Juniper Green Inks Landmark 1GW Module Order With First Solar

Juniper Green Energy has inked a landmark agreement with First Solar, Inc. for the procurement and supply of 1 gigawatts (GW) of its advanced Series 7 FT1 cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules. The Gurgaon -based renewable energy company plans to deploy these modules in the coming financial year for its projects across Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Under this agreement, First Solar will supply the high-efficiency solar modules over a two-year period, marking a major milestone in the solar industry given that it is one of India’s the largest such agreements for domestic produced modules. The agreement allows Juniper Green Energy to reduce its dependence on China given that these modules are truly domestic with no reliance on China’s crystalline silicon supply chains. The Series 7 FT1 modules are ALMM enlisted, DCR eligible, BIS compliant, and have been created specifically for India’s ground-mount PV market to optimize balance of system (BOS) costs and reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for India’s PV projects.

The modules will be supplied from First Solar’s manufacturing plant in Chennai.  The high import duties and ALMM has supported First Solar’s efforts to find a market in price sensitive India, with the added advantage of a future where it is better prepared for any rise in Chinese raw material costs, thanks to its control over raw material supplies. First Solar remains the only foreign firm to be enlisted in the ALMM list. 

Commenting on the partnership, Naresh Mansukhani, CEO, Juniper Green Energy, said: “We’re excited to partner with First Solar, as this collaboration is expected to ensure a reliable supply of modules for a vital segment of our development pipeline.  Sourcing our modules from First Solar enhances our domestic content strategy while aligning with a trusted partner offering a highly competitive product.”

Commenting on the partnership, Georges Antoun, Chief Commercial Office of First Solar, said: “We are pleased that Juniper Green has selected American solar technology that is made in India, for India, to power its project portfolio. We value their trust in our ability to deliver a high-quality, high-performance product that helps diversify and secure their supply chains.”