SolAmerica Energy has agreed to procure 205 MW of Series 6 Plus and Series 7 thin-film solar modules from First Solar for use on a portfolio of community solar, commercial and industrial, municipal and electric co-op projects. The deal was booked prior to the release of First Solar’s Q3 2023 earnings, and the modules are scheduled to be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
“We are excited to announce the expansion of our commercial relationship with First Solar and in turn, our commitment to U.S.-developed and responsibly produced solar technology,” said Tully Blalock, CEO, SolAmerica Energy. “These modules will be deployed in projects across the country, including the Midwest, where the majority of the modules in the agreement are manufactured. SolAmerica is all-in on buying American solar and this agreement is the centerpiece of that commitment.”
First Solar typically books multi-gigawatt supply deals, so this supply of American-made solar panels to the distributed generation market opens the possibility for smaller projects to meet requirements for the domestic content ITC bonus. Right now, it appears that only First Solar’s thin-film solar panels meet the requirements to be considered American-made solar panels under the Treasury guidelines. Until solar cell manufacturing is started in the United States, no silicon solar panels meet the threshold.
“First Solar is proud that SolAmerica Energy has selected our technology,” stated Dana Kennard, Director of Business Development, First Solar. “By powering their near-term pipeline with American innovated and manufactured solar, SolAmerica Energy is directly supporting U.S. manufacturing and the domestic solar supply chain.”