First Solar has won a contract from Origis Energy, a leading solar and energy storage developer in the U.S., for supplying 750 megawatts (MW) DC of thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules.
First Solar’s agile contracting approach assists Origis to benefit from any advances in technology through 2024, when the Cadmium Telluride (CadTel) thin film modules will be delivered to its projects across the United States.
First Solar designs and develops thin film PV modules at its research and development (R&D) centers in California and Ohio.
“This 750 MW solar agreement builds on a long-term alliance between the First Solar and Origis teams,” said Samir Verstyn, chief investment officer and operations officer, Origis Energy. We applaud First Solar’s build out of its domestic PV solar manufacturing capacity.”
First Solar is investing $680 million in expanding America’s domestic PV solar manufacturing capacity by 3.3 GW annually, by building its third US manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, Ohio. The new facility is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2023.
First Solar has invested over $2 billion in its US manufacturing footprint and, when its third factory is fully operational, will directly employ approximately 2,500 people in Ohio, while supporting an estimated 7,000 indirect jobs through its American supply chain.
“At First Solar, we value long-term relationships with partners like Origis because they are based on trust and a respect for mutually-held values and principles,” said Georges Antoun, chief commercial officer, First Solar.
In addition to its Ohio manufacturing facilities, First Solar operates factories in Vietnam and Malaysia, and is building a new 3.3 GW factory in India that is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2023.