Manufacturer to establish $33M US operations in Orangeburg County

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Hounen Solar, a global solar panel manufacturer, will invest $33 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operations in Orangeburg County, creating 200 new jobs. The company’s $33 million investment will create 200 new jobs.

Headquartered in Chino, California, Hounen manufactures solar photovoltaic panels worldwide, serving the clean energy market, according to a news release. In addition to solar panels, the company creates other electrical products.

“We are excited to announce our first manufacturing operations in the United States,” said Hounen’s CEO Jufang Lv in the release. “We are grateful for the help and support of the South Carolina team and look forward to providing more economic opportunities in the state.”

Hounen officials plan to lease a 200,720-square-foot plant at 145 Millennium Drive in Orangeburg. The Orangeburg County facility will allow the company to develop, manufacture and sell one gigawatt crystalline silicon PV panels in the U.S.

“Orangeburg County is a dynamic community on many fronts, from our talented quality workforce to being the prime location for diverse industries across the globe,” said Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. “Hounen’s investment and creation of 200 jobs demonstrate how our community and the state work together as a team and support one another for the betterment of all.”

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $500,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Orangeburg County to assist with the costs of building improvements.