In a significant boost to Arizona’s clean energy manufacturing sector, Cambodia-based New East Solar Energy (NE Solar) announced plans to build a 2-gigawatt (GW) solar panel manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The facility, announced in September 2023, will bring 350 jobs to the local area.
NE Solar CEO Bill Huang cited the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a key catalyst for this significant investment: “With the Inflation Reduction Act as a catalyst, we are thrilled to contribute to the U.S. economy by creating 350 jobs with this new venture. We’re applying the same efficiency in the U.S. as we demonstrated with our Indonesia facility, which was operational within just six months of announcing. We expect to lean on this experience for our new facility.”
The new manufacturing facility will add to Arizona’s growing clean energy economy and increase the domestic production of solar components, strengthening the American supply chain for clean energy. Once operational, the Phoenix site will increase NE Solar’s total manufacturing capacity to 6.7 gigawatts.
The factory is targeting commercial and utility-scale customers for its U.S.-manufactured panels. Last summer, the company said it was entering the final phase of construction: “We’re thrilled to see our vision taking shape and look forward to providing top-tier solar modules from this cutting-edge facility. A huge thank you to our team for their dedication and hard work.”
For Arizona, the solar factory represents the economic development praised by business leaders across the political spectrum in the state. The facility will generate high-quality manufacturing jobs while strengthening America’s energy independence. The Phoenix factory will also help protect against supply chain disruptions and help meet the country’s growing energy demands. As NE Solar explained, having domestic manufacturing capability prevents importing challenges that previously affected the industry.
The impact will be felt across the state, including in the 6th district. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6) has long advocated for clean energy solutions like this investment. In 2023, he co-led the bipartisan Streamlining Home Installations of New Energies (SHINE) Act, which streamlined the adoption of residential renewable systems. In 2024, he co-sponsored legislation designating National Clean Energy Week in the state. In January, he re-introduced the Critical Mineral Consistency Act to bolster the domestic critical mineral supply.
Additionally, in March, he joined twenty other Republican House members in a letter to U.S. Representative Jason Smith (MO-8), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, highlighting “the importance of prioritizing energy affordability for American families and keeping on our current path to energy dominance” and advocating for the preservation of clean energy tax credits.
Rep. Ciscomani was recently named the new Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus. “Arizona leads the way in the production of clean energy technologies,” he reflected. “As clean and sustainable energy advances, it is critical that we pursue an all-the-above strategy that invests in innovation and supports domestic production, all while balancing the need to reduce emissions and steward the environment. Together, we can drive policies that enhance energy security, create jobs, and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
For Arizonans living in Rep. Ciscomani’s district and the state at large, NE Solar’s new facility offers economic benefits and the opportunity to participate in a growing industry with strong long-term prospects.
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