A U.S.-owned solar cell manufacturer has selected Laurens County for its first South Carolina operation, bringing a $350 million investment and 564 new jobs to the Upstate region — one of the largest advanced energy announcements in the state in years.
Suniva, Inc., founded in 2007 out of Department of Energy-funded research at Georgia Tech, announced April 14 that it will lease a 620,000-square-foot facility at 1200 Commerce Blvd. in Laurens to produce advanced solar cells. Operations are expected to come online in 2027, at which point the Laurens plant — combined with Suniva’s existing Georgia facility — will give the company more than 5.5 gigawatts of annual solar cell manufacturing capacity, among the largest such outputs in the United States.
Laurens County sits roughly 30 miles southwest of Spartanburg along the I-385 corridor, placing it squarely within the Upstate’s manufacturing labor market. Spartanburg County workers, suppliers, and logistics firms along the I-85 and I-26 corridors stand to benefit from the ripple effect of a 564-job anchor employer entering the region.
Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO John Lummus called the location choice a deepening of the Upstate’s energy manufacturing identity. “By selecting its location in Laurens County, Suniva joins a growing number of manufacturers in Upstate South Carolina whose products help to power the world, deepening our expertise in advanced energy,” Lummus said. “We’re excited for the opportunities they will create in our region and look forward to watching them grow.”
Governor Henry McMaster framed the announcement as a workforce milestone. “With the addition of 564 jobs in advanced manufacturing and energy, Suniva’s decision to put down roots in the Palmetto State will create new opportunities for our workforce,” McMaster said. “This investment strengthens our commitment to innovative energy solutions, and we are proud to welcome Suniva to Laurens County.”
Suniva has long positioned itself as a pillar of U.S. energy independence, and its Laurens County expansion reflects broader national momentum toward onshoring solar cell production. The company is one of the oldest merchant solar cell manufacturers in the country, and the South Carolina plant will be its second U.S. operation.
SC Commerce Secretary Harry M. Lightsey III noted the economic development significance for rural South Carolina. “The company’s $350 million investment in Laurens County is a significant win for rural economic development, and we look forward to supporting Suniva’s presence in our state,” Lightsey said.
Job seekers interested in Suniva positions can visit the company’s careers page at suniva.com.
Q: What is Suniva announcing and where?
A: Suniva, Inc. is opening its first South Carolina manufacturing facility at 1200 Commerce Blvd. in Laurens, a 620,000-square-foot solar cell production plant representing a $350 million investment.
Q: How many jobs will this create?
A: The project will create 564 new advanced manufacturing and energy jobs in Laurens County, with operations expected online in 2027.
Q: Why does this matter to Spartanburg?
A: Laurens County is part of the broader Upstate SC labor market, and the Suniva plant adds to the region’s growing roster of advanced energy manufacturers — deepening the supply chain and workforce ecosystem that Spartanburg County employers and workers are part of.
Q: What is Suniva’s background?
A: Suniva was founded in 2007 from Department of Energy-funded research at Georgia Tech and is one of the largest and oldest merchant solar cell manufacturers in the United States.
Q: What happens next?
A: Construction and facility preparation will move forward in Laurens, with production start targeted for spring/summer 2027. Job seekers can visit suniva.com for career opportunities.
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