ES Foundry supplying U.S.-made solar cells to Bila Solar
ES Foundry recently opened a crystalline solar cell production facility in Greenwood, South Carolina (we attended the ribbon cutting) — big news because of the general lack of U.S.-made solar cells. Post-ribbon cutting, we awaited news on where these solar cells would be going. Last week we found out one major partner: Bila Solar.
Bila Solar, a new solar panel manufacturer based in Indianapolis, secured 300 MW of ES Foundry solar cells in a multi-year agreement. This strategic partnership between ES Foundry and Bila Solar highlights the growing demand for domestically produced solar technology and the ongoing shift toward onshoring critical manufacturing.
“By partnering with a forward-thinking module manufacturer like Bila Solar, we’re expanding access to high-efficiency solar products and driving domestic manufacturing growth,” said Ken Johnston, Vice President of Sales at ES Foundry. “This reduces reliance on imports and reinforces the U.S. as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing.”
These modules can help solar developers access the ITC’s 10% domestic content bonus credit, particularly on ground-mount projects such as fixed-tilt and carport solar applications. Production of Bila Solar’s new line of domestic cell modules will start in May.
ES Foundry cell manufacturing
ES Foundry’s solar cell manufacturing facility in South Carolina is now delivering high-efficiency monocrystalline bifacial PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) solar cells. ES Foundry CEO and founder Alex Zhu said he chose the Greenwood location because of the local manufacturing base and the existing Fujifilm infrastructure. On Jan. 15, ES Foundry announced its first GW+, multi-year contract with a “top-tier solar module manufacturer,” and Zhu expects to announce additional partnerships to supply U.S. module manufacturers in the weeks ahead.
Bila Solar solar modules
Bila Solar recently completed retrofitting a former Eli Lilly factory to produce its patented ultra-lightweight solar panels. We interviewed the Bila Solar team at Intersolar in San Diego and will have more to say on that intriguing product line. But, Bila is being sure to diversify, adding a conventional 550W glass and aluminum frame module to its product lineup — this will incorporate the domestically produced solar cells from ES Foundry.
“With 100% of our products manufactured in Indianapolis, Bila Solar is committed to delivering high-performance, domestically sourced solar modules,” said Mick McDaniel, General Manager at Bila Solar. “Ever since the U.S. Treasury published its Safe Harbor guidelines regarding the 10% domestic content bonus credit, we’ve seen greater interest in a U.S.-produced module that incorporates a U.S.-made solar cell. Bila Solar is excited to be one of the first companies to offer this product into the marketplace.”
