First Solar, EDF eye joint solar venture

BLANQUEFORT, FRANCE - First Solar, Inc. and EDF Energies Nouvelles announced that they are in the final stages of exclusive negotiations with the town of Blanquefort, near the city of Bordeaux, to locate a new solar panel manufacturing plant.

The plant, co-financed by First Solar and EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN), will be operated by First Solar and sell its entire production of innovative, thin-film photovoltaic panels to EDF EN for its first 10 years of operation. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2010 and a full production capacity of more than 100 megawatts (MW) a year is to be reached in early 2012.

The plant is expected to create up to 400 jobs in the region of Aquitaine and represent a total investment of approximately €100 million (US $150 million). The decision to focus on Blanquefort for the manufacturing plant follows an extensive review of potential sites throughout the country. First Solar and EDF EN expect to finalize all remaining agreements in the coming weeks.

First Solar and EDF EN believe that France will become a major market for solar electricity in Europe thanks in large part to forward-looking French solar policies.

“Blanquefort is the ideal location for our second manufacturing facility in Europe and producing there will bring us closer to the French solar market, which we believe has the potential to become one of Europe’s brightest,” said Rob Gillette, Chief Executive Officer of First Solar. “We look forward to deepening our relationship with France. Aquitaine has impressed us with its passion, excellent infrastructure and highly skilled workforce.”

“EDF Energies Nouvelles is very proud to see the achievement of a key milestone in this strategic partnership with First Solar. Securing a competitive supply of modules will allow us to optimize and speed up the deployment of our ambitious French solar program,” said David Corchia, Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles. “We also believe that this will be a key catalyst in the development of a strong solar industry in France.”

First SolarÂ’s manufacturing site will also include a facility for recycling solar panels, FranceÂ’s first such facility. First Solar operates the solar industryÂ’s first comprehensive, pre-funded collection and recycling program to encourage the recovery of its panels and re-use of materials.

Related News

holiday scam warning

Ontario's five largest electricity providers join together to warn of holiday scams

TORONTO - Ontario’s five largest electricity utilities have come together to warn the public about ongoing scams concerning fake phone calls, texts and bills connected to the utility accounts.

“We always receive these reports of scams and it gets increasingly higher during the holidays when people are busy and enjoying the season," said Whitney Brhelle, spokesperson with Hydro One.

Hydro One joined with Alectra Utilities, Elexicon Energy, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro to get the message out that scammers are targeting customers and threatening to turn off their power.

Scams involve impersonation of a local utility or its employees, threatening phone calls, texts…

READ MORE
net zero

Net-zero roadmap can cut electricity costs by a third in Germany - Wartsila

READ MORE

all electric homes

All-electric home sports big windows, small footprint

READ MORE

U.S. Electricity Sales Projections

U.S. Electricity Sales Projections Continue to Fall

READ MORE

france ireland connection

Ireland and France will connect their electricity grids - here's how

READ MORE