Corning raises planned Michigan solar investment to $1.5 billion

Corning has increased the planned investment in its Richland Township, Michigan, solar-component factory to $1.5 billion. The additional $600 million is expected to support 400 more jobs, bringing the project total to 1,500. In the reporting published on 1 May 2025, production was expected in the second half of the year, according to chairman and chief executive Wendell Weeks. The factory will operate through the company's Solar Technology subsidiary and manufacture solar wafers.

Earlier project and support

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation's 27 February 2024 announcement described an investment of up to $900 million and more than 1,100 anticipated jobs. The proposed Richland Township facility in Saginaw County was to be developed for the wholly owned Solar Technology subsidiary. The agency said starting wages were expected to exceed the regional median, with a comprehensive employee-benefits package. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved:

A $68 million performance-based industry grant.
A fifteen-year assessment exemption valued at $12.3 million.
A $29 million grant to Thomas Township for infrastructure, road improvements and related costs.

Solar supply partnership

In their 6 March 2025 joint announcement, Corning, Suniva and Heliene described an agreement for a solar module made with domestically manufactured polysilicon, wafers and cells. Corning supplies the wafers and sources high-purity polysilicon from Hemlock Semiconductor, in which it holds a majority interest. Both inputs are produced in Michigan, while the cells are made in Georgia. The companies said the module's solar cell would contain up to 66% domestic content, supporting access to the domestic-content investment-tax-credit bonus.

About Corning

Corning's 2024 annual report traces its origins to a glass business established in 1851. The present corporation was incorporated in New York in December 1936 and adopted the Corning Incorporated name in April 1989. The report described a manufacturing network of 124 plants across fifteen countries and five reportable segments: optical communications, display technologies, specialty materials, environmental technologies and life sciences. Its products include optical fibre and connectivity equipment, display glass, mobile-device cover materials, drug-discovery products, and automotive clean-air technologies. Solar and semiconductor markets also form part of its materials-science business.