First Solar partners with Energix Renewables for 51GW module delivery by 2030

First Solar, Inc., a leading player in the solar industry, announced today that it has inked a deal with Energix Renewables, one of Israel’s largest renewable energy companies.

According to the agreement, First Solar will supply Energix Renewables with 51 gigawatts (GWDC) of its high-quality, ultra-low carbon thin film solar modules. The delivery, set to take place between 2026 and 2030, will power Energix projects in Israel, Poland, and the United States.

Furthermore,  Energix Renewables has engaged First Solar Recycling Services for the handling of decommissioned modules at the end of their life cycle. This deal comes after Energix Renewables previously ordered over 3.5 GWDC of First Solar technology since 2017.

“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,” said Asa (Asi) Levinger, Chief Executive Officer of Energix Renewables.

Known for its industry-leading quality, durability, and environmental performance, First Solar’s thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules have the smallest carbon and water footprint of any commercially available PV module today. First Solar is also the first PV manufacturer to be included in the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) global registry for sustainable electronics.

First Solar to provide Energix with ultra-low carbon solar modules in landmark agreement. Photo courtesy of First Solar, Inc.

In this collaboration, end-of-life modules from Energix projects will benefit from First Solar’s groundbreaking recycling program. The program focuses on closed-loop semiconductor recovery for use in new modules and recovers additional materials such as aluminum, glass, and laminates.

Georges Antoun, Chief Commercial Officer of First Solar, shared, “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.”

Notably, First Solar’s thin film semiconductor and integrated manufacturing process help mitigate the risk of exposure to solar supply chains tainted by forced labor, as identified by the US Department of Labor’s 2022 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor.

In other news, First Solar plans to invest approximately $1.3 billion to expand its US manufacturing footprint from over 6.5 GWDC of annual nameplate capacity currently, to roughly 10.9 GWDC by 2026. In addition to a planned $1.1 billion investment in a new 3.5 GWDC facility in Alabama, the company also intends to expand its existing manufacturing footprint in Ohio with a $185 million investment.

Moreover, an investment of up to $370 million has been announced for a dedicated research and development (R&D) innovation center in Perrysburg, Ohio, set to be completed by 2024.