US First Solar seeks approval to expand capacity of Vietnam plant
First Solar, an American manufacturer of solar panels, is seeking Vietnamese authorities' nod to enlarge the capacity of its VND23.9 trillion ($942.5 million) factory in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to its application for an environmental safety permit submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, First Solar says it aims to increase the factory’s annual output of solar photovoltaic modules from 7.3 million to 9.13 million items.
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (second, right) John Kerry and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper visit the First Solar Vietnam factory in HCMC on February 25, 2022. Photo courtesy of First Solar Vietnam.
The company is also looking to expand the annual production of crushed glass derived from solar photovoltaic modules from 2,764 to 15,000 tons, and chemicals derived from those modules from 81 to 146 tons.
First Solar has completed the construction of two production lines, covering 20.6 hectares at the facility’s total area of 44.2 hectares.
For the expansion, First Solar will only make technical upgrades to “bottleneck” phases, such as semiconductor coating, cadmium chloride heating, zinc telluride coating, laser cutting and engraving, and packaging.
First Solar will also integrate new technologies to optimize production, such as vibration analysis, infrared scanning, torque monitoring, and automation.
Established in 1999, First Solar started investment and production in Vietnam in 2017. Its $1.07 billion investment at Dong Nam Industrial Park in Ho Chi Minh City started operations in 2018 with an annual capacity of 5.31 million tons of solar photovoltaic modules. After five years, the firm expanded its operation to 7.3 million tons of solar photovoltaic modules.
- Related News
- Read More
Diversifying export markets ‘golden key’ for Vietnamese firms: CEO
Expanding into alternative export markets such as India and the Middle East could prove a “golden key” for Vietnamese businesses, as demand in these regions remains strong and entry requirements are less stringent than in the U.S., according to Nguyen Tuan Viet, CEO of Vietgo, an im-export consultancy company.
Economy - Thu, April 23, 2026 | 11:39 am GMT+7
Vietnam banks face tightening margins, liquidity pressures in 2026
Vietnam’s banking sector is entering a period of heightened selectivity in 2026, with capital strength and liquidity management emerging as decisive factors separating lenders able to expand from those forced to scale back operations.
Banking - Thu, April 23, 2026 | 8:17 am GMT+7
Russia’s Novatek eyes LNG investment opportunities in central Vietnam
Novatek, Russia's leading natural gas producer, is exploring investment opportunities in Vietnam’s LNG sector, with a particular focus on Thanh Hoa province.
Energy - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 10:52 pm GMT+7
Vingroup’s VinDynamics partners Schaeffler to develop humanoid robot components
VinDynamics, a tech arm of Vietnam’s conglomerate Vingroup (HoSE: VIC), has signed an MoU with Germany’s motion technology firm Schaeffler to jointly develop key components for humanoid robots.
Companies - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 4:23 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s top dairy producer Vinamilk targets modest growth as weak dairy demand persists
Vinamilk (HoSE: VNM) set cautious growth targets for 2026, as it navigates weak consumer demand and rising input costs despite a strong start to the year.
Companies - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 4:09 pm GMT+7
Vietnam targets over 6,500 km of expressways by 2030: minister
Vietnam aims to complete 6,539 kilometers of expressways by 2030, nearly doubling the current network of about 3,345 km already in operation, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said.
Infrastructure - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 3:28 pm GMT+7
Labeling real estate as ‘high-risk’ inappropriate: association head
Vietnam’s long-standing classification of real estate as a high-risk sector in credit policy is improper and may be distorting the market, according to Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA).
Real Estate - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 3:18 pm GMT+7
Foreign outflows in Vietnam’s stock market to ease from mid-2026: brokerage CEO
Net foreign selling on Vietnam’s stock market is expected to ease and potentially reverse from mid-2026 as macro conditions stabilize and prospects for a market status upgrade become clearer, CEO of An Binh Securities (ABS) said.
Finance - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 12:34 pm GMT+7
10% crude oil price hike could trim Vietnam’s growth by 0.4%: finance minister
A 10% increase in crude oil prices could reduce Vietnam’s economic growth by about 0.4% and push inflation up by around 0.5%, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan said on Tuesday.
Economy - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 11:45 am GMT+7
Vincom Retail reverses course, proposes cash dividend ahead of AGM
Vincom Retail, a subsidiary of Vingroup, has proposed a cash dividend for 2026, reversing an earlier plan to retain earnings, as the company prepares for its annual general meeting on Thursday.
Companies - Wed, April 22, 2026 | 8:17 am GMT+7
VinFast overtakes Tesla as Q1 best-selling battery electric vehicle brands in Philippines
VinFast, the EV subsidiary of Vietnam’s conglomerate Vingroup, has surpassed Tesla to be the best-selling battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand in the Phillipines in the first quarter of 2026.
Companies - Tue, April 21, 2026 | 9:05 pm GMT+7
Usilk City urban area project case in Hanoi referred to police for investigation over alleged violations
Vietnam's Government Inspectorate has decided to refer the case related to the expanded Van Khe urban area project (Usilk City) to the Ministry of Public Security for investigation and handling in accordance with the law, after identifying a number of wrongdoings.
Real Estate - Tue, April 21, 2026 | 5:12 pm GMT+7
ACV proposes shifting most international flights from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh by 2027
Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has proposed shifting the bulk of international flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to the Long Thanh International Airport in neighboring Dong Nai province under a phased plan that could see more than 90% of international passenger traffic handled by the new airport as early as 2027.
Economy - Tue, April 21, 2026 | 5:03 pm GMT+7
Tasco chairman outlines growth plan as shareholders lament losses
Shareholders of Tasco JSC voiced concerns at the firm’s annual general meeting on Monday after "holding HUT shares for three years without breaking even", prompting chairman Vu Dinh Do to outline key priorities for the company’s next phase of growth.
Companies - Tue, April 21, 2026 | 3:22 pm GMT+7
More than a marathon: How Carlsberg Vietnam runs together to build a stronger growth culture
For the fifth consecutive year, Carlsberg Vietnam, together with its iconic Huda brand, returned as one of the main sponsors of VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026. But for the company, this was never simply about sponsoring a race. It was about something far bigger: how culture, leadership, and shared purpose create the foundation for sustainable growth.
Companies - Tue, April 21, 2026 | 12:17 pm GMT+7
AnPro drives An Phat Holdings’ expansion into interior materials
An Phat Holdings is expanding beyond engineering plastics into high-tech interior materials through its AnPro brand, as part of a broader strategy to move up the value chain.
Companies - Tue, April 21, 2026 | 12:14 pm GMT+7
