OCI Holdings announced on March 20 that it will build a new solar cell manufacturing facility on the site of its U.S. subsidiary, Mission Solar Energy, in Texas. The company plans to invest “$265 million” in the project.
Commercial production is expected to begin in the first half of 2026 with an initial capacity of 1GW. The company aims to expand the facility in the second half of the year, eventually reaching over 2GW in total capacity. The plant will play a key role in building a China-free solar supply chain, linking with OCI’s Malaysian subsidiary, OCI TerraSus, which supplies polysilicon.
OCI TerraSus produces solar-grade polysilicon using hydroelectric power, meeting RE100 standards. It also complies with the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), making it a competitive option for global customers seeking to export to the U.S.
The project is expected to benefit from U.S. incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Manufacturers can receive an Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC) of “$0.04” per watt for domestic solar cells. Projects that use a certain percentage of U.S.-made components, including these cells, may also qualify for an additional 10% Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
OCI Holdings has been involved in the U.S. solar market since 2014, when it became the first Korean company to manufacture solar modules in the country. By leveraging existing infrastructure and pre-approved permits, the company expects to reduce lead time by more than a year compared to competitors.
“We’re launching U.S. solar cell production using clean polysilicon from OCI TerraSus,” said Chairman Woo-Hyun Lee. “This is the first step in strengthening our solar value chain in the U.S., with minimal cost and in the shortest possible time.”
