Image:Nextnova
US‑based solar cell maker Nextnova Solar has announced plans to construct a 2 GW n‑type solar cell manufacturing facility in Oklahoma, with scope to expand the site’s annual nameplate capacity to 5 GW in future development.
The plant is slated for inauguration in November 2026, and mass production is targeted for March 2027. Project details were first shared via a LinkedIn post and promoted by executives from US module manufacturer Thornova. A Thornova spokesperson clarified to PV Tech that Nextnova Solar is an independent entity and not its subsidiary, noting “Thornova Solar is a close partner to Nextnova and one of their first buyers.”
Nextnova’s newly launched website offers no further project‑related information beyond the LinkedIn announcement. PV Tech has contacted Nextnova for additional comments and will publish updates should new details become available.
The announcement comes as domestic solar‑cell production emerges as a high‑priority segment within the US PV supply chain. While US module capacity has expanded rapidly over the past two years, domestic solar‑cell capacity remains constrained. PV Tech Research forecasts that by 2027, the US will reach 96 GW of annual module nameplate capacity versus just over 50 GW for solar cells. New cell‑manufacturing projects such as Nextnova’s are expected to narrow this capacity gap.
According to clean‑energy financing platform Crux, US solar manufacturing investment rose 30% quarter‑on‑quarter to USD 893 million in Q2 2026. Meanwhile, the value of newly announced domestic manufacturing projects reached USD 10 billion in the quarter, hitting the highest level since Q1 2024.
