Manufacturing Renaissance: Shining a Bright Light for Ohio’s Future

I’m trying to leave a legacy for my children.

This is the new energy, so why wouldn’t it be a generational opportunity for family?

Deon White, Night Shift Manager

The first and largest U.S. plant to produce high quality (550w) solar panels is providing residents in and around Pataskala, Ohio with new, good-paying jobs. 

Over 1,000 employees—or “Illuminators”—go to work each day at the massive new facility, which was announced in March 2023 and started production less than a year later.

It’s now the largest employer in the city.

They plan to produce nearly 10 million solar panels each year.  That’s enough to produce 5 GW of solar energy and power 1 million homes.  

And in less than six months of starting operations, IlluminateUSA workers produced their one millionth solar panel at the new facility.

“All Ohioans should be proud of the work we’re doing here, it’s so forward-thinking, it’s the future.”
Justin Barnhart, Equipment Engineer

Many of these jobs didn’t exist in the U.S. before the facility started production.  

When the facility did open, the jobs were filled immediately—and the facility had a solid wait list for future hiring.

“It’s a great opportunity for people of all ages, honestly. We have people here in their sixties, and people who are eighteen years old.”
Jason Adams, Packaging 

IlluminateUSA plans to have over 1,200 Illuminators by the end of the year.

“People can actually support their families from the money they make here.”
Lisa Rawson, Production Operator

In Pataskala, Ohio, the workers at this new solar panel facility are not only building renewable energy solutions in and for the USA, but also creating lasting legacies for the next generation. 

Find more stories of the new U.S. clean energy manufacturing renaissance in ACP’s Clean Energy Investing in America report.