First Solar Produces One Gigawatt of Clean Solar Electricity

March 23, 2009
By the end of this year the company will have the capacity to produce more than 1GW per year -- the equivalent of an average-sized nuclear power plant

First Solar, Inc., recently announced that it has produced 1 gigawatt (GW) of its advanced solar modules since beginning commercial production in early 2002. First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV solutions.

It took the company more than six years to produce its first 500 megawatts (MW) and eight months to produce its second, creating today's 1GW total. By the end of this year, the company has announced it will have the capacity to produce more than 1GW per year -- the equivalent of an average-sized nuclear power plant.

"This volume allows us to rapidly reduce manufacturing costs, thereby furthering our mission of making solar power an affordable alternative to conventional energy sources," said Bruce Sohn, First Solar president.

First Solar began production in Perrysburg, Ohio, with a single manufacturing line and approximately 150 associates in 2002. By the end of 2009, the solar modules will come from 23 manufacturing lines on three continents and employing more than 4,000 associates. The company currently has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Germany and Malaysia and offices located throughout North America and Europe.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Gain a competitive edge with real-world lessons on private 5G networks

Nov. 16, 2023
The use of private networks in manufacturing applications is rapidly growing. In this paper, we present valuable insights and lessons learned from the field with the goal of enhancing...

Discrete and Process Manufacturing 2024 Trends and Outlook for North America

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers are reaping the benefits of automation and cloud-based solutions. Discover what is driving today's industry trends and how they can shape your growth priorities ...

How to Build Zero-Cost On-Site Solar and Storage Projects

Nov. 25, 2023
The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits, incentives, and financing that enable no-cost projects. In Enel’s eBook, discover the critical role that incentives play in your...

Lifecycle management for semiconductors. One end-to-end digital solution for today’s evolving ecosystem.

July 11, 2023
Discover the secure end-to-end traceability and digitalization solution for semiconductor lifecycle management. Gain the traceability, real-time visibility of business processes...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!