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Thin-film solar market leader will supply its CdTe photovoltaic modules to Solar Shop Australia for a 1-MW rooftop project at the Adelaide Showground in south Australia. The solar power system, installed on six separate buildings at the site, will be the largest PV installation in the country, according to the companies.

The rooftop system, commissioned by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, marks the initial deployment of First Solar CdTe modules into the Australian market.

Solar Shop, in an alliance partnership with building and engineering company Build Environs, will design and construct the PV installation. Construction should begin immediately and will likely be completed by 3Q2009. The power produced by the solar installation will be used predominantly at the Adelaide Showground site, displacing power generated from conventional sources.

"First Solar is proud to be supplying modules for the country's largest PV system," said John Carrington, First Solar executive VP 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," he continued. "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 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."

Solar Shop says it is the largest provider of grid-connected PV systems in Australia, accounting for 25% of the market in 2008.