Key Highlights
- SpaceX has submitted permit applications for a massive 10-gigawatt solar cell manufacturing facility in Bastrop, Texas.
- The proposed two-story factory would generate five gigawatts of solar production capacity on each level.
- This facility connects to Elon Musk’s ambitious vision of powering artificial intelligence data centers, including those planned for space.
- The aerospace company currently has more than 1,000 employees at its Bastrop location, where it manufactures Starlink components.
- SpaceX has submitted an S-1 registration statement for a public offering, aiming for a Nasdaq listing by mid-June 2026 with ticker symbol SPCX and an estimated valuation surpassing $1 trillion.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is moving forward with plans to construct what could become one of America’s largest solar cell production facilities. Documents filed with Bastrop County authorities in Texas and reviewed by Bloomberg News reveal the company’s intention to establish a 10-gigawatt solar manufacturing complex in the Austin metropolitan area.
The proposed facility would be situated in Bastrop, the same location where SpaceX operates a substantial Starlink manufacturing center with a workforce exceeding 1,000 employees. If approved, the new solar plant would essentially double the company’s current operational presence in the region.
According to the permit documentation, the manufacturing facility is planned as a two-story structure. Each level would have the capacity to produce five gigawatts of solar cells, bringing the total output to 10 gigawatts.
Purpose Behind the Solar Manufacturing Initiative
The solar cells manufactured at this facility would supply power for the next wave of Starlink satellites and advance Elon Musk’s ambitious concept of establishing AI data centers in orbit. These space-based computing facilities would leverage continuous solar energy, eliminating the power limitations that currently hamper terrestrial AI infrastructure.
Musk outlined this strategic direction during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in January. He positioned solar energy as the solution to the energy supply challenges that are currently restricting AI advancement.
During that forum, he set forth an ambitious target for SpaceX and Tesla combined: to establish 100 gigawatts annually of solar manufacturing capability within the United States over the next three-year period. Achieving this production volume would dramatically surpass current domestic solar manufacturing output.
The Austin Business Journal previously reported indications of significant construction activity at this location, with projections suggesting the facility could span more than one million square feet.
Public Offering Plans and Company Valuation
SpaceX submitted its S-1 registration statement this week, outlining its intentions for a public stock offering on the Nasdaq exchange with the ticker symbol SPCX. The company has set a target timeframe of mid-June 2026 for its market debut.
Financial analysts project the company’s market capitalization could surpass $1 trillion, potentially positioning it among the largest initial public offerings in the history of equity markets.
The IPO registration documents also outlined intentions to expand the Bastrop facility, develop new Starlink product lines, and increase solar cell production capacity in conjunction with the new manufacturing plant.
Construction activities at the Bastrop location have already commenced.
Proceeds from the public stock offering are anticipated to finance Starship rocket development, Starlink network expansion, and the construction of the company’s space-based artificial intelligence computing infrastructure.
SpaceX has not issued official public statements regarding the permit submissions or provided confirmation about the complete project specifications beyond what is disclosed in the filing documents and the S-1 registration statement.
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