TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2008--First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced the completion of its
first 10 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant for
Sempra Generation near Boulder City, Nevada. This project is the largest
thin film solar power plant in North America. First Solar served as the
engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for this PV
power plant and will provide monitoring and maintenance services for the
plant over its lifetime. This project was constructed in less than six
months.
The project was developed by Sempra Generation, which will own and
operate the PV power plant. First Solar constructed the 10 MW PV power
plant adjacent to Sempra's existing 480 MW El Dorado Energy power plant
about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas. The solar modules deployed in
this ground-mount project were produced at First Solar's manufacturing
facility in Perrysburg, Ohio.
First Solar is the world's leading supplier of thin film PV modules,
stemming largely from the superior product design and unique
semiconductor technology that makes First Solar modules the most
cost-effective on the market. Underlying First Solar's success is a
commitment to product life cycle management, as illustrated by the solar
industry's first comprehensive module collection and recycling program.
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.
"The build out of this 10MW solar power plant from start to finish in
less than six months marks the successful completion of our first
utility scale EPC project," said John Carrington, First Solar executive
vice president marketing and business development. "We applaud Sempra's
commitment to expand their renewable energy portfolio--investing in clean
energy infrastructure while creating green jobs and addressing climate
change and energy independence."
"This is a significant step in the development and deployment of
renewable solar power," said Michael W. Allman, president and chief
executive officer of Sempra Generation. "It reflects the commitment by
Sempra Generation and western U.S. utilities to meet the challenges
posed by climate change with reliable, renewable energy. The size and
scope of this new solar generation facility clearly demonstrates that we
can build projects on a scale that helps utilities meet their renewable
energy goals."
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) 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. For more information about First Solar, please
visit www.firstsolar.com,
or www.firstsolar.com/media
to download photos.
For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not
constitute guarantees of future performance. Those statements involve a
number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including risks associated with the company's business involving the
company's products, their development and distribution, economic and
competitive factors and the company's key strategic relationships and
other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. First Solar assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking information contained in this press release or with
respect to the announcements described herein.
CONTACT: First Solar, Inc.
Lisa Morse
602-414-9361
lmorse@firstsolar.com
Source: First Solar, Inc.
