Corning Inc. Expands Solar Manufacturing in Michigan to $1.5 Billion

Corning Incorporated announced last week that it is expanding its advanced solar manufacturing operations in Saginaw County, Michigan.

The company is increasing its investment in a new solar component facility from $1 billion to $1.5 billion, creating about 400 new jobs for a total of 1,500 positions at the site.

Key Developments

• Corning’s new Michigan facility in Richland Township will manufacture key solar components, including high-quality solar wafers.

• The plant builds on Corning’s polysilicon manufacturing through its ownership of Hemlock Semiconductor, one of the only U.S. producers of solar-grade polysilicon (a raw material in solar cell manufacturing).

• The expansion is a response to a surge in demand for US-made solar products, driven by market needs and federal incentives for domestic clean energy manufacturing.

In a statement, Wendell P. Weeks, Corning’s chairman and CEO, said, “We are proud to meet the increasing demand for US-sourced solar products by accelerating the ramp of our advanced manufacturing assets and support the nation’s priority of domestic energy security.”

The Lewiston Ferry solar array installation by Norwich Solar in an undated image. The project used Heliene modules in construction. Image: Heliene

Boosting the Domestic Supply Chain

• Corning’s expanded manufacturing in Michigan, the company said, will allow it to supply more high-quality solar wafers and strengthen the U.S. solar supply chain by working with top domestic partners.

• In March 2025, Corning, Suniva, and Heliene announced the first and only solar module in the U.S. made entirely with American-produced polysilicon, wafers, and cells.

• The partnership helps support US energy security and allows solar developers to qualify for the Investment Tax Credit domestic content bonus.

The polysilicon and wafers are made in Michigan, and the cells are made in Georgia, resulting in modules with up to 66% domestic content, which Corning says is the highest currently available.

Corning is a materials science company that makes advanced glass, ceramics, and optical products for mobile devices, telecommunications, automotive, and life sciences.

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