Originally published August 16, 2023.
Siemens will begin manufacturing photovoltaic (PV) string inverters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the company will produce utility-scale solar components specifically designed to serve the US market. The Kenosha facility, owned and operated by the company’s long-time manufacturing partner Sanmina, will help meet increased demand for localized production of critical parts for PV projects while helping customers take advantage of the full value of solar tax credits and domestic content incentives.
The facility is projected to begin production in early 2024 and will scale up to a capacity of 5200 BPTL3 string inverters (800 MW) per year. The string inverters, which will range from 125 to 155 kW, will be manufactured with a California Energy Commission (CEC) efficiency of 99%. The inverters are designed for 1000- or 1500-Volt DC solar array input and can be used for either decentralized or “virtual central” design architectures.
Operations at the Kenosha facility will be the newest addition to Siemens’ growing US footprint, underscoring the company’s manufacturing presence in its largest market. Over the past four years, Siemens has invested US$3 billion to expand US manufacturing and other strategic mergers and acquisitions.
“According to the Solar Energy Industries Association [SEIA], the total number of installed US solar fleets is expected to grow fivefold from 2022 to 2033, and with tax credits now available due to the Inflation Reduction Act, that demand will only get stronger,” said Brian Dula, vice president of the electrification and automation business at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. “Working with Sanmina to establish this new production line, Siemens is well positioned to address supply challenges our country is facing as we work to localize production for green and renewable infrastructure.”
Work at the facility will create up to a dozen jobs during its initial ramp-up period, with plans to grow this number at the facility and through the regional supply chain in the future.
“As the largest commercial solar company in the country, Summit Ridge Energy is always looking for opportunities to use American-made technology in our projects. We congratulate Siemens — our long-term partner — on their decision to manufacture inverters in the United States which supports our efforts to provide affordable energy to American communities and businesses, strengthen the domestic manufacturing industry, and create family-sustaining jobs,” said Raj Soi, executive vice president of operations at Summit Ridge Energy.
Production at the Kenosha facility joins a growing family of Siemens infrastructure manufacturing hubs across the United States. In addition to delivering critical electrical equipment for the solar industry, the company’s facilities and operations provide power infrastructure technologies that support semiconductor and battery manufacturing, data centers, and other key markets.
