First Solar Signs Global Supply Agreement With Akuo Energy For 500 MW

US-based solar module manufacturer, First Solar has announced a new renewable energy Global Supply Agreement with Akuo Energy, a France-based independent global renewable energy player. Through this agreement, First Solar will supply 500 MW of thin film PV solar module to Akuo Energy.

As per the Agreement, First Solar will provide 200 MW for a utility-scale project in the US designed by Akuo. Delivery is expected to take place in the first half of 2024. The remaining modules of 500 MW should arrive in 2025 and 2026, with the possibility of power projects in Europe or other places where Akuo has operations.

First Solar’s thin-film PV modules are ethically manufactured and are designed and developed at its research and development (R&D) centers in California and Ohio.

With the help of First Solar’s innovative high-value recycling program, other components like aluminum, glass, and laminates are recovered to a degree of roughly 90%. This includes the semiconductor element cadmium telluride, which can be used to make new modules.

To boost domestic PV solar manufacturing capacity in America by 3.3 GW annually, First Solar has also announced the opening of its third US production facility in Lake Township, Ohio.

As per First Solar, the new facility will be fully operational in the first half of 2023. The company claims that it will increase the company’s Northwest Ohio footprint to a total annual capacity of 6 GW, making it the largest fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing complex outside of China.

First Solar added that the new manufacturing unit will directly employ over 2,500 people in Ohio and support an estimated 15,000 indirect jobs through its American supplier chain. As per First Solar, they have committed over $2 billion to expand their US manufacturing base.

First Solar also spoke about its new manufacturing facility in India in addition to that. The second half of 2023 or by 2024, they claimed, will see the opening of one more manufacturing facility with a 3.3 GW capacity.