T1 Energy Starts Construction on Texas Solar Cell Fab
Rhea-AI Summary
T1 Energy (NYSE: TE) began construction on its G2_Austin solar cell fab, a planned $400–$425 million investment to build advanced U.S. manufacturing capacity.
The first phase targets 2.1GW annual TOPCon cell capacity and is expected to begin producing cells by end of 2026, a single phase larger than current U.S. silicon-cell capacity. The site covers >100 acres in Milam County, Texas, and is expected to support up to 1,800 advanced manufacturing jobs.
Cells from G2_Austin are intended for modules at T1’s operational 5GW G1_Dallas facility; T1 cites contracts with partners Hemlock Semiconductor and Corning for polysilicon and wafers. A second phase of 3.2GW is planned and may expand if cell demand rises.
Positive
- $400–$425M committed to U.S. solar cell manufacturing
- 2.1GW first-phase annual TOPCon cell capacity, online by end of 2026
- First phase larger than current U.S. silicon-cell manufacturing capacity
- Site expected to support up to 1,800 advanced manufacturing jobs
- Integration with 5GW G1_Dallas module facility and suppliers Hemlock and Corning
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction 31 Alerts
On the day this news was published, TE declined 0.37%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +13.1% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 31 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $6M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.68B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
TE gained 7.51% while peers were mixed: EAF -3.03%, ELVA -1.36%, SDST +1.46%, FCEL +3.04%, TGEN -8.40%, indicating a stock-specific move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11 | Equity/debt offering | Negative | -4.5% | Priced upsized convertible notes and stock offerings to fund G2_Austin phase. |
| Dec 10 | Equity/debt offering | Negative | -8.6% | Proposed concurrent offerings of convertible notes and common stock for G2_Austin. |
| Nov 21 | Strategic meeting | Positive | +0.0% | CEO met U.S. Vice President, reiterated G2_Austin build and jobs plan. |
| Nov 14 | Earnings update | Negative | -3.7% | Q3 loss, financing updates, and reaffirmed guidance plus G2_Austin capex plan. |
| Nov 05 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | +11.1% | Rescheduled Q3 2025 earnings release and conference call timing. |
Recent capital-raising offerings on Dec 10 and Dec 11 coincided with negative price reactions, while neutral or corporate news has shown mixed alignment with subsequent moves.
Over the last few months, T1 Energy has focused on financing and building its integrated Texas solar manufacturing footprint. Offerings on Dec 10 and Dec 11 raised capital for the 2.1 GW G2_Austin phase and FEOC compliance, but produced -8.62% and -4.55% reactions. Earlier, Q3 2025 results on Nov 14 detailed G1_Dallas ramp and G2_Austin plans, while a Nov 21 meeting with the U.S. Vice President reiterated construction timing and costs. Today’s construction-start announcement follows through on those prior plans.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An active S-3 resale registration dated Nov 17, 2025 covers up to 21,504,901 existing shares held by Encompass Capital and other holders. T1 Energy receives no proceeds from these resales, but the registration facilitates potential secondary selling into the market.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement confirms that T1 Energy has moved from planning to active construction of its G2_Austin solar cell fab, targeting 2.1 GW of TOPCon cell capacity by end of 2026 and up to 1,800 new jobs. It builds on prior disclosures about capex and funding tied to recent offerings. Investors may watch execution timelines, integration with the 5 GW G1_Dallas module facility, and ongoing regulatory filings around the company’s capital structure.
Key Terms
topcon technical
polysilicon technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
2.1GW Phase One Expected to Substantially Increase Domestic Silicon Cell Supply
AUSTIN, Texas and NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- T1 Energy Inc. (NYSE: TE) (“T1,” “T1 Energy,” or the “Company”) today announced construction has begun on its G2_Austin solar cell fab, an anticipated
The first phase of the fab is expected to have an annual capacity of 2.1GW of high-efficiency TOPCon solar cells and begin producing cells by the end of 2026. By itself, this first phase of G2 is larger than the existing U.S. capacity to manufacture silicon-based solar cells.
