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First Solar

Construction Set To Begin On The World’s Largest Solar Power Project In Dubai

written by saurabh

Construction on the largest solar power park at a single plot will begin later this month, the project developer and owner have announced.

Masdar Group and Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) have announced plans to start construction of 800 megawatt project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. The project will form phase III of the solar power park which is set to have an eventual capacity of 5 gigawatts.

First Solar has already commissioned the first phase of 13 megawatts while ACWA Power is currently working on phase two of 200 megawatts. The fourth phase of the project shall have 1 gigawatts capacity.

A Masdar Group–led consortium was confirmed as the winner of the 800 MW solar power tender that was floated by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) last year. The consortium includes Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and Gransolar Group.

The phase III tender set a record for lowest-ever solar PV tariff globally at that time. The Masdar-led consortium beat the phase II winning bid of 5.84¢/kWh with a bid of 2.99¢/kWh. Masdar Group and DEWA signed the power purchase agreement for the project in November 2016.

January 22, 2017 0 comment

First Solar Commissions 130 MW Capacity In India

written by saurabh

US-based solar module manufacturer First Solar has announced commissioning of two solar projects totalling 130 MW in the southern states of India through its Indian subsidiary, First Solar Power India Pvt. Ltd.

The company declared commercial operations of 80 MW solar PV project in the state of Andhra Pradesh and 50 MW solar PV project in the state of Telangana. With these projects the cumulative operational capacity owned by First Solar in India has increased to 150 MW.

The projects comprises of 1.4 million First Solar modules and are together expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 227,500 local households annually and would offset 204,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year.

Power generated from these projects will be purchased by the local utilities Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company under 25 year long-term power purchase agreements.

“After achieving a recent milestone of 1 GW of PV solar capacity footprint in India, we are delighted to add 130 MW of utility-scale solar power to the grid, growing our portfolio of operational solar assets to a cumulative capacity of 150 MW,” commented First Solar’s Country Head for India Sujoy Ghosh.

First Solar has been active in the India market since before the inception of the National Solar Mission. Earlier this year, the company had announced that its cumulative solar power module shipment to India has crossed 1 GW and it has become the first thin-film solar panel manufacturer to achieve this feat.

August 24, 2016 0 comment

First Solar Launches ‘Game-changing’ Series 5 Module

written by saurabh

Leading thin-film solar module manufacturing company First Solar recently announced the launch of a major new product that it expects to significantly reduce project cost.

At Intersolar, First Solar showcased the Series 5 thin-film solar module. The module will be launched in the market with a rated capacity of 365 Wp which will be increased in subsequent upgrades.

The module has an efficiency of 16.4% and the company believes the larger size will help reduce the number of mounting structures needs which will, in turn, cut down on the capital cost to set up the project.

Additionally, the modules will be pre-wired which will result in reduced installation time. Each module can be installed in two and a half minutes, claimed Karim Asali, First Solar’s technical director for Europe.

Manufacturing the modules also takes significantly lesser time when compared to mono-crystalline counterparts. A Series 5 module is manufactured in three and half hours compared to three and half days for crystalline modules.

First Solar plans to launch the Series 5 module to the global market by the middle of next year. The module could prove beneficial to project developers in the emerging solar power markets, like the Middle East and India, where tariffs have been driven to record lows due to increasing competition.

July 4, 2016 0 comment

India Solar Tariffs Too Low For Justifiable Investment, Says First Solar

written by saurabh

Solar power tariff bids in India have fallen to a level too low to make justifiable equity investments, leading solar modules manufacturing company First Solar has said.

Talking to an Indian newspaper, First Solar India country head Sujoy Ghosh said that the competition in solar power auctions has increased significantly which has made the company rethink about its investment strategy.

The current lowest tariff bid for solar PV projects in India is Rs 4.34/kWh (US¢6.5/kWh) set earlier this year. More recent state solar power auctions have seen bids stabilising at around Rs 4.70/kWh (US¢7.0/kWh). According to First Solar, tariffs below Rs 5.00/kWh (US¢7.5/kWh) are not attract for it to make equity investments and set up its own projects.

