Canadian Solar Selected For $712M Project To Produce Batteries Supporting Clean Energy Sources

The global renewable energy company, Canadian Solar (CSIQ) will be a part of a $712M project in Shelbyville, Kentucky to produce industrial scale batteries that will be store and distribute energy providing a significant component to ensure for more reliable and secure electric grids.

The Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing plant, part of Canadian Solar Inc., will create 1,572 jobs at full capacity, further cementing Kentucky’s role as a leader in emerging battery technologies. The state has attracted nearly $12 billion in battery-related investments, with projects expected to generate over 10,280 full-time jobs. Governor Andy Beshear highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “With this investment, we’re putting our stamp on working to become the battery capital of the United States.”

This project, the largest economic development initiative in Shelby County’s history, is on target for production starting in late 2025 and intends to supply utility companies and other energy storage needs with large scale batteries that can be paired with solar, wind, or other energy sources, providing a consistent power supply even when renewable sources are not actively generating electricity.

Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, emphasized the importance of the project, calling energy storage “a crucial part of the new and evolving electricity grid.” He noted that battery cells are the core of utility-scale energy storage systems and praised Kentucky’s role in bolstering national energy security.