T1 Energy has announced its plans to develop G2_Austin, a 5 gigawatt (GW) solar cell manufacturing facility located in Austin, Texas. T1 Energy’s new endeavor is a big one. This investment is a major piece of their overall plan to develop an on-shore supply chain for solar and battery technology. The facility is on track to start producing cells by the end of 2026. Its mission is to provide the most scalable, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions for the United States.
G2_Austin isn’t just a smart manufacturing project. It alone should long be hailed as a positive commitment to creating jobs and increasing economic activity in the region. During the three-year construction phase, the project will create about 1,800 full-time jobs, offering a major lift to the region’s economy. Milam County commissioners last week unanimously approved a short-term tax abatement package that would be worth millions to T1 Energy. This agreement is contingent upon the company’s fulfillment of specified employment and investment in the company.
Partnership and Investment Opportunities
In May of 2025, T1 Energy entered into a heads of agreement with Manaar Gulf Saudi Arabia. Collectively, they will identify specific investment opportunities in G2_Austin to pursue. This partnership represents a critical move toward expanding the facility’s capabilities and ensuring its successful launch.
“We look forward to working with T1 Energy and leveraging our extensive experience in advanced manufacturing facility construction.” – William G Yates III
Through this collaboration, the parties plan to leverage joint resources and expertise, enabling both companies to extract the full value from the G2_Austin project. This initiative aligns with T1 Energy’s vision of creating a robust domestic supply chain that can meet the growing demand for renewable energy technologies.
Government Support and Policy Implications
Tariffs and other policies, which the Trump administration pursued to discourage manufacturing offshoring, have fueled this growing trend. They are firm defenders of American advanced manufacturing, job creation and energy dominance. These policies create a sense of corporate hospitality. In doing so, T1 Energy can make the prudent investments in large-scale renewable energy projects that help drive the clean energy transition.
Daniel Barcelo, a spokesperson for T1 Energy, said that the company was thrilled by the decision and excited about the project’s potential impact on the American energy landscape.
“Solar energy is a foundational part of American power grids. Our facilities will manufacture solar cells and modules to invigorate our economy with abundant energy. We’re excited to work with Yates and Milam County to bring American advanced manufacturing to the heart of Texas and to unlock our most scalable energy resources.” – Daniel Barcelo
T1 Energy is passionate about helping to harness the power of solar technology. This commitment not only increases regional connectivity, it increases the whole economic health of that region as well.