Snapshot
Project name: Meyer Burger Solar Module Production Site
Program: N/A
Law: Inflation Reduction Act
Recipient: N/A
Investment amount: TBD
City: Goodyear
State: Arizona
Congressional districts: 7 and 9
Construction start date: 2021
Jobs created: 500
This profile is part of a project that finds and tracks the public and private sector investments generated or supported by three of the Biden administration’s economic laws. These laws make investments in the American people, helping to grow the middle class, lowering the cost of living, and setting up America to better compete and cooperate in the world. Pulling directly from several sources, this catalog provides users with publicly available information such as the number of jobs created, workforce training partnerships, and storytellers benefiting from particular projects, among other detailed information. The profile below expands on the economic, practical, and climate impacts of just one of the 35,000 investments that can be found in the Biden Administration Investment Tracker. It may be updated to account for future project developments.
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Due to tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, the previously delayed Meyer Burger solar panel production facility is back on track with an intended initial capacity of 400 megawatts. It will produce solar panels for residential, commercial, industrial rooftop, and utility-scale use. The facility will add 500 construction jobs and 250 permanent manufacturing jobs when it opens.
Historical context
Meyer Burger, a Swiss company, has long been a leader in the production of equipment needed to create solar panels. In recent years, the company has made commitments to expanding outside of Europe:
- “The Arizona site selection follows the company’s announcement in September of this year to establish its first manufacturing facility outside of Europe in the United States, a decision also driven by Meyer Burger’s desire to support the U.S. clean energy transition. Arizona was selected due to a diversified and talented workforce that can support the company’s manufacturing and production needs.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
- “Long known as a manufacturer of PV production equipment, Meyer Burger pivoted in the summer of 2020 to producing machines for heterojunction, smartwire manufacturing exclusively for its own use.” – pv Magazine USA, December 27, 2021
Project summary
Meyer Burger is building a production site for solar modules, which can be used in homes, business, and even plants and factories. The opening was delayed due to debates over solar manufacturing tax credits, but thanks to resolution and the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits, the project is back on track and could even grow in size and scope:
- “Meyer Burger Technology AG announced today that the company is establishing a production site for high-performance solar modules in Goodyear. … Initial annual production capacity of the facility will be 400 MW and will include capabilities to manufacture solar modules for residential, commercial/industrial rooftop, and utility-scale applications. Production is expected to be operational by the end of 2022.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
- “Meyer Burger announced plans to open a U.S. manufacturing site last year, but things stalled as the United States debated solar manufacturing tax credits. Now with the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden with tax credits intact, Meyer Burger is exploring expansion options beyond its initial 400-MW annual capacity goal.” – Solar Power World, December 18, 2022
Meyer Berger cited the Inflation Reduction Act as “critical to our ability to make America the epicenter of our solar manufacturing efforts in the years to come”:
- In a comment to the IRS, the company said, “Meyer Burger is currently in the process of constructing a large solar module manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona, our first in the United States. Once at full capacity, the facility will manufacture 1.5 GW of patented heterojunction SmartWire modules, making it Meyer Burger’s single largest solar module manufacturing facility in the world when completed in 2024. This very substantial investment in American energy manufacturing capability is an indication of the priority we place on the U.S. as a place to do business and expand. The provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), particularly the Section 45X manufacturing credit coupled with direct pay, will be critical to our ability to make America the epicenter of our solar energy manufacturing efforts in the years to come.” – Meyer Burger letter to the Internal Revenue Service, November 4, 2022
Outcomes, improvements, and practical impact
The new production facility will allow Meyer Burger to meet growing demand for solar panels and bolster the North American market for solar panels. The specifications of the site will also enable mass production of Meyer Burger’s products and allow for growth and adaptation of the facility moving forward:
- “The development of a manufacturing facility in Arizona will provide flexibility, ease of access, and resilience for Meyer Burger’s customers in the growing North American market.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
- “In order to meet the high demand for the distributed generation/rooftop sector and supply DESRI with panels for the utility market, Meyer Burger plans to reach 1.5 GW of production capacity at the Goodyear, Arizona, site. Lines will be split — 1 GW of larger solar panels for the utility market will be made each year, alongside 500 MW of solar panels for the DG sector.” – Solar Power World, December 18, 2022
- “Meyer Burger Technology AG says it plans to introduce a unified product platform for its solar modules that will allow the company to build up manufacturing capacity faster and with less risk. …The manufacturing lines for the future Goodyear site in the United States were designed for the new product platform from the outset. … The new product platform will enable the scalability of new manufacturing capacities and accelerate mass production; for example, it will eliminate downtime due to product changes and complex procurement logistics processes caused by product diversity.” – Solar Industry Magazine, March 2, 2023
Climate impact
By bolstering U.S. production and facilitating consumption of solar panels, the project will contribute to the accessibility and use of renewable energy sources:
- “The investment is an important step in meeting Meyer Burger’s commitments to produce modules near end-customers, source material from regional suppliers, and improve overall sustainability by reducing transportation emissions and optimizing the carbon footprint of the company’s solar modules.”– Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
Economic impact
The new site will create 500 new jobs when at full capacity, although an average salary has not been released. No studies have been released that estimate the economic impact of the new production site for Arizona’s economy:
- Production will create “an initial 250 manufacturing jobs, and over 500 manufacturing jobs at 1.5 GW full capacity.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
Official supporting statements
- Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R): “We are thrilled Meyer Burger has chosen Goodyear for their first manufacturing facility in the U.S. … The company’s new solar module manufacturing facility will further enhance Arizona’s standout reputation as a renewable energy leader. In thanking all the partners involved, I want to specifically recognize the crucial partnership of the late Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, whose record of service will continue to have a positive impact on Goodyear for years to come.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
- Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo (D): “I am very pleased to welcome Meyer Burger to our community. … The decision to make a large investment in our community shows Goodyear is an excellent location for advanced manufacturing businesses. Our highly skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and low cost of doing business has created an environment where companies can thrive. This project will create hundreds of new jobs, and I thank Meyer Burger for its investment in our city.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
- President and CEO of Arizona Commerce Authority Sandra Watson: “We are excited to welcome Meyer Burger’s sustainable manufacturing facility to Goodyear. … As a national leader in solar power, we are grateful Meyer Burger has chosen to invest in Goodyear, creating hundreds of skilled jobs for residents. We look forward to supporting Meyer Burger as they become part of our thriving renewable energy and manufacturing industries.” – Arizona Commerce Authority, December 27, 2021
Selected clips
- “Meyer Burger brings 400 MW high-performance solar module manufacturing to Arizona” – pv Magazine USA, December 27, 2021