The company has been participating in the recent state solar power auctions but has not been to secure any projects. The company did win some projects in 2014 in the southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. All these projects have long-term power purchase agreements with state utilities at tariffs higher than Rs 5.00/kWh (US¢7.5/kWh).

First Solar has 260 MW solar power projects in India. Of this, 115 MW capacity is already operational while the balance is expected to be commissioned by next year. As the competition intensifies in the utility-scale market, First Solar is looking to develop projects for industrial and commercial users who look to reduce dependent on grid-supplied electricity.

In 2015, First Solar had announced plans to set up 5 GW solar power capacity in India over a period of 5-7 years. Now, this goal seems threatened due to the steep fall in tariffs and increasing competition.

June 13, 2016 0 comment

350 MW Abu Dhabi Solar Project Draws Interest From Across The World

written by saurabh

Companies from US, Europe, India, China and Japan have expressed interest in bidding, and eventually developing, 350 MW solar power projects in Abu Dhabi.

A total of 34 companies or consortiums have qualified as bidders for the 350 MW solar PV project planned by the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA). Eight of these entities have qualified as main developers of the projects while others, if selected, will act as ‘managing members’ and technical advisors.

Entities qualified as main developers are mostly from the developed markets like the US and Europe. These include First Solar, EDF, Enel, Engie, RWE/Belectric, Solar Reserve and Total/Sunpower. A consortium led by South Korean utility KEPCO has also qualified for the next stage of bidding.

Geographical diversity increases substantially as one looks into the category of technical advisors (category B) and managing members (category C). Several Indian and Chinese companies have qualified as technical advisors for the next round of biddings. These include Jinko Solar, China State Construction Engineering Corp., Adani Enterprises, Acme Solar, Hindustan Clean Energy, and ReNew Power Ventures.

Qualified entities in the category of possible managing members include AWCA Power, Marubeni, Mitsui, and Masdar.

Selected entities in categories B and C are now expected to enter talks with entities to be selected as main developers. The procedure is expected to be the same as that for the 200 MW solar power auction in Dubai solar power park. ACWA Power partnered with First Solar and TSK to bid the lowest-ever solar PV tariff of US¢5.84/kWh.

Abu Dhabi already hosts one of the largest solar concentrated power projects in Asia – Shams 1.

April 28, 2016 0 comment

First Solar Signs 20 Year PPA for 52MW Jordan Project

written by Walter Wang

First Solar and Shams Ma’an Power Generation announced yesterday that they have signed a 20 year power purchase agreement with National Electric Power Company for a 52.5 MW solar power plant in Jordan.

The power plant, when completed will represent one percent of the country’s overall generation capacity, supplying power to 35,000 homes. It is estimated that the project will reduce the country’s carbon footprint by 90,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of taking 20,000 cars off the road.

“This agreement marks a significant step towards fulfilling Jordan’s energy security goals. By efficiently harnessing the country’s most abundant energy resource, Shams Ma’an will help power sustainable growth and development with clean, affordable and reliable solar electricity,” said Ahmed S. Nada, Vice President of Business Development for First Solar in the Middle East.

In addition to supplying the company’s thin film photovoltaic modules, First Solar will also provide EPC and O&M services to the project. The project is part of the Ma’an Development Area in southern Jordan, which when completed, will constitute four complementary clusters including a residential community and industrial park.

March 19, 2014 0 comment

Two New Projects Boost Australia’s Solar Power Mix

written by Walter Wang

Australia is set to get more solar power into the grid with two new large scale PV farms. AGL Energy Limited recently announced that two large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects have managed to secure funding thanks to agreements with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the New South Wales (NSW) Government. The projects are expected to

August 12, 2013 0 comment

U.S. Solar Panel maker to Build Solar Farms in Energy-Hungry India

written by Yale Environment 360

First Solar Inc., the U.S.-based solar panel manufacturer, plans to expand its role in the global energy industry by developing solar power farms in India, where an emerging industrial sector is looking to shore up energy security in the aftermath of record blackouts.

