First Solar Inaugurates 3.3 GW Manufacturing Facility in Tamil Nadu
First Solar inaugurated its new facility in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, the country’s first fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant, which has an annual nameplate capacity of 3.3 GW.
Inaugurating the facility, Dr T R B Rajaa, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Industries, Promotions and Commerce, said, “We are pleased that First Solar chose Tamil Nadu for this landmark investment, solidifying our state’s position as India’s hub for manufacturing. This factory sets a high bar for sustainability and advanced manufacturing and has created high-value jobs as a result of its presence in our state, all while supporting India’s ambition to become self-sufficient in solar technology.”
The facility, which directly employs approximately 1,000 people, produces First Solar’s Series 7 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, which were developed at the company’s research and development centers in the US and optimized for the Indian market. First Solar is unique among the world’s largest solar manufacturers for being the only US-headquartered company. The company’s tellurium-based semiconductor, which allows it to avoid dependence on Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains, is the second most common photovoltaic technology available today.
United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, “One month ago in Dubai, COP28 participants issued a bold call for the world to transition away from fossil fuels, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This First Solar production facility will help advance our global transition to cleaner, greener energy, and stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when the United States and India work together – across government and private sectors – to achieve lasting climate action.”
Representing an investment of approximately $700 million, which includes $500 million in previously announced DFC financing, the facility is First Solar’s sixth operational factory and expands the company’s global manufacturing footprint to four countries, including the US, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
“The United States is leveraging American innovation and technology to diversify critical energy supply chains around the world and drive economic growth in India,” said Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). “That’s good for the United States and it’s good for India. This $500 million in financing reflects the increasing strength of our partnership with India – DFC’s largest market and a like-minded partner with a dynamic private sector.”
Since the start of this decade, First Solar has embarked on a $4.1 billion manufacturing expansion strategy that has seen it grow from approximately 6 GW operational in 2020 to over 16 GW global nameplate capacity at the end of 2023. In addition to its India facility, the company also commissioned its third US factory, located in Ohio, in 2023. The company expects to have 25 GW of global annual nameplate capacity by 2026.
“The inauguration of this landmark manufacturing facility and the launch of commercial shipments to customers in India is a crucial milestone in our journey to long-term and sustainable growth,” said Mark Widmar, CEO, First Solar. “The speed with which we were able to build and commission this facility is a testament to the policies of India’s Federal and the Tamil Nadu state governments.”
The factory, which is located in an area of high baseline water stress, is believed to be the world’s first net-zero water withdrawal solar manufacturing facility.
