Illuminate USA, a solar panel manufacturer, has officially commenced commercial operations at its advanced solar panel manufacturing facility in Pataskala, Ohio.
The 1.1 million-sq ft facility will employ 1,000 workers on eight production lines and produce more than 9.2 million advanced solar panels annually at full capacity by the end of 2024. This is equivalent to 5 GW of electricity production - enough to power 1 million American homes.
The company has appointed more than 475 employees in Central Ohio, together with the partnership of many local workforce organizations, including Ohio Means Jobs and IMPACT Community Action, and the support of JobsOhio, GROW Licking County, and the Columbus Partnership.
The economic impact of the facility has been observed in the region through the Ohio-made air compressors powering the production lines and high turnout at community hiring events.
“As demand for solar energy continues to rise in America, Illuminate’s Ohio workforce is strengthening our domestic supply chain through the production of high-efficiency US-made panels for projects across the country,” said Jim Murphy, President and Corporate Business Leader at Invenergy and Chairman of Board of Directors at Illuminate USA. “Invenergy continues to lead the industry, and Illuminate USA is the latest example of our team’s premier capabilities and the bold vision necessary to advance our nation’s clean energy transition.”