The company aims to secure 20 percent of India’s

August 24, 2012 1 comment

First Solar and Intermolecular Enter Efficiency Research Agreement

written by Walter Wang

First Solar and Intermolecular yesterday announced a collaboration and licensing agreement aimed at accelerating the efficiency roadmap for First Solar’s cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) technology. First Solar is the world’s largest thin film PV solar module manufacturer and the leader in thin film PV utility-scale solar power plants.

June 13, 2012 0 comment

U.S.-Based First Solar to Close German Factory, Lay Off 2,000

written by Yale Environment 360

First Solar, Inc., the U.S.’s biggest solar manufacturer, will lay off 2,000 workers and close its German factory, citing what the company called fundamental changes to the industry and “deteriorating market conditions” in Europe.

The Arizona-based company, which had been the

April 20, 2012 0 comment

Which Future for Lorraine, and France?

written by Edouard Stenger

While I was visiting my family in the Region of Lorraine – North Eastern France – I came across two distinct news illustrating the possible future of the region, and in a way, of the whole country.

The first one is about dirty polluting fossil energy as to Elixir Petroleum, an Australian company, there would be massive quantities of shale oil and gas in Lorraine’s soil. To the volumetric estimates, there would be no less than 164.7 billion barrels of shale oil and 649.7 trillion cubic feet of shale gas. Large amounts of more traditional oil and gas has been found as well.

This announcement took place as France has been the first country to ban fracking. As the local newspapers note, this announcement is little credible and is merely done to keep the exploration permits as the law is changing.

The enormous quantities found reminded me that US geologist recently estimated there is FIVE times less shale oil and gas in the American soil as it was previously stated by companies. I have no doubt that the situation in Lorraine will be the same if not worse.

I agree that local populations could benefit from jobs as the worst economic crises of our time is striking. But the countryside and its various cultures and fruits is a wonder we have to keep. Whoever ate mirabelles knows what I am referring to.

Now let’s have a look at something that is already taking place, and which holds a better future: cleantech!

A former military air base near Toul (in the Département of Moselle) will be cleaned up and 400 hectares of solar panels will be installed. The total capacity will be of 143 MW, enough for 62,000 people.

This project is a direct consequence of the new legal background enacted by the French government earlier this summer. See my post for more : France Issues New Regulations for Large Solar PV Installations

A few green jobs will also be created: 150 for the construction and an additional 15 to maintain the plant.

The plant will bring 1.3 million euros per year in revenue to the Région, the Département and the three cities where the air force base is located.

EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN), a subsidiary of the national utilities Electricité De France may work with First Solar, which could provide the solar panels for the plant.

The company plans to invest no less than 434 million euros in the next ten years for this plant alone.

Trees will be planted in the remaining parts of the old air base and a little museum dedicated to renewable energies will be created as local authorities are willing to transform this as a touristic attraction.

France is moving forward on cleantech. Of course, there has been setbacks, but we can globally be satisfied. Let us hope it will continue doing so whoever will be elected as President in the Presidential elections next year.

Photo: Julien Hillairet, Flickr

October 10, 2011 0 comment

The Phoenix Recipe for Solar Manufacturing Job Creation

written by Walter Wang

In this economic climate, every state wants new jobs. And harnessing the sun for electricity creates more of those coveted jobs per megawatt-hour than any other energy resource. These are high quality jobs across a broad range of education requirements, salary levels and fields. The majority (about 75%)

July 1, 2011 2 comments

First Solar Strikes a Global Deal

written by Walter Wang

First Solar announced yesterday that it has entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement with China Power International New Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Power New Energy Development Company Limited.

Both companies will collaborate on solar energy

May 11, 2011 1 comment

GE to Participate in Ontario’s Solar Economy

written by

Plutonic Power Corporation (Plutonic) and GE Energy Financial Services (GE) recently announced that they will acquire 50 MW worth of solar generation capacity in Ontario from First Solar, Inc. (First Solar). The projects, located in the town of Amherstburg and the communities of Walpole and Belmont, will generate enough photovoltaic (PV) power to meet the needs

January 13, 2011 0 comment

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