T1 Energy takes minority stake in Talon PV to boost U.S.-based TOPCon cell production

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="T1 Energy factory" class="wp-image-56731" height="467" src="https://solarbuildermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/T1-Energy-image-001-700x467.jpg" width="700" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo via T1 Energy</figcaption></figure></div>

<p>Talon PV LLC — a solar cell manufacturer in development — has sold a minority stake to <a href="https://t1energy.com/">T1 Energy Inc</a>., an emerging U.S.-based module maker now building out a multi-gigawatt production footprint. T1, which recently announced its 5 GW G1_Dallas manufacturing facility and has been signing supply-chain partnerships (including as <a href="https://solarbuildermag.com/news/tracking-trackers-product-upgrades-and-strategic-moves-from-top-u-s-solar-manufacturers/">Nextracker’s first steel frame integrator</a>), is using the deal to deepen its position in the domestic cell-to-module stack.</p>

<p>Under the agreement, T1 executed a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) to secure a minority ownership interest in Talon PV. Eagle Group, a Houston-based venture capital firm, had already provided 100% of Talon’s pre-equity funding. Talon says it is finalizing the remainder of its capital stack and is in discussions with additional partners.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-4-8-gw-of-u-s-topcon-cells-by-2027">4.8 GW of U.S. TOPCon cells by 2027</h3>

<p>The Talon PV project will establish a 4.8 GW high-efficiency n-type TOPCon cell factory in Baytown, Texas — one of the largest announced TOPCon cell facilities in the United States. The project has secured $97.1 million in state and local incentives and is targeting commercial availability in Q1 2027.</p>

<p>Talon positions the plant as new domestic capacity designed to meet non-FEOC compliance, strengthen U.S. energy security, and supply downstream U.S. module manufacturers — including players like T1.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-build-partners-and-r-amp-d-stack-in-place">Build partners and R&amp;D stack in place</h3>

<p>Talon PV has lined up partners ahead of construction:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Fraunhofer ISE — R&amp;D and technology collaboration</li>

<li>ARCO Murray — EPC/design-build of the facility</li>

<li>Marathon Capital — exclusive financial advisor</li>
</ul>

<p>“This milestone with T1 Energy marks a pivotal step in TALON PV’s journey to scale U.S. solar-cell manufacturing,” said Adam Tesanovich, co-founder and CEO of TALON PV.</p>

<p>Marathon Capital called the move another marker of rapid U.S. manufacturing expansion “post-Big Beautiful Bill,” citing the need for aligned equity partners to accelerate gigawatt-scale capacity.</p>
<p>-- Solar Builder magazine</p>