Lightsource bp and First Solar ink 4GW module supply agreement for 2026-28

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Sheep graze under and around First Solar panels at Lightsource bp’s Elm Branch Solar project in Texas. The next edition of PV Tech Power will feature an in-depth discussion of agrivoltaics. Image: Lightsource bp.

Lightsource bp and First Solar have agreed a 4GW module supply deal for US projects to be delivered between 2026-28.

The agreement is the second of its type between the two companies, following a 2021 signing for up to 4.3GW of First Solar’s thin film modules. Lightsource bp will receive delivery of Series 6 plus and next-generation Series 7 thin film modules in the deal, developed and designed at First Solar’s US facilities in Ohio.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

This announcement sits alongside the recent supply deal agreed between First Solar and Silicon Ranch as part of the nascent US domestic PV supply chain, developing with particular developers around First Solar as the predominant US module manufacturer.

In addition to the module supply, Lightsource bp – which is 50% owned by oil major bp – has also committed to First Solar’s module recycling programme to manage assets once they reach the end of their lifespan. Lightsource additionally cited its commitment to reduce its scope one, two and three greenhouse gas emissions as a reason for its ongoing partnership with First Solar, which has made similar announcements for its own emissions.

“The US solar industry is at a pivotal moment, poised to expand at an exponential rate with the Inflation Reduction Act serving as the catalyst,” said Kevin Smith, chief executive officer at Lightsource bp. “We are seizing the opportunity by not just growing our 20 GW development pipeline across the United States, but also creating sizeable demand for our US-based partner First Solar, which, in turn, is investing in innovation and manufacturing, and supporting thousands of direct and indirect American jobs.”

PV Tech explored the value of long-term strategic partnerships to securing the solar PV supply chain last week.

First Solar is poised to begin operations at its 3.3GW Ohio module manufacturing facility in the first half of this year, whilst August 2022 saw the announcement of a vertically integrated 3.5GW factory in the US Southeast.

Georges Antoun, chief commercial officer, First Solar said: “Our relationship with Lightsource bp is a partnership in growth. We enable their growth with certainty through long-term pricing and supply commitments, and advanced technology, while they enable ours by providing the certainty of demand we need to invest in manufacturing.”

In December, Lightsource bp announced intentions to collaborate with Australian folding module deployment producers 5B after their partner bp backed the company with a US$13.5 million investment. PV Tech Premium covered 5B’s alternative approach to PV deployment early this month.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

September 18, 2025
CERC is finalising guidelines for virtual power purchase agreements (vPPAs) to unlock financing for over 40GW of uncontracted renewable capacity.
September 18, 2025
The capacity of virtual power plants in operation in North America has reached 37.5GW, a 13.7% year-on-year growth, according to Wood Mackenzie.
September 18, 2025
Indian PV makers have welcomed the government’s plan to add solar wafers to its ALMM List-III from June 2028.
September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.
September 17, 2025
Spanish renewables developer and operator Acciona Energía has commissioned its 412MWp Juna solar PV plant in Kawani village in the western state of Rajasthan. 
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA