Vitro Architectural Glass is making a groundbreaking move to expand its Wichita Falls, Texas, facility, enabling the production of up to 25 million patterned solar glass lites annually. This ambitious project is backed by a $67.6 million investment tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a significant step toward advancing domestic solar glass manufacturing.
The expansion includes the construction of a cutting-edge patterned solar glass facility, featuring a new furnace, roll-forming chamber, and advanced cooling and production lines.
“This marks a pivotal moment for Vitro’s future,” said Adrian Sada, CEO of Vitro. “We’ve successfully delivered on several Department of Energy (DOE) and General Services Administration (GSA) initiatives, and now we’re poised to fulfill this new opportunity at our Wichita Falls site. With established infrastructure, a robust supply chain, and decades of expertise in glass manufacturing, this facility is primed to support both architectural glass production and our new patterned solar glass operations. We’re proud to be the only company of our caliber to receive this type of investment tax credit.”
The project underscores Vitro’s commitment to innovation and meeting the growing demand for domestically produced solar glass. By investing in Wichita Falls, the company is not only setting a new industry standard but also fueling local economic growth. The expansion is expected to create approximately 290 full-time jobs while fostering apprenticeship opportunities in collaboration with local and state organizations, benefiting students from diverse backgrounds.
Vitro is also in advanced discussions with U.S.-based solar photovoltaic module manufacturers to supply patterned solar glass. The company is confident that binding agreements will soon be finalized, leveraging Vitro’s more than 100 years of expertise in glass manufacturing.
“Clients and partners are excited about supporting American-made patterned solar glass,” said Ricardo Maiz, President of Vitro Architectural Glass. “Domestic production simplifies supply chains, ensures reliability, and helps U.S. installers meet the Domestic Content Bonus requirements under the Investment Tax Credit (ITC).”
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Congress allocated $10 billion to the DOE for clean energy initiatives. Of this, $4 billion was released in March 2024, with an additional $6 billion announced in January 2025. Solar glass qualifies under IRC Section 48C(e) as a critical component for advanced energy projects, further emphasizing its importance in the renewable energy landscape.
“We’re grateful for the DOE’s support and recognition of the supply-demand gap in the domestic solar glass market,” said Paul Bush, Vice President of Technical Services, Sustainability, and Government Affairs at Vitro Architectural Glass. “Their backing was instrumental in securing the IRS investment tax credit, enabling us to expand capacity at Wichita Falls and meet the growing need for patterned solar glass.”
For additional details, visit the full DOE announcement. Learn more about Vitro Architectural Glass at www.vitroglazings.com or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457).
