First Solar reaches 5GW manufacturing output milestone; begins production of 87W CdTe modules

First Solar revealed that since it began commercial production in 2002, the company had officially reached a cumulative production of 5GW, or 66 million solar modules. “This milestone helps advance our mission of providing clean solar electricity at affordable prices. Our ability to scale high-volume production has been a key factor in reducing the cost of renewable energy,” said Tymen DeJong, First Solar senior vice president of global manufacturing.

The company also noted that due to its continued efforts towards improving module efficiency it will begin production of its 87W modules. In July, First Solar advised that its R&D program had reached a 17.3% efficient cadmium telluride solar cell, with an average module conversion efficiency of 12.4%.