Tamil Nadu gets India's 1st solar factory US giant First Solar shines in

First Solar, a US-based company, has inaugurated its groundbreaking facility in Tamil Nadu, heralding India’s inaugural fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant. With a substantial investment of approximately USD 700 million, including USD 500 million in financing from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the facility was officially unsveiled.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Promotions, and Commerce of the Government of Tamil Nadu, along with Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, and Scott Nathan, CEO of the DFC.

Spanning six acres, the facility boasts an annual capacity of 3.3 GW and provides employment for about 1,000 individuals. Specializing in the production of First Solar’s Series 7 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, tailored for the Indian market, this unit is positioned as the world’s pioneer in net-zero water withdrawal solar manufacturing. Operating in an area characterized by high baseline water stress, the facility exclusively relies on treated reverse osmosis water from the city's sewage treatment plant (STP).

Renowned for its eco-efficiency, the Series 7 module manufactured by this facility stands out for its significantly lower carbon and water footprint. Adopting a sustainable manufacturing approach, First Solar's processes consume 50 percent less energy.

Beyond its Indian facility, the company has expanded its manufacturing footprint globally, with operations in the US, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Aiming to achieve a global annual capacity of 25 GW by 2026, this ambitious target is part of the company's USD 4.1 billion manufacturing expansion strategy.

News by Rahul yelligetti