Norwegian solar company selects Tulsa as site for its first factory in the United States

Norwegian solar energy company NorSun plans to invest $620 million into a new Tulsa factory, the company’s first in the United States.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT), Tulsa Regional Chamber and City of Tulsa facilitated the expansion, which will encompass a new 5-gigawatt silicon ingot and solar wafer manufacturing facility that is expected to create 320 jobs. The factory will provide critically needed domestic production of ingot and wafer capacity to meet the increasing demand from U.S. solar cell and panel manufacturers, supporting the growth of the renewable energy sector.

“Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a partner who can work fast and efficiently to meet the critical need of American-made energy,” said NorSun CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre. “Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection journey. Its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs were already on our radar, and its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options solidified our decision.”

NorSun has identified a Greenfield, shovel-ready site of about 60-acres of lease property east of Mingo Road and west of U.S. 169.

“Tulsa continues to catch the attention of not only US companies but also companies on a global scale,” said Mike Neal, President and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “Word is spreading – our skilled workforce and excellent business climate puts us front and center on the international stage. We are excited to welcome NorSun to the region as it connects an important link for the solar industry supply chain.”

Production is anticipated to come online in 2026, making the Oklahoma facility among the first in the United States to produce high-performing silicon ingots and wafers, currently the biggest bottleneck in achieving a fully domestic solar supply chain. The Tulsa site offers an opportunity to further expand production up to 10GW as the country continues to prioritize domestic energy manufacturing.

“I’m proud to welcome NorSun to Oklahoma, and I’m thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa area and a $620 million capital investment,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Our pro-growth polices, workforce development efforts, and ‘more of everything’ energy approach makes us an incredible state to invest in, and I’m glad NorSun can be a part of it.”

In 2023, there were a total of 88 announcements for Commerce-assisted new and expanding companies statewide with a potential investment of $3.6 billion, including Pratt & Whitney, American Airlines, Enel, Windshape and Blue Whale Materials. These projects are expected to create at least 7,000 new jobs.

“I want to thank NorSun for their significant investment and support to add jobs in Tulsa and create further opportunity for industry needs across the globe,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “This project represents the work of so many, and we are excited about the positive impact and direction this new development will have in Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.”

“We are thrilled to see continued foreign direct investment on a portion of our 1,200-plus acres of available development land” said Daniel Regan, director of real estate and development for TAIT. “We look forward to working with the NorSun team and assisting in their expedited delivery of this world class manufacturing plant on our shovel-ready site.”