First Solar Inaugurates New Manufacturing Plant

Attribution: Christoffer Riemer. First Solar has inaugurated a new solar manufacturing plant, with vertical integration, in Tamil Nadu, India. This facility boasts an expected yearly capacity of 3.3 GW and will manufacture the company’s Series 7 PV modules, which were innovated in their U.S. R&D centers. This operational factory, the company’s sixth, represents an investment of around $700 million, including $500 million from previously disclosed DFC financing. Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, described the inauguration of this notable production facility and the launch of commercial consignments to Indian customers as a significant landmark on their path to sustainable and long-term growth. “The rapid pace at which we could construct and inaugurate this facility attests to the policies of both the Indian central and Tamil Nadu state governments.” The manufacturing plant, situated in a region with significant initial water strain, is structured to minimize its effect on local resources. It predominantly uses reverse osmosis water that’s tertiary-treated from the city’s sewage treatment facility, and produces no wastewater discharge.