JinkoSolar U.S. says it is “engaging constructively with relevant agencies to understand the nature of the inquiry” after federal officials served a search warrant at its factory in West Jacksonville on May 9.
News4Jax reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted Homeland Security with the execution of the search warrant at the Jacksonville plant.
“JinkoSolar is committed to operating in accordance with the highest ethical standards and to the laws and regulations of the countries where it operates, including the United States,” the company said in May 10 news release.
“Jinko, through external counsel, is engaging constructively with relevant agencies to understand the nature of the inquiry, and the company’s business operations are running normally, including in Jacksonville.”
According to Reuters, a search warrant also was served at JinkoSolar’s California property May 9. JinkoSolar has a U.S. sales and operations center in San Francisco.
JinkoSolar is based in Shanghai, China.
The solar panel manufacturing plant at 4660 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway, Suite 200, at AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center.
In November, Reuters reported that solar energy equipment, including from JinkoSolar, was seized because of concerns that components were produced using forced labor in violation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
In March, Reuters reported that JinkoSolar’s equipment was released from detention.
JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd stock closed at $44.49 on May 11, down 8% since the warrant was served.
In April 2023, JinkoSolar was seeking city incentives to expand its Jacksonville operation.
Amid the investigation, the City Council postponed voting on legislation that would approve a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant of up to $2.3 million for the plant’s expansion.
A spokesperson for JinkoSolar said May 2 that the company moved forward with the expansion on its own. It now employs about 550 people at the site, with as many as 600 expected to work there by the end of next month.
This story has been updated with information from JinkoSolar about its expansion.