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Rigorous certification uses First Solar PV solar power systems as
benchmark
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"VDE Quality Tested" mark strengthens confidence, reduces risk
TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
VDE Americas, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the globally recognized
certification body VDE Institute, and First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR)
announced today the establishment of a strategic relationship that
significantly raises the industry bar for technical bankability and risk
reduction for PV power plant operators, investors and financial entities.
For years, First Solar — a world-class leader in PV solar power system
and module manufacturing quality and reliability — has relied on
module-level testing and manufacturing processes that went well beyond
currently established international standards. Working with third-party
independent certification body VDE, First Solar has now set a benchmark
for the highest levels of quality and reliability for entire PV solar
power systems.
"At First Solar we are committed to providing the lowest risk and
highest quality products in the solar industry," said Azmat Siddiqi,
First Solar's Senior Vice President of Quality and Reliability. "This
expanded relationship with VDE documents rigorous quality assurance
requirements at the PV plant/system level, and establishes our position
as a leader in technical bankability."
The "VDE Quality Tested" mark for PV power plants was designed by VDE
together with its partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy
Systems (ISE), a world-leading applied research institute in the field
of solar energy. The testing portfolio delivers significant advantages
in four key areas: electrical and mechanical safety of the system;
system performance (through a highly accurate energy yield report);
proper system operation; and independent verification for investors,
lenders, insurance companies and other stakeholders by highly competent
and reputable independent experts.
"VDE has been engaged with First Solar for many years in the
certification of modules and manufacturing processes. We're pleased that
First Solar will be leading the industry by implementing our new VDE
Quality Tested mark for their PV solar power systems," commented John
Sedgwick, President of VDE Americas. "VDE and our partner Fraunhofer ISE
are committed to reducing the technical risk often associated with PV
power plant investments. We will continue to work closely with industry
players to help raise the standard for the solar sector."
About VDE Americas:
VDE Americas is a wholly owned subsidiary of the VDE Testing and
Certification Institute, Germany. The new subsidiary is located in
Silicon Valley and will service VDE markets and customers in North,
South and Latin America. VDE Americas is staffed by highly experienced
solar industry professionals. The subsidiary will serve as the hub for
initial sales, marketing and technical service provision into the
Americas regions.
About VDE Institute:
The VDE Testing and Certification Institute is a significant part of the
VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technology,
which is one of the largest technical and scientific associations in
Europe with more than 35,000 members. The VDE Institute is an
independent institution which is responsible for testing and certifying
the safety and performance of electronic devices, components and systems
for the consumer and the general public using the highest standards of
quality. Cooperation agreements in more than 50 countries ensure that
the inspections of the VDE Institute are internationally recognized.
Millions of electrical products worldwide carry VDE certification marks.
About Fraunhofer ISE:
With a staff of 1,270, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
ISE, based in Freiburg, is the largest solar energy research institute
in Europe. Fraunhofer ISE is committed to promoting energy supply
systems which are sustainable, economic, safe and socially just. It
creates the technological foundations for supplying energy efficiently
and on an environmentally sound basis in industrialized, threshold and
developing countries. To this end, the institute develops materials,
components, systems and processes for a total of eight different
business areas: Energy-Efficient Buildings, Applied Optics and
Functional Surfaces, Solar Thermal Technology, Silicon Photovoltaics,
Photovoltaic Modules and Systems, Alternative Photovoltaic Technology,
Renewable Power Supply and Hydrogen Technology. Fraunhofer ISE also has
numerous accredited test facilities. www.ise.fraunhofer.de
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic
(PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and system technology.
The company's integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically
attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From
raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First
Solar's renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment.
For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.
For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant
to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements, among
other things, concerning: our business strategy, including anticipated
trends and developments in and management plans for our business and the
markets in which we operate; future financial results, operating
results, revenues, gross margin, operating expenses, products, projected
costs, warranties, solar module efficiency and balance of systems
("BoS") cost reduction roadmaps, restructuring, product reliability and
capital expenditures; our ability to continue to reduce the cost per
watt of our solar modules; our ability to reduce the costs to construct
photovoltaic ("PV") solar power systems; research and development
programs and our ability to improve the conversion efficiency of our
solar modules; sales and marketing initiatives; and competition. These
forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words
such as "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend,"
"believe," "forecast," "foresee," "likely," "may," "should," "goal,"
"target," "might," "will," "could," "predict," "continue" and the
negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current
expectations and our projections about future events. You should not
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake
no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any
reason. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual
results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed in Item
1A: "Risk Factors," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2012, as updated and supplemented by risk factors included
in our Prospectus dated June 12, 2013 filed with the SEC pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(5) (the "Prospectus"), Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.
VDE Americas
Alyssa Cauble
alyssa@missionCTRLcommunications.com
or
VDE
Institute, Germany
Keith Punzalan
Keith.Punzalan@vde.com
or
Fraunhofer
ISE
Karin Schneider
Head of Press and Public Relations
Phone:
+49 761 4588-5150
karin.schneider@ise.fraunhofer.de
or
First
Solar Media
Steve Krum
+1 602-427-3359
steve.krum@firstsolar.com
or
First
Solar Investors
David Brady
+1 602-414-9315
dbrady@firstsolar.com
or
Ryan
Ferguson
+1 602-414-9315
rferguson@firstsolar.com
Source: First Solar, Inc.
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