1 September 2011

First Solar modules ‘Made in EU’ qualify for Italian feed-in tariff premium

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules made by First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA in its factory in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany have satisfied the requirements for a 10% feed-in tariff premium in Italy after passing a factory inspection.

This follows an official Factory Inspection certification by VDE, the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, on the basis of guidelines established by the Italian government as part of its ‘Conto Energia 4’ (CE4) feed-in tariff program. CE4 aims to encourage the use of components ‘made in Europe’, rewarding projects that contain at least 60% local content with a 10% premium over normal feed-in tariff (FiT) rates.

“This certification provides an added value to our customers in Italy by increasing the attractiveness of investments in commercial PV systems,” says Stephan Hansen, VP of sales for First Solar in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “It also validates our commitment to manufacturing in Europe, which remains one of our most important markets globally.”

First Solar has operated a thin-film solar module manufacturing plant in Frankfurt (Oder) since 2007. The firm is currently doubling annual manufacturing capacity at the plant to about 500MW. First Solar employs more than 1200 people in Frankfurt (Oder) and more than 1400 in the European Union overall, and was recently recognized as a Great Place to Work by Germany’s Great Place to Work Institute for the second year in a row.

In addition, most of the raw materials that First Solar uses for its German production are sourced within the European Union.

First Solar’s modules also recently received the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC 61701 certification, demonstrating their resistance to corrosive salt mist in coastal environments. All modules are covered by a 25-year performance warranty, and the firm offers a pre-funded module collection and recycling program.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

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