In a momentous occasion, First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) marked the inauguration of its groundbreaking facility in Tamil Nadu, India – the nation’s inaugural fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr T R B Rajaa, the Minister for Industries, Promotions and Commerce of the Government of Tamil Nadu, along with the United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, and Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
The state-of-the-art facility, boasting an annual nameplate capacity of 3.3 gigawatts (GW), positions First Solar as the pioneer in fully integrated solar manufacturing in India. With direct employment of around 1,000 individuals, the facility specializes in producing First Solar’s Series 7 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, meticulously developed for the Indian market through the company’s research and development centers in the United States.
Dr T R B Rajaa expressed satisfaction in First Solar’s choice of Tamil Nadu for this significant investment, solidifying the state’s reputation as India’s manufacturing hub. He highlighted the facility’s commitment to sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and job creation, aligning with India’s goal of self-sufficiency in solar technology.
Ambassador Eric Garcetti applauded the facility’s role in advancing the global transition to cleaner, greener energy, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between the United States and India in achieving lasting climate action.
Representing an investment of approximately $700 million, the facility marks First Solar’s sixth operational factory and extends its manufacturing footprint globally to four countries: the United States, Malaysia, Vietnam, and now India. The investment includes $500 million in DFC financing, reflecting the strengthening partnership between the United States and India in driving climate-friendly initiatives.
Scott Nathan, CEO of DFC, highlighted the significance of leveraging American innovation and technology to diversify critical energy supply chains worldwide and foster economic growth in India, considering it DFC’s largest market and a like-minded partner with a dynamic private sector.
Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, expressed pride in achieving a crucial milestone in the company’s journey to long-term and sustainable growth. He commended the speed at which the facility was built and commissioned, crediting the supportive policies of India’s Federal and Tamil Nadu state governments.
The facility, situated in an area with high baseline water stress, claims to be the world’s first net-zero water withdrawal solar manufacturing facility. It minimizes its impact on local water resources by relying entirely on tertiary treated reverse osmosis water from the city’s sewage treatment plant, with zero wastewater discharge. Notably, the facility also houses India’s first solar PV recycling plant, pioneering high-value solar recycling with a sustainable approach.
The Series 7 module produced by the new facility is recognized as the industry’s most eco-efficient, with a carbon and water footprint approximately four times lower than crystalline silicon solar panels produced in China. First Solar’s sustainable manufacturing approach aims for 50% less energy consumption and only a third of the water required compared to equivalent polysilicon module production facilities.
The inauguration of this cutting-edge facility not only sets standards for the global manufacturing footprint but also establishes a milestone for the solar industry, marking a pivotal moment in the quest for sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions.
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