SEG Solar has unveiled plans to invest $950 million in a new 4-GW heterojunction (HJT) solar cell manufacturing facility at its Tomball Industrial Campus near Houston, Texas. The company signed a land agreement for the new plant on October 29, 2026. This investment aims to expand the campus's production capabilities by adding an upstream stage to its existing solar module assembly operations.

The new factory will be constructed in two phases, with each phase delivering 2 GW of annual cell capacity. The first phase is targeted for 2028, and the second phase is slated for 2029. SEG Solar expects the project to generate more than 700 local jobs once operational. This development is part of SEG's strategy to strengthen its domestic supply chain for U.S.-made solar modules.

The Tomball Industrial Campus currently hosts two existing module factories: Tomball #1 with a 4 GW capacity and the under-construction Tomball #2, which is designed for 4.6 GW. With the addition of the new cell factory, the campus's total planned output will increase to 8.6 GW of modules. By producing HJT cells on-site, SEG aims to reduce its reliance on imported cells.

The new cell line will be situated beside the existing module factories. The campus is also planned to host warehousing, a research and development center, a certified testing laboratory, and production lines for EVA film and junction boxes. This setup will create a vertically integrated solar manufacturing hub. SEG Solar's investment in this project highlights its commitment to expanding its U.S. operations.

SEG Solar's heterojunction technology combines crystalline silicon wafers with thin amorphous silicon layers, offering higher conversion efficiency and better temperature performance. This technology is particularly suited for utility-scale projects. The company opened its first module plant at Tomball in August 2026 and is progressing with the second, making the cell factory the next major expansion of its Texas operations.

While the announcement did not include details on the construction start date, contractor information, financing structure, or equipment supplier, these aspects are expected to be clarified later. SEG Solar's $950 million investment in the heterojunction solar cell plant underscores the company's growth plans in the renewable energy sector.

The investment in the new HJT cell factory is expected to contribute to the growth of the solar industry in Texas and support the development of a domestic supply chain for solar modules. SEG Solar's expansion plans align with the increasing demand for renewable energy solutions in the United States. The project is set to play a significant role in SEG's operations and the broader solar industry.

Key points

  • SEG Solar is investing $950 million in a new 4-GW heterojunction solar cell factory at its Tomball Industrial Campus in Texas.
  • The project is expected to create over 700 local jobs and contribute to the growth of the solar industry in Texas.
  • The new factory will be built in two phases, with the first phase targeted for 2028 and the second for 2029.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.