Supported by the Trump Administration's pro-growth economic and trade policies, T1’s investment in G2_Austin is part of its ongoing commitment to building a strong domestic silicon-based manufacturing industry, bolstering American energy security, and creating skilled American jobs.
Situated over 100 acres in Milam County, Texas, G2_Austin is expected to support up to 1,800 new advanced manufacturing jobs.
“G2_Austin is a centerpiece of our strategy to build an integrated U.S. polysilicon solar supply chain,” said T1’s Chairman and CEO Dan Barcelo. “Solar is the most scalable, reliable, and low-cost energy available today, and I look forward to the future of American solar running through Rockdale, Texas.”
The cells manufactured at G2_Austin are expected to be used to manufacture solar modules at T1’s operational 5GW G1_Dallas facility, meeting demand from energy developers seeking domestically produced solar. Combined with a contract to source polysilicon and solar wafers from our partners Hemlock Semiconductor and Corning Inc. in Michigan, T1 anticipates the solar cell fab will be the final major link in a domestic solar supply chain.
The second phase of G2 is expected to be 3.2GW and could be expanded if demand for cells increases.
About T1 Energy
T1 Energy Inc. (NYSE: TE) is an energy solutions provider building an integrated U.S. supply chain for solar and batteries. In December 2024, T1 completed a transformative transaction, positioning the Company as one of the leading solar manufacturing companies in the United States, with a complementary solar and battery storage strategy. Based in the United States with plans to expand its operations in America, the Company is also exploring value optimization opportunities across its portfolio of assets in Europe.
To learn more about T1, please visit www.T1energy.com and follow us on social media.
Investor contact:
Jeffrey Spittel
EVP, Investor Relations and Corporate Development
jeffrey.spittel@T1energy.com
Tel: +1 409 599 5706
Media contact:
Russell Gold
EVP, Strategic Communications
russell.gold@T1energy.com
Tel: +1 214 616 9715
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation with respect to: any dollar amounts of investments related to the G2_Austin solar cell fab, G2_Austin’s ability to significantly expand the U.S. solar supply chain, any expected capacity volumes (or any potential expansions of capacity) generated at G2_Austin, any timeline for cell production, the number of manufacturing jobs that G2_Austin is expected to support, any expected uses of cells manufactured at G2_Austin, the role of solar cell fab in a domestic solar supply chain and T1’s ability to flex capacity to develop up to three phases at G2_Austin. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual future events, results, or achievements to be materially different from the Company’s expectations and projections expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in (i) T1’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2025, as amended and supplemented by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2025, (ii) T1’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on May 15, 2025, as amended and supplemented by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A filed with the SEC on August 18, 2025, (iii) T1’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on August 19, 2025 and (iv) T1’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2025. All of the above referenced filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
T1 intends to use its website as a channel of distribution to disclose information which may be of interest or material to investors and to communicate with investors and the public. Such disclosures will be included on T1’s website in the ‘Investor Relations’ section. T1, and its CEO and Chairman of the Board, Daniel Barcelo, also intend to use certain social media channels, including, but not limited to, X, LinkedIn and Instagram, as means of communicating with the public and investors about T1, its progress, products, and other matters. While not all the information that T1 or Daniel Barcelo post to their respective digital platforms may be deemed to be of a material nature, some information may be. As a result, T1 encourages investors and others interested to review the information that it and Daniel Barcelo posts and to monitor such portions of T1’s website and social media channels on a regular basis, in addition to following T1’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of T1’s website and its and Daniel Barcelo’s social media channels shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
FAQ
What investment did T1 Energy (TE) announce for the G2_Austin solar cell fab on December 17, 2025?
When will T1 Energy’s G2_Austin first phase begin producing solar cells and what is its capacity?
How many jobs will T1 Energy’s G2_Austin facility support and where is it located?
How does G2_Austin fit into T1 Energy’s domestic supply chain and existing capacity?
What suppliers will support T1 Energy’s G2_Austin production?
Is there a planned expansion for T1 Energy’s G2_Austin beyond the first phase?
