First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) announced plans to expand its manufacturing operations and development facilities at its Perrysburg, Ohio facility.
This expansion will add a fourth production line and reconfigure the Company’s original pilot line to bring the manufacturing facility to the same four-line configuration as the Company’s five other plants located in Germany and Malaysia.
The expansion is expected to be completed in 2Q10 and will increase the annual capacity at the Perrysburg facility to approximately 192 megawatts (MW). In addition, the Company will construct a separate facility to support increased development activities associated with its advanced thin film solar module manufacturing technology.
The investment will add approximately 500,000 square feet of manufacturing, research and development, and office space, and will add at least 134 new solar jobs to the Company’s current workforce of 700 at its Perrysburg facility.
"Scaling our manufacturing capacity while taking advantage of existing infrastructure will incrementally lower the manufacturing cost per watt at a rate comparable to our lowest cost facility in Malaysia," said Bruce Sohn, president of First Solar.
First Solar is collaborating with state and local leaders on a comprehensive incentive package for these two projects. These incentives are central to First Solar’s expansion plans in Ohio and are subject to approval by state and local authorities.
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV solutions that significantly reduce solar electricity costs. By enabling clean, renewable electricity at competitive prices, First Solar provides an economic and environmentally responsible alternative to existing peaking fossil-fuel electric generation. First Solar PV power plants operate with no water, air emissions or waste stream. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing the industry’s first comprehensive collection and recycling program for solar modules. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
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