Thin Film Module Maker First Solar In 5 GW Deal With Energix

US based solar module manufacturer First Solar, which stands out for using cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules at scale, has signed a framework agreement with Israeli solar developer Energix Renewables to supply 5GW of modules.

Energix has a 7 GW portfolio spread across  Israel, Poland and the US. The deal also involved First Solar recycling modules from existing Energix plants and processing them for it.

The new module deal covers supplies between the period 2026 to 2030 . First Solar was in the news for pre-selling all its production till 2026, and is in the middle of a massive expansion drive to build capacities across the US and elsewhere. It is among the only foreign beneficiaries in India’s PLI scheme for solar manufacturing too. The company plans a 3.3 GW facility in India. First Solar’s total manufacturing capacity by 2026-27 could be close to 15 GW, based on estimated timelines of it’s expansion plans currently.

“As we grow our pipeline, we want a trusted partner that will not compromise on quality, its commitments, or principles, and that partner is First Solar,” said Asa (Asi) Levinger, chief executive officer, Energix. “This deal, our largest ever, strongly reflects the long-term strategic partnership we share with First Solar. It also constitutes a significant milestone for Energix’s long-term growth, as we rapidly expand our global pipeline, with an emphasis on the United States. With shared goals and a united vision for a sustainable energy future, this deal perfectly suits our needs, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements and reinforcing our commitment to our stakeholders.”

“This deal demonstrates once again the substantial place Energix takes as one of our biggest client worldwide, and we feel honorable to take active part in Energix’s significant growth, especially in the United States. We are pleased that Energix will power its asset portfolio with First Solar’s module technology,” said Georges Antoun, chief commercial officer, First Solar. “This is another example of a large, sophisticated player choosing to de-risk its development portfolio by working with us. They recognize that they do not simply get a high-quality, high-performance, responsibly-produced PV module, but a trusted partner and long-term pricing and supply certainty, which are rarities in the solar industry.”

Energix has been a long term supporter of First Solar’s CdTe thin-film modules, having placed cumulative orders for over 3.5 GW of modules since 2017.

Energix has six utility-scale solar projects in Virginia and Pennsylvania with a combined capacity of 416MW coming up by 2024.

Earlier in June this year First Solar had announced the limited production run of the world’s first bifacial solar panel utilizing an advanced thin film semiconductor.