Swiss solar manufacturer to open first U.S. location in Goodyear

Swiss solar module manufacturing company Meyer Burger Technology is opening its first U.S. production site in the city of Goodyear, the company announced Monday. 

The manufacturing facility will produce high-performance solar modules, and when it opens in late 2022 it’s expected to have a net capacity of 400 megawatts, the company stated. 

The site will later be scaled to a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts. 

When the site first becomes operational late in the new year, it’s expected to create about 250 manufacturing jobs and later up to 500 jobs when it reached full capacity.

Meyer Burger stated the investment in Goodyear is part of a larger strategy to cut emissions and improve overall sustainability by producing modules nearer to end-customers and in greater proximity to regional suppliers of source material. 

“The development of a manufacturing facility in Arizona will provide flexibility, ease of access, and resilience for Meyer Burger's customers in the growing North American market,” the statement read. CEO Gunter Erfurt stated the company is "thrilled to be establishing roots in Arizona and expanding our footprint to the United States," adding that "Solar energy will be critical to achieving U.S. and global clean energy goals."

News that the company planned to come to the U.S. for its first location outside of Europe came in September 2021, though at the time, the company did not reveal where the facility would be built. 

State and local leaders lauded the move, including Gov. Doug Ducey who said  the company's decision to come to Goodyear will “further enhance Arizona's standout reputation as a renewable energy leader.” 

Ducey also recognized the role late Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord played in attracting Meyer Burger to Goodyear. Lord died Dec. 12, and was succeeded by Joe Pizzillo. 

Mayor Pizzillo was also pleased to welcome Meyer Burger to Goodyear,  attributing the move to the city’s pro-business climate.

Meyer Burger will be moving into a newly built, class-A industrial facility at 1685 S. Litchfield Rd. that is nearly 300,000 square feet.

The company operates at least three production facilities in Europe, two of which opened in the middle of 2021.

This article was updated on  Dec. 28, 2021 at 1:35 p.m. to reflect additional information provided by Meyer Burger.