Toyo expands Texas solar plant with new HJT cell line

Toyo has expanded its solar module assembly plant in Humble, Texas. The $357 million project increases the facility's nameplate capacity to 2 gigawatts and adds a new 1.5 GW heterojunction (HJT) solar cell manufacturing line. The Japanese manufacturer announced the expansion at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 6, 2026, following an initial announcement in June.

Expansion tied to U.S. trade policy and onshoring efforts

U.S. and Japanese officials directly linked the investment to recent trade policies. U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler stated the move was a consequence of efforts to reshore production. "Toyo’s announcement is the direct result of the Trump Administration’s bold policies to bring manufacturing and jobs back to America," Kessler said. He noted Toyo's commitment to using exclusively U.S. polysilicon and its investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Takeshi Koyama, the Consul General of Japan in Houston, said the project exemplifies the Japan-U.S. economic partnership. He highlighted the creation of hundreds of skilled manufacturing jobs in Texas. The Humble plant first became operational in October 2025.

HJT production line slated for completion in early 2028

The new heterojunction cell line represents a significant technological upgrade for Toyo's U.S. operations. The company expects to complete the line in the first quarter of 2028. Once operational, it is projected to employ 400 workers in addition to the existing module production staff.

HJT cells are anticipated to offer several performance advantages for the North American market. These include higher efficiency, better heat tolerance, and lower degradation levels compared to some conventional cell technologies.

Toyo addresses Ethiopia circumvention inquiry during Analyst Day

Just prior to the ribbon-cutting, Toyo held an Analyst Day webinar on October 6, 2026. Executives used the event to discuss the company's response to an ongoing U.S. Department of Commerce inquiry. The inquiry, initiated in July 2026 following a petition by several domestic solar companies, seeks to determine whether cells made in Ethiopia using Chinese silicon wafers circumvent U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar products.

Toyo currently manufactures solar cells at a 4 GW facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia, and a 2 GW factory in Vietnam. The company stated its Ethiopian-made cells use wafers produced in Indonesia from mostly U.S. polysilicon. Toyo is seeking clarification from the Commerce Department on whether its specific products would face penalties if a broader circumvention finding is made. The company hopes for a path to certification for companies that can provide data showing non-Chinese material sourcing.

Facility audit and ribbon-cutting highlight operational readiness

The expansion announcement was bolstered by strong results from a recent factory audit. Technical service provider Intertek CEA conducted a quality assurance inspection covering systems, processes, and risk controls across twelve major areas. Paul Wormser, Senior Vice President of Intertek CEA, attended the ribbon-cutting and confirmed Toyo received the firm's highest grade.

The October 6 ceremony was attended by Under Secretary Kessler, Consul General Koyama, Intertek's Wormser, and Congressman Christian D. Menefee, a Democrat representing part of Houston. The event included a tour of the upgraded factory. Toyo expects to complete the HJT production line during Q1 2028, employing 400 workers and advancing its U.S.-based solar manufacturing capacity with higher-efficiency, heat-tolerant, and low-degradation cell technology.