Veteran-owned solar panel manufacturing in Forest, Virginia
By: Anna Eileen White | Photos by: Ashlee Glen
The Forest area of Bedford County is anticipating the renewal of a long-vacant facility. Solarix, a 100 percent American-owned solar panel manufacturing company, recently acquired the Perrowville Road facility, previously home to TEVA Pharmaceuticals. They will invest $63 million in development.
The facility is expected to bring 104 new jobs and a significant economic impact to the surrounding region. Solarix CEO Carlos Class Jr. hopes that Solarix’s operations in Bedford County will buttress the company’s ultimate goal of ensuring U.S. energy infrastructure is powered by American ingenuity.
Class Jr., born and raised in Puerto Rico, says his father—Carlos Class Sr.—and early life experiences set him on this career path. He was introduced to the concept of sustainability while still in elementary school.
“I still remember winning a science fair in the fourth grade with a project that envisioned a green home, complete with solar-absorbing windows, rainwater irrigation, and vertical farming,” he recalled. “This passion for sustainability stayed with me as I pursued [my] career.”

Solarix is set to be the first solar panel manufacturer in Virginia and the site is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2025. Currently the former Teva Pharmaceutical building, which is nearly half a million square feet, is undergoing significant electrical upgrades in preparation for the project and the company is making room for their advanced manufacturing equipment to move in.
However, his mission as CEO of Solarix includes more than just sustainability. A veteran, Class believes his service as a U.S. Army officer taught him the value of teamwork, diversity of thought, and strategic planning.
“I don’t view myself merely as a business owner but as part of a team committed to a mission,” he explained.
The Solarix mission emerged in the early 2000s with Carlos Class Sr., now the COO, and Napoli Gomez (CTO).
At the time, both were at the forefront of developing a groundbreaking solar panel technology called “Hetero-Junction Cell” (HJT) Technology, but found themselves constantly stymied by the red tape of foreign-owned companies, Class Jr. described.
After years of research, and consulting engineers across Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, the company is now preparing to cut through the red tape by producing modules “designed and assembled by American hands in the beautiful state of Virginia.”
The nearly half-a-million-square-foot facility will open in July 2025. Before completing the closing process in July 2024, there was significant collaboration on the state, regional, and county levels as Solarix considered the Forest area of Bedford County as a manufacturing site. Pam Armstrong, Director of Economic Development for Bedford County, said a team of regional experts initially met with the Solarix team at the facility in May 2023. Solarix placed an offer several months later.
“We were fortunate to find a facility that not only met but exceeded our needs,” Class Jr. explained.
Armstrong cited the facility’s East Coast presence and the Forest area’s significant and ongoing growth as compelling reasons to operate a business there.
“I’m excited that someone will be putting the building to use,” she said. “I want to see that building filled with manufacturing and people who are getting good salaries.”
Class Jr. described the decision to locate in Bedford County, “It wasn’t just the facility that attracted us—it was the community.” He highlighted the eager reception Solarix received from community members and institutions, and the pivotal roles that each played: Bank of the James; Jason Hetherington from CBRE, a global commercial real estate firm; Pam Armstrong; and Megan Lucas, CEO and Chief Economic Development Officer for Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.
Lucas underscored the innovation that defines the region, making it a desirable business location.
“We have everything from mountains to manufacturing,” she said. “We’re the center of excellence for higher education. This region has a lot to offer existing businesses and manufacturers as well as recruiting new manufacturers to the region.”
Lucas explained the regional impact of 104 new jobs and some of the positions that will become available: shift leaders, technician supervisors, account managers, quality control managers, sales representatives, maintenance techs, quality engineers, and warehouse and packaging associates. In addition, local independent contractors and engineers could be called upon to service the needs of the Solarix facility.
“The federal government considers this region one economy,” she said of Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell Counties. “Any time a company grows or expands in our region, and in this case, brings jobs and capital investment, it impacts the workforce throughout the region.”
Solarix will coordinate with the Veterans Workforce Commission and reach out to veterans in the community as part of their hiring strategy.
Class Jr. says the company is committed to providing in-house training and meaningful career opportunities for veterans.
“As a veteran myself, I understand the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life and the corporate world.” He explained, “We want Solarix to be a place where our veterans can thrive, find purpose, and build a future they can be proud of.”
The company will implement a three-phase strategic project moving forward. According to Class Jr., Phase I involves creating 104 high-paying, green energy jobs and producing 1GW/year of solar modules at 200 modules per hour. Phase II involves expanding their recycling line, installing solar panels on the facility’s roof to power operations, contributing carbon credits, and offering solar charging stations for the community. Phase III involves forming partnerships with local and national producers of raw materials. The company’s goal is to source all raw materials domestically within five years.
As Solarix’s launch date approaches, Armstrong, Lucas, and the community shared their support. Armstrong applauded their intent to employ the veteran population and expressed interest in seeing future partnerships between Solarix and local educational institutions. Lucas shared, “We wish them success and we’ll do whatever we can to facilitate their success as they grow in our region.”