Yingli sets supply deal for French plant

The deal with Maessa Telecomunicaciones Ingenieria Maetel calls for Yingli to ship the modules from October through the end of April 2011. Financial details were not disclosed.

Solar companies are hoping that growing demand from France, Italy, the Czech Republic and other European companies will help offset a likely drop in sales to Germany, the world's largest market, which is set to pare back its supports for the industry in the coming months.

The plant to be built in Curbans, France will be owned by GDF Suez Group and is expected to produce 43.5 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 14,500 households.