SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) has awarded a contract to the IXL Group
(IXL) of companies based in Geelong to manufacture and deliver the
framing system for the 155 MW (AC) utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV)
projects at Nyngan and Broken Hill in New South Wales. AGL engaged First
Solar to construct the solar projects which are expected to produce
approximately 360,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year — enough
to meet the needs of over 50,000 average homes in NSW.
In 2012, IXL successfully manufactured and delivered the framing system
for the 10MW Greenough River Solar Farm (GRSF) in Western Australia,
which was also constructed by First Solar. Until now, GRSF was the
largest solar project completed in Australia. IXL has been able to
benefit from the experience with this first project to provide First
Solar a cost effective Australian manufactured framing capability with a
relatively shorter supply chain. The framing system for the Nyngan and
Broken Hill projects will require approximately 6000 tonnes of
Australian made steel.
"First Solar selected the IXL Group for this important contract because
of the company's proven experience and reliability in successfully
delivering the framing system for the Greenough River Solar Farm," said
Jack Curtis, First Solar's Vice President of Business Development for
Asia Pacific. "Our continued selection of local supply chain providers
validates the economic viability of producing solar components in
Australia and will continue to help support Australian industry and job
creation. Partnering with IXL will further enable First Solar to reduce
the cost of delivering solar power to the Australia market through the
efficiencies that come from working on multiple projects."
Various companies in the IXL Group will contribute to the project, which
at its peak will create approximately 40 additional jobs within the IXL
Group. Backwell IXL in Geelong will be responsible for a range of
components to be used in the framing system, as well as building much of
the manufacturing infrastructure. These activities also will have a
positive impact on ancillary companies in Geelong and Victoria more
generally, as tooling and a roll forming line for this project will be
sourced from Victorian suppliers.
IXL Solar will assemble the framing systems in Adelaide, and ship the
completed frames to site using road trains. Generally, framing system
suppliers need to assemble product in locations that are relatively
close to installation sites. The Adelaide assembly location helps First
Solar to substantially reduce its project freight costs. Assembly
locations for other future projects will be based on the requirements of
those projects.
The IXL Group looks forward to developing a close and constructive
relationship with the community in Adelaide.
"This is a very important step in the development of our solar
business," said Claude Dagescy, General Manager IXL Solar. "We look
forward to working with First Solar on the Nyngan and Broken Hill
projects and beyond, and believe that Australian made framing systems
can be more than competitive with imports."
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.
About the IXL Group
The IXL Group of companies has operations throughout Australia with its
Head Office in Geelong, and has been in business since 1858. It is
family owned, and today, in addition to IXL Solar, has operations in
appliance marketing and distribution, appliance assembly, metal stamping
and roll-forming and metal casting.
For more information, see www.ixl.com.au
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
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"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.
First Solar media
Carrie Cousins
Burson-Marsteller for
First Solar
+61 2 9928 1536
carrie.cousins@bm.com
or
Deepali
Girdhar
+91 8800 843600
deepali.girdhar@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
or
IXL
media
Claude Degascy
General Manager
03 5225 2223
or
Mark
Borroni
Commercial Manager
0418 382 613
Source: First Solar, Inc.
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