First Solar, Inc. has executed a framework agreement with Energix Renewables. Under the terms of the agreement, Energix will procure 51 gigawatts (GWDC) of First Solar’s responsibly produced, ultra-low carbon thin film solar modules. These modules will be utilized in Energix projects across Israel, Poland, and the United States, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2030. Energix, a prominent renewable energy company in Israel, has a substantial portfolio of over 7 GW of projects in development across the above-mentioned countries. In addition to this procurement deal, Energix has also enlisted First Solar Recycling Services to handle the end-of-life management of decommissioned modules. This agreement is a significant milestone as Energix has previously ordered more than 3.5 GWDCs of First Solar technology since 2017.
“As we grow our pipeline, we want a trusted partner that will not compromise on quality, its commitments, or principles, and that partner is First Solar,” said Asa (Asi) Levinger, chief executive officer, Energix. “This deal, our largest ever, strongly reflects the long-term strategic partnership we share with First Solar. It also constitutes a significant milestone for Energix’s long-term growth, as we rapidly expand our global pipeline, with an emphasis on the United States. With shared goals and a united vision for a sustainable energy future, this deal perfectly suits our needs, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements and reinforcing our commitment to our stakeholders.”
This deal demonstrates once again the substantial place Energix takes as one of our biggest client worldwide, and we feel honorable to take active part in Energix’s significant growth, especially in the United States. We are pleased that Energix will power its asset portfolio with First Solar’s module technology,” said Georges Antoun, chief commercial officer, First Solar. “This is another example of a large, sophisticated player choosing to de-risk its development portfolio by working with us. They recognize that they do not simply get a high-quality, high-performance, responsibly-produced PV module, but a trusted partner and long-term pricing and supply certainty, which are rarities in the solar industry.”
First Solar opts for responsibly produced, cutting-edge thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules, setting new industry standards for quality, durability, reliability, design, and environmental performance. Among commercially available PV modules, First Solar’s solar modules have the lowest carbon and water footprint. Plus, the company has earned the distinction of being the first PV manufacturer to have its product listed in the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) global registry for sustainable electronics.
Energix projects’ end-of-life modules will undergo processing through an innovative initiative of First Solar, enabling closed-loop semiconductor recovery for use in new modules. Additionally, the program will recover valuable materials such as aluminum, glass, and laminates.
First Solar’s distinctive thin film semiconductor, integrated manufacturing process, and closely monitored supply chain play a vital role in mitigating the risk of exposure to solar supply chains associated with forced labor, as identified by the US Department of Labor’s 2022 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor. The company is also the only one among the world’s top ten solar manufacturers to be a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the largest coalition industry dedicated to safeguarding the rights and well-being of workers and communities in the global supply chain. First Solar maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labor, ensuring the utmost integrity in its manufacturing processes and supply chains.
First Solar is making an investment of about $1.3 billion to strengthen its US manufacturing capabilities. The company aims to expand its annual nameplate capacity from its current 6.5 gigawatts (GWDC) to approximately 10.9 GWDC by the year 2026. This initiative includes a planned investment of $1.1 billion for the construction of a new 3.5 GWDC facility in Alabama, alongside a $185 million expansion of its existing manufacturing facilities in Ohio.
As the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, First Solar is also committed to pushing boundaries of innovation. To support this goal, the company is investing up to $370 million in a dedicated research and development (R&D) innovation center located in Perrysburg, Ohio. The R&D center is expected to be completed by 2024.
