Canadian Premium Sand has revealed that it plans to build a solar glass factory in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada.

The company said Selkirk was identified as the preferred location after an extensive evaluation of possible locations in Canada and the United States. The small city reportedly provides Canadian Premium Sand's high-grade silica sand quarry near Seymourville, with ample supply of natural gas and renewable hydropower.

The company did not provide further details on the size of the planned investment or the total capacity of the plant. Once completed, the plant will be the first solar glass plant in North America.

Canadian Premium Sand said: “All solar panels manufactured in North America using patterned solar glass use glass imported from China and other Asia-Pacific countries. Setting up a solar glass manufacturing facility in Selkirk will significantly increase CPS for solar panels Sustainability and supply chain security for manufacturing customers.”

The company first revealed plans to focus on solar glass production in October.

"Management discussions with domestic solar panel manufacturers have shown that we need a reliable local supply of high-quality solar glass to accommodate current production and future growth plans," the company said at the time, noting that its silica sand deposits are part of the North American market. The first integrated manufacturer of patterned solar glass presents an opportunity.