Array Technologies has cut the ribbon on a new 216,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Company representatives say the new plant represents a significant advancement for domestic manufacturing of U.S. solar technology.

The New Mexico-based developer of solar tracking technology and fixed-tilt products, foundation and other balance-of-system solutions, software and services celebrated the opening of its more than $50 million manufacturing facility on Sept. 9. The new plant is roughly three times the size of Array’s prior Albuquerque site, expanding the company’s domestic manufacturing capabilities and supporting approximately 300 jobs across production, assembly, design, engineering, customer service and other functions.

Founded and headquartered in Albuquerque for more than 35 years, Array has grown from its New Mexico roots into a global solar technology leader with more than 100 GW of tracker deployments worldwide. The new facility builds on that history, and expands ARRAY’s ability to deliver benefits to customers through greater supply-chain control, shorter delivery times, lower costs, and increased flexibility.

“Array was founded here in Albuquerque, and manufacturing has been at the heart of our company from the beginning,” said Kevin Hostetler, CEO of Array Technologies. “This investment reflects our confidence in the future of Array, our commitment to our customers and our continued belief in American solar manufacturing. By expanding what we can produce here at home, we are strengthening our supply chain, creating skilled career opportunities and building capabilities that will help us serve our customers for years to come.”

Ribbon cutting draws powerful crowd

Array commemorated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring remarks from U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Bernalillo County Commissioner Barbara Baca, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Tim Pawlenty, CEO of American Clean Power Association (ACP) Jason Grumet, employees, customers, suppliers and community partners. Guests toured the facility and saw firsthand the advanced manufacturing processes that will support ARRAY’s growing domestic production capabilities.

“Array Technologies’ new $50 million facility on Albuquerque’s West Side is a testament to the strength of our workforce and New Mexico’s leadership in unlocking our country’s clean energy future,” says Heinrich, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This new facility will employ more than 300 New Mexicans and create high-skilled jobs, from welders to tooling and die technicians. It’s proof that when we invest in American-made energy, we’re not just building the technologies that will power our future, we’re creating good-paying jobs, strengthening local economies, and helping lower electricity costs for families and small businesses. And this is just the beginning.”

Bringing more production in-house

Built around lean manufacturing principles and a culture of continuous improvement, the new facility enables Array to bring production in-house for components the company has historically sourced from outside suppliers. Several components manufactured at the facility qualify for the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit, which supports continued investment in U.S. manufacturing and helps domestically produced components remain cost competitive with imports.

“America needs more low-cost, reliable electricity and Array’s proving we can build it with American workers, American manufacturing, and American ingenuity,” says Pawlenty.

The campus will also expand opportunities for skilled manufacturing careers in Albuquerque, including roles such as stamping press operators, tooling and die technicians, and process engineers.

The facility was supported through a public-private partnership that includes $2.5 million from New Mexico’s Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) job-creation fund, as well as $250,000 each in LEDA funding from the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County and partial property-tax abatement through an Industrial Revenue Bond.

The LEED-certified building is designed to support ARRAY’s current manufacturing needs while providing capacity for future growth across the Company’s broader portfolio.

Tags: Array Technologies, domestic content, fixed tilt, manufacturing, supply chain, Tracker Systems