News

16 December 2009

 

First Solar becomes first PV firm to produce 1GW in a single year

First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe), claims that it has become the first PV firm to produce more than 1 gigawatt of solar modules in a single year, with shipments for this year so far now exceeding that figure. It adds that 1GW of solar modules produces enough electricity to serve the needs of about 145,000 average American homes and saves about 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

As the world’s largest solar module manufacturer, First Solar has increased its manufacturing capacity from 75MW per year at the beginning of 2007 to more than 1GW currently.

“This proof that the solar industry can achieve the manufacturing scale necessary to fight climate change is especially timely in light of the Copenhagen conference that began last week,” says president Bruce Sohn. “Our efforts in scaling our technology are critical to creating a more sustainable energy infrastructure and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he claims.

First Solar has also continued to lower the cost of manufacturing solar modules, breaking the $1 per watt barrier earlier this year.

See related item:

First Solar raises full-year revenue guidance to high end of prior range

Search: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

Visit: www.firstsolar.com