T1 Energy announced the start of construction of its G2 Austin solar cell fabrication plant, a $400‑$425 million project that will add 2.1 GW of high‑efficiency TOPCon cell capacity to its U.S. manufacturing footprint.
The 100‑acre site in Milam County, Texas, will supply cells to the company’s existing 5 GW G1 Dallas module plant and support a fully domestic polysilicon supply chain. Contracts for polysilicon and wafers have been secured with Hemlock Semiconductor and Corning Inc., positioning the plant to meet the 70 %+ U.S. content requirement that underpins the Inflation Reduction Act Section 45X tax credits and domestic‑content bonuses.
First‑phase production is slated to begin by the end of 2026, with a second‑phase expansion of 3.2 GW planned for later. The project is expected to create up to 1,800 advanced‑manufacturing jobs in the region and represents a key step in T1’s strategy to become a vertically integrated U.S. solar and battery‑storage provider.
“G2 Austin is a centerpiece of our strategy to build an integrated U.S. polysilicon solar supply chain,” said Chairman and CEO Dan Barcelo. “Solar is the most scalable, reliable, and low‑cost energy available today, and I look forward to the future of American solar running through Rockdale, Texas.”
The announcement follows a December 2024 transformative transaction that saw T1 acquire U.S. manufacturing assets from Trina Solar, a move that accelerated the company’s transition from a battery‑focused business to a full‑spectrum solar and storage platform. The new fab will allow T1 to capture the growing demand for high‑efficiency modules in data‑center and utility markets, where the IRA’s domestic‑content incentives are driving a shift toward U.S.‑made components.
Analysts view the expansion as a long‑term bet on the U.S. solar market’s growth trajectory, noting that the company’s current financial health remains modest, with a negative EBITDA in the last twelve months. However, the capital‑raising activities in early December 2025, which raised hundreds of millions through convertible notes and common‑stock offerings, demonstrate management’s confidence in the project’s strategic value and the expected return on investment.
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