First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) Solar Energy

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www.firstsolar.com

Sustainable solar energy solutions and natural resource conservation are at the heart of First Solar's commitment to the environment.
Worldwide demand for energy increases each day. By the year 2025 demand is projected to double from its existing levels. With such a rapidly growing trend, satisfying a global need for energy through traditional fossil fuel methods could produce irreversible environmental damage. Energy generation strategies must begin the transition to sources of renewable, sustainable energy.

Solar energy provides a sustainable, renewable and clean source of energy. It conserves natural resources by considerably reducing fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and peak time grid constraints. Utilizing solar energy, along with other renewable sources, provides a blueprint for meeting the long-term energy requirements of a global society.

Environmental Mission
First Solar is committed to improving the global environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities. We are accomplishing this by:

Producing cost effective solar energy solutions that displace fossil fuels and other conventional energy solutions,
Managing our product life cycle – from raw material sourcing through end of life collection and recycling – in a perpetually renewable cycle that continually reduces hazardous air emissions and removes solid waste from the environment, and
Striving for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services.

First Solar regularly reviews the impact of our business operations to ensure adherence to our environmental mission.



By enabling clean, renewable electricity at lower costs, First Solar is providing a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources.
This goal has driven First Solar to become one of the fastest growing manufacturers of solar modules in the world. First Solar FS Series 2 PV Modules represent the latest advancements in solar module technology, and are rapidly driving the cost of solar electricity to rates comparable with traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources.

The First Solar Corporate Mission

To create enduring value by enabling a world powered by clean, affordable solar electricity.



Company Facts & Figures
First Solar was formed in 1999 and launched production of commercial products in 2002

First Solar has achieved the lowest manufacturing cost per watt in the industry, $.93/watt for the first quarter of 2009, having broken the $1 per watt price barrier in 2008.

First Solar is the largest manufacturer of thin film solar modules, having expanded manufacturing capacity to an expected 735 MW in 2008; and with additional plants under construction, First Solar will bring total expected capacity to more than 1 GW by the end of 2009 (see chart on right)
First Solar developed the first pre-funded module collection and recycling program in the PV industry

First Solar’s IPO took place on November 17, 2006; Common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol FSLR

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First Solar, EDF build solar panel plant in France

PARIS — Solar module manufacturer First Solar Inc. and EDF Energies Nouvelles, a 50-percent-owned subsidiary of France-based EDF group, have formed a venture in a view to build a solar panel manufacturing plant in France.

With an initial capacity of more than 100MWp per year, the plant represents an investment of 90 million euros. EDF Energies Nouvelles said it will finance half of the capital expense and plant start-up costs. In return, it will benefit from the plant's entire output for the first 10 years.

The plant, whose site location is expected to be revealed within the next few months, will produce solar panels based on First Solar's advanced, thin-film photovoltaic technology.

In 2008, EDF Energies Nouvelles raised 500 million euros to finance its expansion in the photovoltaic sector and set itself a target of installing 500MWp in photovoltaic capacity for its own account by 2012.

"Securing a competitive supply is essential for us to participate in the development of a large French solar market," commented Pâris Mouratoglou, chairman of the board of EDF Energies Nouvelles.

This new venture supports the goal of the French government to become a leader in sustainable energy technologies including solar electricity.

Visiting the National Institute for Solar Energy (INES) in Le Bourget du Lac, in the French Alps, in June, French President Nicolas Sarkozy indeed reaffirmed his intention to enhance the Government efforts to develop renewable energies while pursuing nuclear energy. He called for a convention on renewable energies and expressed his support to the second phase of INES, with 500 researchers by 2013.

"INES is a resounding success," declared Sarkozy. "INES II, we agree. This means that we will go up to 500 researchers. The Government is behind you. Move on, go for the second stage. Launch INES II. France has decided to invest in photovoltaics in the long term. There is no reason why our German friends should do better than us in the solar industry."

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First Solar, Inc. Announces 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results
4:01p ET July 30, 2009 (Business Wire)
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 27, 2009. Quarterly revenues were $525.9 million, up from $418.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and up from $267.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2009 were $944.1 million compared to $464.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2008.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was $180.6 million or $2.11 per share on a fully diluted basis, up from $164.6 million or $1.99 per share on a fully diluted basis for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and up from $69.7 million or $0.85 per share on a fully diluted basis for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

First Solar will discuss these results and outlook for fiscal 2009 in a conference call scheduled for today at 1:30 p.m. MST (4:30 p.m. EDT). Investors may access a live audio webcast of this conference call in the Investors section of the Company's web site at First Solar :: Lowering the Cost of Solar Electricity :: Home. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The audio replay will remain available until Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EDT and can be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112 if you are calling from within the United States or 719-457-0820 if you are calling from outside the United States and entering access code 6443641. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor section on the Company's Web site approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for 90 calendar days. If you are a subscriber of FactSet and Thomson One, you can obtain a written transcript within 2 hours.

