasting over 2 GW of solar in operation, 1 GW in construction, and an additional 15 GW+ of solar and storage in development across the U.S. Following the commissioning of the facility, expected in 2024, Waaree will deliver multi-GWs of solar modules to SB Energy over the next 5 years. This agreement further strengthens SB Energy’s position in the domestic supply chain and ensures the availability of modules for a burgeoning pipeline of projects.

“We are proud of this significant commitment by Waaree to U.S. domestic solar manufacturing,” said Waaree Chairman and Managing Director Hitesh Doshi. “In partnership with a company of SB Energy’s mission and stature, Waaree is fostering a solar manufacturing ecosystem in Texas, a state that has taken a leading position in clean energy manufacturing.

“We are delighted to expand our U.S. supply chain with Waaree, a leading global supplier of solar modules. Through our long-term supply agreements, we are proud to support the growing U.S. solar supply chain and well-paying manufacturing jobs,” said Abhijeet Sathe, co-CEO ofSB Energy. “Waaree brings a proven track record of delivering superior technology to some of the largest solar projects in the U.S. and India.”

“Most major components used in the manufacturing of these solar modules will be sourced domestically, enabled in part due to the Inflation Reduction Act,” stated Sunil Rathi, Board member, Waaree Solar Americas Inc. 

“By setting up the new facility in the Houston area, Waaree brings critical technologies that will boost American solar production, reducing reliance on overseas sources while supporting strong U.S. jobs. We are committed to the U.S. and its growing demand for clean energy.”