Solar Cells Info

By Kamarul Yunus /February 1 2007
source: Business Times Malaysia
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Thursday/Frontpage/BT606204.txt

FIRST Solar, a manufacturer of solar modules listed on the New York Stock Exchange, plans to invest US$150 million (RM525 million) to set up a manufacturing plant in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah. The company, in a statement posted on its website, said construction work on the plant is scheduled to begin in April and to be completed late this year. Production is planned to begin in the second half of next year. “When fully operational, the proposed plant will provide jobs to some 500 people. The project is part of the company’s expansion production plan,” First Solar said. The proposed plant in Malaysia is a new four-line solar module manufacturing plant with an expected minimum annual capacity, or nameplate capacity, of 100 megawatts (MW).

“The Malaysian Government is providing a 15-year income tax holiday as an incentive for First Solar’s investment in Malaysia. The manufacturing site can accommodate future expansion,” First Solar said. Based in Phoenix in the US, First Solar currently operates a manufacturing plant in Ohio with 75MW nameplate capacity and is in the process of completing a manufacturing plant in Germany with 100MW nameplate capacity.

Solar modules consist of many interconnected solar cells embedded between two glass or plastic plates to protect them from weather. Commenting on its expansion in Malaysia, First Solar chief executive officer Michael Ahearn attributed it to expectations of continued strong demand for its solar modules as a low-cost leader in the industry.

“The expansion in Malaysia accelerates our cost reduction efforts by creating economies of scale in a low-cost manufacturing environment and providing a long-term tax incentive holiday.  “We are pleased to be working with the Malaysian Government, State of Kedah and the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, and look forward to a strong long-term partnership,” Ahearn said.

Malaysian Industrial Development Authority director general Datuk R. Karunakaran was also quoted as saying that First Solar’s proposed investment is the first project to manufacture solar modules in Malaysia. “This investment brings to Malaysia the latest technology in the solar energy sector,” he said. By enabling clean renewable electricity at affordable cost, First Solar provides an economic alternative to peak conventional electricity and the related fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and peak-time grid constraints.

First Solar was founded in 1999 to commercialise an advanced thin film semiconductor process for manufacturing cost-effective photovoltaic modules. In 2002, it began pilot production of its solar modules for commercial applications. By end-2004, it had completed the qualification of its base module production plant. In 2005, First Solar initiated a plan to replicate its base module production plant to meet demand for its products, with total current and planned module production capacity of 175MW by the second half of this year. The company aims to use its advanced thin film module technology and manufacturing capabilities to enable cost-effective solar electricity to be deployed throughout the world.

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First Solar Announces 100MW Manufacturing Plant Expansion in Malaysia

PHOENIX, Jan 25, 2007  / First Solar press release
http://investor.firstsolar.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=227063

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) today announced it will expand production with a new four-line solar module manufacturing plant with an expected minimum annual capacity (or nameplate capacity) of 100MW. The manufacturing plant will be located in Kulim Hi Tech Park located in Kedah, Malaysia and when fully ramped will employ approximately 500 people. Plant construction is scheduled to begin in April 2007 and conclude late in 2007, with production planned to begin in the second half of 2008. The total plant investment is estimated to be $150M. The Malaysian government is providing a 15-year income tax holiday as an incentive for First Solar’s investment in Malaysia. The manufacturing site can accommodate future expansion.

First Solar currently operates a manufacturing plant in Ohio with 75MW nameplate capacity and is in the process of completing a manufacturing plant in Germany with 100MW nameplate capacity. “Our expansion in Malaysia is enabled by the continued strong demand we are experiencing for our solar modules as a low-cost leader in the industry,” stated Michael Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer of First Solar. “The expansion in Malaysia accelerates our cost reduction efforts by creating additional economies of scale in a low-cost manufacturing environment and providing a long-term tax incentive holiday. We are very pleased to be working with the Malaysian government, the State of Kedah, and the Kulim Hi Tech Park and look forward a strong long-term partnership,” he added.

Y.Bhg. Datuk R. Karunakaran, Director General, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, said, “The Government welcomes First Solar’s investment as it is the first project to manufacture solar modules in Malaysia. This investment brings to Malaysia the latest technology in the solar energy sector.”