Scout Clean Energy Orders 378 MW of Responsibly Produced First Solar Modules

Rhea-AI Summary

First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) has signed a deal with Scout Clean Energy to supply 378 MW of thin film solar modules. This agreement will help Scout in its projects across the US with operations expected to start in 2024. The solar modules, produced with a low carbon footprint, are part of First Solar's commitment to enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity. The company is investing $680 million to expand its production in Ohio, aiming for an annual capacity of 6 GW by mid-2023. This expansion is part of First Solar's larger growth strategy within the renewable energy sector.

Positive

• Secured a contract to supply 378 MW of solar modules to Scout Clean Energy.
• Investing $680 million to enhance domestic solar manufacturing capacity to 6 GW annually.
• The new facility in Ohio is expected to create over 2,500 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs.

Negative

• None.

Advanced, lower carbon thin film solar modules to power Scout projects

TEMPE, Ariz., May 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) has signed an agreement with Scout Clean Energy to supply 378 megawatts (MW)_DC of advanced, responsibly-produced thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. The deal was booked prior to the release of First Solar’s Q1 2022 earnings in April.

Scout, a renewable energy developer and owner-operator headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is actively developing a portfolio over 12,000 MW of solar PV, battery storage and onshore wind projects spread across 21 US states. Scout is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. Scout plans to use the First Solar modules to begin construction on several late stage projects with start of operations expected in 2024.

“We’re excited to partner with First Solar as we continue to develop and grow our portfolio of solar PV assets across the US. This deal reflects our confidence not just in the technology, but in First Solar itself,” said Michael Rucker, founder and CEO of Scout Clean Energy. “Sourcing our modules from a US-based supply partner at this challenging time solidifies our competitive advantage in meeting our customers urgent timing needs for solar power to meet their decarbonization goals. As we diversify Scout’s asset base and grow our solar portfolio, we want to source our panels through partners that we can trust to deliver with no compromise on quality, ethical sourcing of raw materials and who is committed to ongoing innovation. First Solar readily satisfies those critical criteria for Scout.”

Designed and developed at its research and development (R&D) centers in California and Ohio, First Solar’s responsibly produced advanced thin film PV modules set industry benchmarks for quality, durability, reliability, design, and environmental performance. The modules have the smallest carbon footprint, fastest energy payback time, and lowest lifecycle water footprint in the industry.

“Experienced developers like Scout Clean Energy understand the criticality of both insulating themselves from pricing and supply volatility, and staying true to their values and principles,” said Adam Smith, vice president, Global Business Development, First Solar. “They also recognize the value of technological and supply diversity, and of a competitive product that embodies sustainability and transparency. Together, these factors are invaluable in helping them navigate some of the headwinds that others in the industry struggle with.”

First Solar is investing $680 million in expanding America’s domestic PV solar manufacturing capacity by 3.3 GW annually, by building its third US manufacturing facility, in Lake Township, Ohio. The new facility is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2023 and when fully operational will scale the company’s Northwest Ohio footprint to a total annual capacity of 6 GW, which is believed to make it the largest fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing complex in the United States. First Solar has invested over $2 billion in its US manufacturing footprint and, when its third factory is fully operational, will directly employ over 2,500 people in Ohio, while supporting an estimated 15,000 indirect jobs through its American supply chain.
In addition to its Ohio manufacturing facilities, First Solar also operates factories in Vietnam and Malaysia, and is building a new 3.3 GW factory in India that is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2023. With First Solar’s expansion in the United States and India and optimization of its existing fleet, the company anticipates that its nameplate manufacturing capacity will double to 16 GW in 2024. First Solar is the only US-headquartered company among the world’s ten largest solar manufacturers.

About Scout Clean Energy
Scout Clean Energy is a renewable energy developer, owner-operator headquartered in Boulder, Colorado with over 1,200 MW of operating assets. Scout is actively developing a portfolio of over 12,000 MW of onshore wind, solar PV, and battery storage projects across 21 US states. Scout has expertise in all aspects of renewables project development, permitting, power marketing, finance, construction, 24/7 operations, and asset management. Scout is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. For more information, please visit www.scoutcleanenergy.com.

About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading American solar technology company and global provider of responsibly produced eco-efficient solar modules advancing the fight against climate change. Developed at R&D labs in California and Ohio, the company’s advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules represent the next generation of solar technologies, providing a competitive, high-performance, lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV panels. From raw material sourcing and manufacturing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s approach to technology embodies sustainability and a responsibility towards people and the planet. For more information, please visit www.firstsolar.com.

For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning (1) an order for 378 MW_DC of solar modules for Scout Clean Energy; (2) First Solar’s plans to establish new factories in the United States and India and the expected capacities of those factories; and (3) when those factories are expected to be commissioned and First Solar’s resulting Northwest Ohio and global manufacturing capacity. These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “predict,” “continue” and the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events and therefore speak only as of the date of this release. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as supplemented by our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

Contacts
First Solar Media media@firstsolar.com	First Solar Investor Relations investor@firstsolar.com

FAQ

What is the recent agreement between First Solar and Scout Clean Energy?

First Solar has signed a contract to supply 378 MW of thin film solar modules to Scout Clean Energy.

How much is First Solar investing in its manufacturing capacity?

First Solar is investing $680 million to expand its domestic manufacturing capacity.

What is the expected operational start date for Scout's projects using First Solar modules?

The operations for Scout's projects using First Solar modules are expected to start in 2024.

What is First Solar's projected annual capacity after the expansion?

After the expansion, First Solar's projected annual manufacturing capacity will be 6 GW.