Sentinel Staff Reports
A Norwegian solar energy company announced Tuesday that it has selected Tulsa for its first U.S.-based factory expected to bring a $620 million investment, state and airport officials announced.
NorSun’s planned 5-GW silicon ingot and solar wafer manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport will create 320 new direct jobs and provide “critically needed” domestic production of ingot and wafer capacity to meet the increasing demand from U.S. solar cell and panel manufacturers, supporting the growth of the renewable energy sector, officials said.
The agreement was facilitated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust.
Since its startup in 2007, NorSun has been the leading western producer of monocrystalline ingots and wafers for ultra-high efficiency solar cells. Wafer production at the NorSun factory in the village of Årdal, Norway, is based on hydroelectric power, and the company is widely recognized for its high-performance products with minimal CO2 footprint and with the highest standards in corporate environmental and social responsibility.
NorSun is headquartered in Oslo with production facilities in Årdal on the western coast of Norway and employs around 200 employees.
“Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a partner who can work fast and efficiently to meet the critical need of American-made energy,” said NorSun CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre in a statement.
“Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection journey – its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs were already on our radar, and its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options solidified our decision.”
NorSun has identified a greenfield shovel-ready site of approximately 60 acres. Construction is expected to begin in late this year, subject to approvals, necessary permits and final incentive agreements.
Production is anticipated to come online in 2026. The Oklahoma facility will be among the first in the U.S. to produce high-performing silicon ingots and wafers, currently the biggest bottleneck in achieving a fully domestic solar supply chain.
The Tulsa site offers an opportunity to further expand production up to 10 GW as the U.S. continues to prioritize domestic energy manufacturing.
“I’m proud to welcome NorSun to Oklahoma, and I’m thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa area and a $620 million capital investment,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Our pro-growth polices, workforce development efforts, and ‘more of everything’ energy approach makes us an incredible state to invest in, and I’m glad NorSun can be a part of it.”
“I want to thank NorSun for their significant investment and support to add jobs in Tulsa and create further opportunity for industry needs across the globe,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a statement. “This project represents the work of so many and we are excited about the positive impact and direction this new development will have in Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.”
JLL’s David Ross, Meredith O’Connor and Amy Craig led the national site selection process and economic incentive advisory for NorSun. “Oklahoma, the City of Tulsa, and Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust were aggressive in their pursuit of this exciting project and put forth an attractive economic package, development-ready site, and workforce partners which compelled NorSun to choose Tulsa, Oklahoma,” said Meredith O’Connor, International Director at JLL.
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