News: Photovoltaics
28 July 2022
Intersect Power orders 2.4GW of First Solar’s modules, for delivery in 2024-2026
First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA has entered into an agreement to supply 2.4GWDC of its cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules to Intersect Power LLC. The modules are scheduled to be delivered from 2024 to 2026, making Intersect Power (which previously placed orders for a total of 4.1GWDC in 2019 and 2021) one of the world’s largest buyers and operators of First Solar’s module technology, with about 6.4GWDC expected to be deployed by 2027.
The modules will be deployed in Intersect Power’s solar, storage and green hydrogen projects coming online across the USA in 2025 through 2027. A large proportion of the modules are expected to be produced in First Solar’s Northwest Ohio manufacturing complex.
“Intersect Power’s ongoing relationship with First Solar has been critical in rapidly scaling our business to meet our vision and reliably delivering our customers value and performance to support their decarbonization goals,” says Intersect Power’s CEO Sheldon Kimber. “We look forward to bringing this large-scale portfolio to operation, and creating good-paying, American jobs in both construction and manufacturing with First Solar’s domestically produced modules.”
Designed and developed at its R&D centers in California and Ohio, First Solar’s thin-film PV modules are claimed to set industry benchmarks for quality, durability, reliability, design and environmental performance. The modules have a carbon footprint that is 2.5 times lower and a water footprint that is three times lower than the average crystalline silicon solar panel made with cells produced in China. First Solar also operates a high-value recycling program that recovers about 90% of CdTe semiconductor material (which can be used to manufacture new modules) as well as other materials (including aluminium, glass and laminates). The firm operates commercial recycling facilities in the USA, Germany, Malaysia and Vietnam. Additionally, it is the only company among the ten largest solar manufacturers globally to be a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to supporting the rights and well-being of workers and communities in the global supply chain.
“Intersect Power sets an important example by maximizing the impact of its investments on the US economy without compromising on competitiveness,” comments First Solar’s chief commercial officer Georges Antoun. “By powering its growth with American solar, Intersect Power is directly supporting US manufacturing and jobs and enabling a durable domestic supply chain,” he adds. “It is also demonstrating the ability of American solar technology not just to compete, but to help drive our country’s transition to a sustainable energy future.”
First Solar is investing $680m in expanding America’s domestic PV solar manufacturing capacity by 3.3GW annually, by building its third US manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, Ohio. The new facility is expected to be commissioned in first-half 2023 and, when fully operational, will scale the firm’s Northwest Ohio footprint to a total annual capacity of 6GW (making it the largest fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing complex outside of China). First Solar has invested over $2bn in its US manufacturing footprint and, when its third factory is fully operational, will directly employ over 2500 people in Ohio, while supporting an estimated 15,000 indirect jobs through its American supply chain.
In addition to its Ohio manufacturing facilities, First Solar also operates factories in Vietnam and Malaysia, and is building a new 3.3GW factory in India that is expected to be commissioned in second-half 2023. With First Solar’s expansion in the USA and India and optimization of its existing fleet, the firm expects that its nameplate manufacturing capacity will double to 16GW in 2024. First Solar is the only US-headquartered company among the world’s ten largest solar manufacturers.
First Solar wins 2.4GW order from Intersect Power
Intersect Power selects First Solar for 1.7GW multi-year PV module supply contract
