Translucent Energy Solar Factory
Translucent Energy has launched a 1.3-gigawatt solar factory in South Carolina, creating 167 jobs and expanding the state's solar industry
Translucent Energy, a Charleston-based firm, has officially launched a 1.3-gigawatt solar factory in Summerville, South Carolina, creating 167 jobs by the end of the year. According to the company's CTO, Dr. Nabih Cherradi, the factory will produce solar modules for utility-scale, commercial, industrial, and residential users.
South Carolina's Solar Industry
South Carolina ranks 24th in the US for installed solar capacity, with only 3.9% of the state's electricity coming from solar. The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that the state will add just 1.7 gigawatts of solar capacity over the next five years, placing it 36th for projected growth. As of June, there were only 516 solar jobs in the state, spread among 105 entities.
Solar Factory Details
The new factory represents a significant step up for South Carolina's solar industry. Translucent Energy's Managing Director, Augustus Rylands, welcomes the recent Section 232 tariffs on polysilicon, a key ingredient in solar cells, which will give American solar manufacturers long-term certainty to invest at scale. The company plans to expand into US cell and wafer manufacturing in the near future.
Microgrid Solutions
In addition to manufacturing solar modules, Translucent Energy has developed a transportable, containerized microgrid portfolio called TAU. The system can be folded up and transported elsewhere as needed and is designed for microgrids, rural electrification, electric vehicles charging infrastructure, and other applications. The company also offers a fully customized microgrid and EV charging system for fleets, which can operate off-grid or with a grid connection.
The following table compares the different microgrid systems offered by Translucent Energy:
| System | Description | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| TAU | Transportable, containerized microgrid | Microgrids, rural electrification, EV charging |
| EV-E | Integrated EV charging stations | EV charging networks, fleets |
| EV-E4 | Charges up to 4 EVs at a time | Fleets, EV charging networks |
| EV-E7 | Charges up to 7 EVs at a time | Fleets, EV charging networks |
| EV-E BASE | Accommodates existing EV charging stations | Developers, grid connections |
The company's microgrid solutions are designed for efficient set-up and seamless operation, with remote monitoring and configuration capabilities. Translucent Energy's solar factory and microgrid solutions are expected to contribute to the growth of the US solar industry, which currently falls considerably below demand.
