
Made-in-USA Solar Panels to Power Google Data Centers, Boosting Local Economy and Manufacturing
Jan 18
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A Historic Milestone for Utility-Scale Solar in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its policy office, has announced a groundbreaking initiative that marks a significant step forward in clean energy and domestic manufacturing. Made-in-America solar panels are now set to power Google data centers in Texas, creating a model of sustainable growth and local economic development.
The DOE calls this initiative one of the first publicly announced utility-scale solar projects with U.S.-manufactured panels. These panels, which qualify for the Domestic Content Tax Credit, are poised to provide renewable electricity to multiple Google data centers in Ellis County, Texas, and surrounding areas.
Orion Solar Projects: A Shining Example of Clean Energy Innovation
Last October, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm inaugurated the Orion I, II, and III solar projects in Milam County, Texas. These facilities, operated by SB Energy, leverage 1.3 million solar modules produced by First Solar in its Perrysburg, Ohio, facility. With a combined capacity of 875 MW, the projects generate power comparable to an average-sized natural gas plant, supplying clean energy to the Texas grid and Google’s operations.
Driving Domestic Manufacturing and Job Creation
The Orion Solar Projects showcase the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in revitalizing domestic manufacturing. Key project components include:
Solar Panels: Produced by First Solar in Ohio.
Structural Steel: Sourced from Gerdau’s mills in Texas and Georgia.
Smart Solar Trackers: Supplied by Nextracker, a leader in solar tracker technology.
These efforts have qualified the projects for a 50% investment tax credit, underlining the success of federal incentives like the Domestic Content Bonus.
The broader impact of the IRA is evident. Since its passage, Texas alone has announced 16 new or expanded solar facilities, representing over 33 GW of manufacturing capacity, $1.8 billion in investments, and 7,000 potential new jobs. Nationwide, over 35 new solar factories have been launched, investing $3 billion and creating more than 9,500 jobs.
Supporting Data Center Growth with Clean Energy
As energy-intensive data centers continue to expand, the DOE's Data Center Engagement Team is implementing innovative strategies to meet rising electricity demand sustainably. Key initiatives include:
Repurposing retired coal facilities for data centers and power infrastructure.
Integrating onsite clean energy generation and storage for grid flexibility.
Developing innovative tariff structures to support clean energy adoption.
Advancing next-generation technologies such as geothermal, advanced nuclear, and long-duration storage.
The Orion Solar Projects exemplify this strategy, contributing to clean energy goals while addressing the growing power needs of data centers.