News: Photovoltaics
26 March 2020
First Solar manufacturing operations continuing at Ohio, Malaysia and Vietnam facilities
In light of recent developments related to the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) pandemic, First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA – which makes thin-film photovoltaic modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) as well as providing engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) services – has provided an update regarding its manufacturing operations in Wood County in Ohio, Kulim in Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
On 22 March, the State of Ohio, where First Solar’s Perrysburg and Lake Township manufacturing plants are located, issued a ‘Stay at Home’ order, exempting, among other things, essential businesses and operations from its scope. At this time, it is First Solar’s understanding that its manufacturing facilities in these locations are permitted to operate under the order.
Similarly, the government of Malaysia, where the Kulim manufacturing plants are located, has implemented a wide-ranging suspension of public activities. Since the implementation of this suspension and at this time, First Solar’s understanding is that these measures do not impact the continuity of its manufacturing operations in the country.
First Solar’s manufacturing operations at its Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam facilities are not impacted by government-mandated restrictions on movement at this time. The firm is continuing to monitor the situation at all of its facility locations.
First Solar says that it has already implemented a wide range of measures intended to inhibit the spread of the COVID-19 virus at its global manufacturing, administrative and other sites and facilities, including those in the USA, Malaysia and Vietnam.
