A new manufacturing facility in High Point, North Carolina, will boost the local economy and strengthen America’s clean energy supply chain. Opsun Corporation, a Quebec City, Canada-based manufacturer specializing in racking structures for bifacial solar panels, announced plans in April to invest $9.3 million in its first U.S. manufacturing plant. A press release from the City of High Point, meanwhile, estimates the investment amount at $17 million. It is the second Canadian company to open a facility in the city in the past four months, following work safety glove maker Superior Glove.
Whether used for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes, Opsun’s aluminum mounting structures ensure that solar panels achieve their maximum potential. On its website, the company claims, “Our bifacial-optimized racking, at high tilt and elevation from the roof, on a white roof, can reach this 20-25% bifacial gains panels manufacturers boast about.”
Photo Courtesy Opsun Systems Inc.
Beyond serving as a base for manufacturing operations, the new 54,000-square-foot facility will also function as a warehouse space and nationwide distribution center for the company’s commercial flat roof solar products. It will be Opsun’s third manufacturing location worldwide, and the company expects it to triple its operational footprint.
François Gilles-Gagnon, president of Opsun, noted, “We’re thrilled to open our first U.S.-based factory in such a booming economic and strategic center. This new facility will be a key to Opsun’s growth in the USA, and together with our North Carolina workforce and local suppliers, we will help drive the growth of solar installations across the state and throughout the United States. Opsun always sourced all components in North America and this new U.S. facility reinforces our commitment to domestically made, high-performance solar mounting systems.” Because Opsun produces the aluminum racking domestically and uses a 100% domestic, rail-based supply chain, the systems qualify for an additional 10% tax credit on top of a 30% Investment Tax Credit.
Although plans had been in the works to expand its American manufacturing presence, the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022 accelerated the process. “While recent trade policies may have contributed to the momentum, our decision to expand to the U.S. was in motion well before that — the IRA was the catalyst that confirmed the timing was right,” Gilles-Gagnon added.
The company expects the manufacturing facility to bring 20 new jobs to Guilford County, while the City of High Point anticipates about 32 positions. These positions could have an annual payroll impact of over $1.2 million, and the average yearly salary will be about $3,000 higher than the average in the rest of the county. North Carolina Senator Phil Berger (R-NC-26 Guilford), who is also the Senate President Pro Tempore, said, “These new jobs are a great addition to Guilford County and the entire state of North Carolina. The manufacturing workforce and accessible talent in the region are second to none, and we know Opsun will have a prosperous future here.”
Local officials are also enthusiastic about the economic impact. Cyril Jefferson, mayor of High Point, praised the company’s decision: “Their decision to invest here speaks to the strength of our community, our workforce, and our vision for the future. We’re proud to welcome Opsun as a forward-thinking partner committed to innovation and sustainability in High Point.”
Photo Courtesy Opsun Systems Inc.
Numerous local partners contributed to the project, including:
- North Carolina General Assembly
- North Carolina Department of Commerce
- Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
- North Carolina Community College System
- NC Carolina Core
- Guilford Technical Community College
- Guilford County
- Guilford County Economic Development Alliance,
- GuilfordWorks
- City of High Point
- Greensboro Chamber
The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s One North Carolina Fund contributed a $40,000 performance-based grant to the project. Through the fund, the Governor can speedily assist projects with good prospects for job creation. As Governor Josh Stein reflected, “This announcement is yet another illustration of how much companies want to do business in North Carolina. Our skilled workforce, commitment to sustainability, and convenient East Coast location continues to attract global manufacturers like Opsun Corporation.” Plus, the City of High Point and Guilford County both offered performance-based grants of $71,127, totaling over $142,000.
North Carolina continues to cement its position as a leader in clean energy manufacturing, with the state ranking fourth nationally for installed solar energy capacity, according to Lee Lilley, the state’s secretary of commerce. “As the fourth largest state for installed solar energy capacity, Opsun is a great addition to North Carolina’s clean energy supply chain and we’re confident that they will be in great company in Guilford County,” he said.
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