A new era of manufacturing: Pataskala's Illuminate USA starts solar panel production

Maria DeVito, Newark Advocate
·4 min read
Illuminate USA employees sign their names to solar panels made on Thursday, Feb. 15, which was the first day of production at the new company's Pataskala facility. Illuminate USA will eventually make 9.2 million solar panels annually.
Illuminate USA employees sign their names to solar panels made on Thursday, Feb. 15, which was the first day of production at the new company's Pataskala facility. Illuminate USA will eventually make 9.2 million solar panels annually.

Licking County's newest manufacturer seeks to help meet the country's growing demand for green energy solutions while bringing 1,000 jobs to central Ohio.

The first solar panels rolled off the line Thursday as Illuminate USA began production at its 1.1-million-square-foot factory in Pataskala, which will be one of the nation's largest advanced solar panel manufacturing facilities, the company announced in a news release.

Illuminate USA will manufacture more than 9.2 million utility-scale solar panels annually at full capacity by the end of 2024. That equals 5 gigawatts of electricity production, enough to power 1 million homes. A gigawatt is equal to 1 billion watts.

"Today is the beginning of a new era of Ohio advanced manufacturing in what is one of the world’s most in-demand sectors — renewable energy," said Illuminate USA CEO Frank Zhu. "The high-quality U.S. solar panels rolling off our production lines in Pataskala are a testament to our talented team and their commitment to meet the growing demand for clean energy in America."

As previously reported, Illuminate USA's total investment in Licking County is expected to top $600 million with the cost of equipment, raw materials, staff training and salaries, and everything else needed to start a new company.

Illuminate USA was announced last March and is the first company within the 350-acre Red Chip Farms development as part of the Pataskala Corporate Park. The new company is a joint venture between renewable energy company Invenergy, a Chicago-based developer, and Chinese solar panel manufacturer LONGi.

Invenergy, which is developing several solar projects in Ohio, is Illuminate USA's anchor customer.

The opening of the plant comes amid a surge of solar farms being built in Ohio and elsewhere.

There are about 50 projects either in operation, under construction or some other stage of development in the state. Additional projects are awaiting approval by the state.

Illuminate USA CFO Kurt Wagner speaks to employees on Thursday, Feb. 15, which was the first day of production at the new solar panel manufacturer's Pataskala facility. Illuminate USA has hired more than 475 employees in central Ohio and eventually will have 1,000 employees.
Illuminate USA CFO Kurt Wagner speaks to employees on Thursday, Feb. 15, which was the first day of production at the new solar panel manufacturer's Pataskala facility. Illuminate USA has hired more than 475 employees in central Ohio and eventually will have 1,000 employees.

Generation from renewable sources will likely grow in every region of the United States in 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration, which is forecasting a 43% increase in solar power this year.

Renewable energy is expected to produce 24% of the nation's electricity this year and 26% in 2025.

Jim Murphy, president and corporate business leader at Invenergy and chairman of Illuminate USA's board of directors, said American-made solar panels rolling off the line at the Pataskala facility is a significant milestone for advanced manufacturing in the United States.

"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," he said. "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."

Illuminate USA's massive headquarters, located at 3600 Etna Parkway in Pataskala, was originally built as a speculative building. Since last spring, 250 construction workers have constructed rooms for each phase of the solar panel making process: receiving area for raw materials, initial assembly, lamination, curing and quality assurance, and distribution of the completed product.

The facility has one assembly operating now, with plans to have eight lines operating by the end of the year. To date, Illuminate USA has hired more than 475 employees in central Ohio. Eventually, the company will have 1,000 employees.

Some of the first solar panels made at Illuminate USA's Pataskala factory, start production on Thursday, Feb. 15. Illuminate USA will eventually make 9.2 million solar panels annually.
Some of the first solar panels made at Illuminate USA's Pataskala factory, start production on Thursday, Feb. 15. Illuminate USA will eventually make 9.2 million solar panels annually.

"Ohio’s reputation as an advanced manufacturing powerhouse is further reinforced by the fact Illuminate USA quickly identified, hired and trained the hundreds of skilled workers who are now on the job in Pataskala," JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said in a release. "With product now rolling off the line at this new, cutting-edge facility, Ohio is leading the way to boost domestic solar production."

Pataskala Mayor Mike Compton said a number of Pataskala residents now have good paying jobs in a new industry because of Illuminate USA's investments in Licking County.

"We’ve had a strong, positive response to Illuminate from our local workforce and we are excited that the City of Pataskala will soon be known as a hub for solar manufacturing in America," he said.

Brittany Rogers, Illuminate USA's chief human resources and people officer, said the company is focused on hiring and training motivated associates with a passion for innovation.

"The strong response from highly qualified candidates has been inspiring and we have quickly built a top-notch diverse workforce in just a few short months," she said. "It is exciting to see our first class of 'Illuminators' successfully produce a state-of-the-art, American-made product."

There has been some local opposition over the involvement of LONGi, which is a Chinese company, and residents therefore believe it has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Residents of Pataskala and beyond have packed Pataskala City Council meetings since last fall to voice their concerns.

Council members addressed many of the questions during a December meeting and pledged to continue looking for answers to residents questions.

mdevito@gannett.com

740-607-2175

Twitter: @MariaDeVito13

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Pataskala's Illuminate USA starts solar panel production