Norwegian silicon ingot and wafer manufacturer NorSun has stated it wants to start a 5-GW ingot and wafer production facility in the United States, and the company can now count on a confirmed wafer buyer: Silfab Solar.

The two companies today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding for Silfab to purchase wafers from NorSun’s American and European factories that Silfab will turn into cells and panels at its announced 1-GW facility in South Carolina.

With the support of credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, both Silfab and NorSun show their commitment to building the North American solar value chain to supply the U.S. market with local, ethically sourced solar panels.

“NorSun is a leader in wafer production not sourced from China and provides Silfab a vital component that further strengthens the independence of our U.S. supply chain and leadership position for innovation and quality solar products,” says Paolo Maccario, CEO of Silfab. “This collaboration with NorSun to open wafer production in the United States adds strategic value to Silfab’s unwavering commitment to supply North America with domestically produced, high-performing solar panels.”

Silfab currently operates solar panel factories in Ontario and Washington, and NorSun has a 1-GW wafer factory in Norway.

“We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with Silfab and share the long-term ambition to build a competitive Western PV value chain,” said Erik Løkke-Øwre, CEO of NorSun. “The agreement with potential significant volumes fits well with our strategy to enter the U.S. market and to expand the NorSun production capacity.”