First Solar to supply modules for Australia's largest Solar PV installation

TEMPE, USA: First Solar Inc. will supply photovoltaic (PV) modules to Solar Shop Australia, Pty Ltd. (Solar Shop), for a 1MW DC rooftop project.

The solar power system, installed on six separate buildings at the Adelaide Showground in South Australia, will be the largest PV installation in the country. The rooftop system is being commissioned by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia.

First Solar is the world’s largest manufacturer of thin film solar modules. The Company recently announced that it has produced 1 gigawatt of its PV modules since beginning commercial production. In addition, First Solar has the lowest manufacturing cost in the industry, having broken the $1 per watt price barrier by reducing its manufacturing cost to 98 cents.

“First Solar is proud to be supplying modules for the country’s largest PV system,” said John Carrington, First Solar executive vice president of marketing and business development. “This project will take one of Australia’s most abundant resources, sunlight, and convert it into clean, affordable electricity.”

“This project marks the beginning of what we expect to be a very promising future for solar energy in Australia,” said Carrington. “Australia’s policy initiatives have set the stage for the growth of affordable renewable energy, and First Solar’s advanced, cost-effective solar technology is a perfect fit.”

Solar Shop, in an alliance partnership with building and engineering company Build Environs Pty Ltd., will design and construct the 1MW installation, which is expected to displace approximately 1500 tons of CO2 every year.

Construction is anticipated to begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2009. The power produced by the solar installation will be used predominantly at the Adelaide Showground site, displacing power generated from conventional sources.

“Solar Shop Australia is excited to be introducing First Solar’s modules into the Australian market and particularly for use on this project, Australia’s largest solar PV installation,” said Adrian Ferraretto, Solar Shop’s managing director. “Solar Shop determined First Solar’s modules offered the best option for the Showground after considering a number of other solar technologies and the client’s specific requirements.”