Dive Brief:
- TMEIC Corp. Americas is expanding its footprint in the Houston area with a new utility-scale solar inverter factory, according to an Aug. 20 press release.
- The 144,000-square-foot factory will be located in Brookshire, Texas. The facility will begin production in October and be situated near TMEIC’s medium-voltage alternating current drive plant in Katy, Texas.
- The solar manufacturer did not disclose an investment amount, but Waller County, Texas, documents show the company plans to spend approximately $10 million to install machinery and equipment. TMEIC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Dive Insight:
Once the Brookshire facility begins operations, it’ll have initial capacity to produce nine gigawatts yearly, according to the release. The plant will also have the potential to expand and create up to 300 jobs.
“This strategic expansion underscores TMEIC's dedication to the renewable energy industry, advancing clean energy technology, maintaining strong client relationships, and competing on a global basis while proudly manufacturing in the United States,” Manmeet Bhatia, president and CEO of TMEIC Corp. Americas, said in a statement.
Solar inverters are crucial in the solar energy system. The device converts direct current electricity generated by a solar panel into alternating current electricity used by the electrical grid, according to the Department of Energy.
The inverter market is expected to grow from $18.9 billion in 2023 to an estimated $39.6 billion by 2028, according to analysis firm Markets and Markets, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy projects, bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act
TMEIC Corp. Americas is a North American subsidiary of Japan-based conglomerate TMEIC Corp. The parent company is comprised of Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric Corp.’s industrial systems divisions, combined in 2003. In April, the manufacturer changed its name from Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corp. to TMEIC as part of a restructuring plan.
In addition to the new factory, TMEIC Corp. Americas will move its headquarters from Roanoke, Virginia, to its Houston office in the city’s “energy corridor” in March 2025. Houston’s Energy Corridor District hosts other prominent companies such as Shell, Citgo and ConocoPhillips.
The decision is part of the company’s growth strategy in the renewable energy technology industry and domestic manufacturing. The relocation will also further innovation as well as accommodate TMEIC’s expanding team and strengthen its customer service.
TMEIC will maintain its Roanoke office, which will focus on designing, developing and engineering advanced automation systems, large AC motors and variable frequency drive systems for various industrial sectors worldwide.
In April 2021, TMEIC consolidated its North America subsidiaries by merging its photovoltaic and energy business in Roanoke with its electronics business in Katy. The consolidation was the Japan-based company’s effort to improve communications between its sales and manufacturing teams to better serve their customers.
