First Solar has long supplied its CdTe thin-film solar panels to the utility-scale market, but now with a distribution partnership with Graybar, Kinect Solar, and WESCO Distribution, the company plans to supply the distributed generation (DG) market in the United States.
The distributors will offer First Solar’s large Series 6 module to the community solar, C&I and municipal markets.
“We are excited to work with Graybar, Kinect Solar, and WESCO Distribution. Each of these companies will help bring First Solar’s utility-grade quality and execution certainty to the DG market,” said Darin Green, First Solar’s senior director for business development, in a blog post. “They can engage a diverse set of customers with the robust support and execution certainty required for success in the distributed markets. Critically, they can offer clients an unmatched customer-centric experience that arms DG solar players with the confidence to bid and build projects on schedule at the agreed bin and price.”
Best of luck to start your working with graybar, Kinect solar and Wesco distributor
Way back in 2002 and 2003 First Solar still had their (EPC) division and were installing large utility scale solar PV farms for $1/watt. The 27 square feet of panel space at around 450watts should be a good fit for large scale solar PV strings and single tracking set up for East/West panel rotation. At the speed at which First Solar can create a panel, just wondering what these utility scale projects cost installed per watt today? When First Solar gets around to powering their manufacturing facility with solar PV in a few years, what will the cost be per panel? Could it be possible to install utility scale solar PV with East/West tracking and appurtenances for $0.50/watt in the near future?
In China, the installation cost of utility solar is less than 0.5$ per watt. I am still confused why FS turns to DG and avoids utility scale solar plant. Does it means Thin film is not competitive in price compared with si modules?