TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 28, 2009--
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) announced today that it will supply
photovoltaic (PV) modules to Solar Shop Australia, Pty Ltd. (Solar
Shop), for a 1 megawatt (MW) DC rooftop project. The solar power system,
installed on six separate buildings at the Adelaide Showground in South
Australia, will be the largest PV installation in the country. The
rooftop system is being commissioned by the Royal Agricultural and
Horticultural Society of South Australia.
First Solar is the world’s largest manufacturer of thin film solar
modules. The Company recently announced that it has produced 1 gigawatt
of its PV modules since beginning commercial production. In addition,
First Solar has the lowest manufacturing cost in the industry, having
broken the $1 per watt price barrier by reducing its manufacturing cost
to 98 cents.
“First Solar is proud to be supplying modules for the country’s largest
PV system,” said John Carrington, First Solar executive vice president
of marketing and business development. “This project will take one of
Australia’s most abundant resources, sunlight, and convert it into
clean, affordable electricity.”
“This project marks the beginning of what we expect to be a very
promising future for solar energy in Australia,” said Carrington.
“Australia’s policy initiatives have set the stage for the growth of
affordable renewable energy, and First Solar’s advanced, cost-effective
solar technology is a perfect fit.”
Solar Shop, in an alliance partnership with building and engineering
company Build Environs Pty Ltd., will design and construct the 1 MW
installation, which is expected to displace approximately 1500 tons of CO2
every year. Construction is anticipated to begin immediately and is
expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2009. The power
produced by the solar installation will be used predominantly at the
Adelaide Showground site, displacing power generated from conventional
sources.
“Solar Shop Australia is excited to be introducing First Solar’s modules
into the Australian market and particularly for use on this project,
Australia’s largest solar PV installation,” said Adrian Ferraretto,
Solar Shop’s managing director. “Solar Shop determined First Solar’s
modules offered the best option for the Showground after considering a
number of other solar technologies and the client’s specific
requirements.”
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) is changing the way the world is
powered by creating truly sustainable solar energy solutions. First
Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor
technology and provides comprehensive PV system solutions. By constantly
decreasing manufacturing costs, First Solar is creating an affordable
and environmentally responsible alternative to fossil-fuel generation.
First Solar modules are most effective when demand for traditional forms
of energy is at its peak. First Solar set the benchmark for
environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing
the industry's first prefunded, 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.
About Solar Shop
Solar Shop Australia is the largest provider of grid-connected solar
systems in Australia, having installed 25 percent of all systems in
2008. Using quality components sourced globally and locally, the company
has helped thousands of Australian homeowners realise the benefits of
solar energy over the last ten years. Solar Shop Australia is now using
this knowledge and experience to develop large scale commercial projects
Australia-wide. For more information please visit www.solarshop.com.au.
Source: First Solar, Inc.
First Solar, Inc.
United States:
Lisa Morse
+1-602-414-9361
media@firstsolar.com
Europe:
Brandon
Mitchener
+49-6131-1443-399
media@firstsolar.com