By The Star Staff
Great Lakes Solx PR LLC (Solx), a solar panel manufacturing company, announced plans to establish the first solar panel manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico.
The company will occupy the former Hewlett Packard (HP) facility in Aguadilla, spanning 65 acres, with commercial operations expected to begin in April 2025. The initiative aligns with Puerto Rico’s aspirations in the adoption of renewable energy and provides a significant boost to the local economy.
“We have carefully selected our space in Aguadilla, on the HP campus, because we believe in the potential of this incredible community. HP did a phenomenal job maintaining the state-of-the-art facility, and we are working tirelessly to launch operations next year,” said James Holmes, co-founder and CEO of Solx. “We are excited to contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting Puerto Rico’s renewable energy future.”
Puerto Rico is regarded as a leader in solar energy adoption, fueled by the Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act (Act 17-2019) and significant investments by the U.S. Department of Energy under the Inflation Reduction Act. The island has set a clear goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2050, with intermediate milestones of 40% by 2025 and 60% by 2040. The Solx facility will play a key role in helping Puerto Rico achieve those goals, the firm’s CEO said, producing up to 1.2 gigawatts of solar panels annually to support both local projects and broader markets in the continental United States.
“We are committed to supporting Puerto Rico’s transition to a sustainable future powered by renewable energy,” Holmes added. “By manufacturing solar panels locally, we aim to directly contribute to the island’s energy transformation.”
The new Solx plant will initially generate up to 250 full-time, high-level jobs, offering valuable career opportunities for island residents. The positions will allow Puerto Rico residents to participate in a growing industry, providing long-term economic stability.
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia welcomed the project, stating: “Puerto Rico offers an ideal location and a perfect talent pool for solar panel manufacturing.”
“This new facility will create affordable solar panels to meet the growing demand for clean energy in the region,” the governor said. “The investment will drive economic growth and job creation, in turn helping to build a sustainable future for Puerto Rico. We welcome Solx to Aguadilla and applaud their vision of supporting the transition to renewable energy.”
“With this type of investment, we have a great opportunity to become a model for other islands and communities that are transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy,” Pierluisi added. “I am confident that with the right investments and policies we are creating, Puerto Rico can transform its energy system in a way that is both sustainable and economically beneficial.”
Solx partnered with Invest Puerto Rico (InvestPR), which has played a crucial role in facilitating the company’s arrival on the island, guiding them through the available incentives along with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), connecting the firm with real estate and talent selection resources, and introducing it to key stakeholders such as sector experts and industry associations.
Ella Woger-Nieves, CEO of InvestPR, stressed the importance of the alliance, noting that “Solx’s decision to establish its operations in Puerto Rico is a testament to the island’s potential as a hub for renewable energy innovation.”
“We are proud to have supported Solx in the processes to establish its facilities here,” she said. “This initiative contributes to our renewable energy goals while creating valuable opportunities for Puerto Ricans in a critical and growing industry.”
InvestPR and DDEC will also support Solx’s workforce development efforts, ensuring that local talent is equipped with the skills necessary to excel in the renewable energy sector.
“Once again we see how high-caliber companies decide to establish themselves on the island thanks to our unique value proposition and a highly qualified and trained workforce,” DDEC Secretary Manuel Cidre Miranda said. “Solx’s investment will create over 250 jobs in Aguadilla and help meet the high demand for solar panels in Puerto Rico.”
That's Great news, specially for the western part of the island. Hope that this event will attract other large industries in coming to the P.R, specially
to the western area or the island which
needs to revive it's economy long gone.