First Solar launches 3.3 GW Solar Manufacturing Facility in India
First Solar, Inc. has officially opened its new facility in Tamil Nadu, India, representing the nation's inaugural fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant. The ceremony, attended by Chief Guest Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Promotions, and Commerce of the Government of Tamil Nadu, also featured the presence of Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, and Scott Nathan, CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The event marks a significant milestone in India's solar industry, with First Solar's vertically integrated plant playing a key role in advancing solar manufacturing capabilities in the country.
The plant, covering six acres and boasting an annual capacity of 3.3 gigawatts (GW), employs approximately 1,000 individuals. It manufactures First Solar’s Series 7 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, initially developed in the United States and tailored for the Indian market. The facility entails an investment of around $700 million, with $500 million sourced from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The Series 7 module produced at the plant is acknowledged for its eco-efficiency, featuring a notably reduced carbon and water footprint compared to crystalline silicon solar panels manufactured in China. First Solar's sustainable manufacturing approach consumes 50% less energy and only a third of the water compared to an equivalent polysilicon module production facility.
Ambassador Eric Garcetti emphasized that the inauguration of the First Solar production facility marks a significant stride in advancing the global shift towards cleaner and sustainable energy. He hailed it as a stellar example of successful collaboration between the United States and India for enduring climate action. Scott Nathan, CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), underscored the robust partnership with India, emphasizing the growing cooperation between the two nations to propel economic growth. Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, expressed pride in the team members who played a crucial role in the swift construction and commissioning of the facility. Positioned in an area with high baseline water stress, the facility is recognized as the world’s first net-zero water withdrawal solar manufacturing plant, exclusively relying on treated reverse osmosis water sourced from the city's sewage treatment plant.