United StatesNexamp, a leading US community solar provider, announced a strategic partnership with domestic solar module manufacturer Heliene to procure 1.5 GW of solar modules over the next five years. This represents the largest community solar module order in US history.
These modules, to be manufactured at Heliene's Minnesota facility, will support Nexamp's development and construction of about 400 new community solar projects across the country. Collectively, these projects are expected to provide clean energy savings to about 250,000 households while increasing clean energy supply on the grid.
With the support of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which extends and expands investment tax credits for clean energy resources, Heliene had expanded its facility in November last year and has additional expansions planned for September 2023 to increase its manufacturing capacity.
"We are grateful for the partnership that Heliene and Nexamp are forging to bring the solar supply chain back to the United States," said Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, during the announcing event. "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, companies like Nexamp [and Heliene] can make investments that boost American manufacturing and create American jobs, while lowering families' energy bills."
"A solar order of this size is without precedent and comes at a critical time as the US continues to develop its solar supply chain. This partnership wouldn't be possible without the Inflation Reduction Act, and is proof that this historic piece of legislation is continuing to encourage renewable energy production and help drive the energy transition," commented Zaid Ashai, Chairman and CEO of Nexamp.
"The well-designed incentives and the industrial policy included in the IRA will drive continued growth of solar projects and this partnership puts Heliene and Nexamp on track to meet demand with high-quality, domestically manufactured solar modules," said Martin Pochtaruk, President of Heliene.
In addition to boosting the domestic solar manufacturing capacity, Nexamp and Heliene's partnership will support additional research and development and create about 1,000 green jobs throughout the Iron Range region of Minnesota to support local economic growth.
