Suniva making $350 million investment in county

The Laurens County Council cleared the way Monday night for Suniva, Inc. to build its first South Carolina-based manufacturing facility and for the largest industrial development investment in the county not involving ZF Transmissions.

Suniva is set to build a $350 million solar cell manufacturing facility at Hunter Industrial Park that will create 564 new jobs.

It is the third-largest investment in the county. The top two spots are held by ZF’s initial investment here and its 2024 expansion.

The company plans to lease a 620,000 square-foot building, located at 1200 Commerce Blvd. in Laurens, to produce advanced solar cells. The manufacturing facility, in conjunction with Suniva’s existing plant in Georgia, will support the company’s commitment to independent clean energy production, a release read.

“Since its founding in 2007, Suniva has championed U.S. leadership in solar energy manufacturing,” said Suniva CEO Tony Enyre. “Solar is the fastest and most economical way to grow our nation’s energy supply — and at this critical juncture, access to energy will determine how America competes for generations to come. Our expansion in South Carolina means that renewable energy, made right here at home, will now do more than ever to secure that future.”

With the addition of the Laurens County facility, Suniva will produce over 5.5GW of solar cells annually, one of the largest such capacities in the United States.

Operations in Laurens are expected to begin in 2027.

County council unanimously approved third and final reading of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) agreement at its regular meeting Monday night, the final approval needed by the county for the project to move forward.

“Laurens County is excited to welcome Suniva and their first South Carolina operation to our community,” said Laurens County Council Chairman Jeff Carroll. “The investment commitment and job creation are a testament to our business-friendly environment. We look forward to a great partnership with Suniva for many years to come.”
Suniva is one of the largest and oldest merchant solar cell manufacturers in the U.S. Founded in 2007 out of U.S. Department of Energy-funded research at the University Center for Excellence in Photovoltaics at Georgia Tech, the company became well known for leading the push for solar cell manufacturing in the nation.

“By selecting its location in Laurens County, Suniva joins a growing number of manufacturers in Upstate South Carolina whose products help to power the world, deepening our expertise in advanced energy, said John Lummus, President and CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance. “We’re excited for the opportunities they will create in our region and look forward to watching them grow.”

The addition of Suniva, which was previously entitled “Project Sunshine” by the Laurens County Development Corporation as it went through the approval process, is one of several announced by the LCDC in 2026.

Shamrock Technologies received final approval for a $39.6 million investment to relocate its corporate headquarters to the county in March. R.E. Michel Company opened a 600,000 square-foot distribution center in Clinton in early March and Coastal Precast Systems expanded its operations to Clinton in February with a $9 million investment and 70 new jobs.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

“With the addition of 564 jobs in advanced manufacturing and energy, Suniva’s decision to put down roots in the Palmetto State will create new opportunities for our workforce,” said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. “This investment strengthens our commitment to innovative energy solutions, and we are proud to welcome Suniva to Laurens County.”