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First Solar to Build World’s Largest Solar Power Plant in China

By John Duce and Indira A.R. Lakshmanan

Sept. 9 (Bloomberg) -- First Solar Inc., a U.S.-based renewable energy company, will build the world’s largest solar power plant in China as the country plans to increase non- polluting electricity generation.

The plant would be about thirty times larger than existing solar power stations operating in Europe, Dulce Qu, a Beijing- based spokeswoman for company, said by telephone today. The 2,000-megawatt complex will be built in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, China by 2019, Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar said yesterday. One mega watt is enough to power 800 U.S. homes.

China, the world’s biggest polluter, burns coal to produce 80 percent of its electricity and wants at least 15 percent of the nation’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. The U.S. and China are trying to reduce emissions of gases blamed for global warming, and the New York Times reported yesterday Bechtel Corp. plans to build a solar station in California.

“There are a few existing solar projects of about 50 to 60 megawatts, but this would be the biggest by a country mile,” said Charles Yonts, an analyst specializing in alternative energy at CLSA Ltd. in Hong Kong. “China is suggesting the solar market will be up to 20,000 megawatts by 2020, but the scale of this project suggests these estimates are far too conservative.”

China may increase its capacity to generate electricity from sunlight more than 13-fold by 2011, Cui Rongqiang, head of the Shanghai Solar Energy Society, said Aug. 31. The country’s solar- power capacity may rise to 2,000 megawatts by 2011 and 20,000 megawatts by 2020, from 150 megawatts in 2008, he said.

Chinese Investment

The world’s second-biggest energy consuming nation plans to invest 2 trillion yuan ($293 billion) in its alternative-energy industry from 2006 through 2020, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s economic planning agency. China may pass Europe, Japan and the U.S. to become the world’s largest user of renewable energy by 2010, according to Washington-based researcher WorldWatch Institute.

Bechtel is teaming up with BrightSource Energy Inc. to build a 440-megawatt solar power plant to supply electricity to Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, the New York Times reported yesterday, citing Ian Copeland, Bechtel’s president of fossil power.

Bechtel spokesman Francis Canavan didn’t respond to a voice- mail message left on his mobile phone after business hours. BrightSource Energy didn’t return a voice-mail message on it press line.

Inner Mongolia

First Solar’s Inner Mongolia project will be built in four phases, the first beginning by June 1, 2010, and the final phase to be completed by 2019, according to yesterday’s statement. The project will operate under a feed-in-tariff that guarantees the pricing of the electricity generated by the plant. No details were given of the investment in the project.

When completed, the complex would cover an area of 25 square miles, spokeswoman Qu said today.

Under the agreement, First Solar will consider module and manufacturing sites in Ordos. The company said it will drive expansion of photovoltaic module production and recycling of used ones in China.

First Solar surged $12.94, or 11 percent, to $134.41 on the Nasdaq Stock Market yesterday. The stock has fallen 2.6 percent this year.

The agreement for the First Solar deal came during a visit to Arizona by Wu Bangguo, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress and the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit the U.S. since President Barack Obama took office.

Wu also saw Honeywell International’s aerospace headquarters in Phoenix this week. Wu, who is leading a 100- member delegation to the U.S., is scheduled to visit the White House and Capitol Hill, a top Chinese official said yesterday.

“This is the first major visit by the Chinese leadership to the United States since the inauguration” of Obama, said Xie Feng, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Washington. “Aside from the symbolic significance of this visit, it’s also aimed at enhancing cooperation” between the U.S. and China.
First Solar to Build World?s Largest Solar Power Plant in China - Bloomberg.com

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First Solar Fails to Lift Solar ETFs

By Don Dion

About this article:
The solar energy sector failed to see a boost even as Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar joined the S&P 500. FSLR is Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF's second-largest holding, with more than 10.5% of the fund's assets. The Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF also lists the company as its largest holding, with more than 11% of assets. Shares of the company jumped more than 6% during Friday trading on the news. First Solar will be the first pure-play solar energy company to be listed on the S&P 500 stock index. The company is expected to take the place of the drugmaker Wyeth. Wyeth is being acquired by Pfizer. News Corp. is slated to join the S&P 100 index in WYE's absence. The good news failed to lift solar ETFs as the funds remained in the red throughout Friday's trading. KWT was down less than 1%

http://secure2.thestreet.com/cap/log...F10606801.html

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First Solar to Sell Solar Plant

First Solar Inc. (NasdaqGS: FSLR - News) has recently entered into an agreement with Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB - News). As per the agreement, Enbridge will acquire First Solar’s 20MW solar energy project under construction near Sarnia, Ontario.

First Solar to Sell Solar Plant - Yahoo! Finance

The Sarnia solar energy project is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2009. The project is touted as the largest photovoltaic solar energy facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. At 20MW, Enbridge expects the project to generate enough power to meet the needs of about 3,200 homes and help to save the equivalent of approximately 6,600 tons of CO2 annually.

First Solar will provide operations and maintenance services under a long-term contract. The power output of the facility will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority as per a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement under the terms of the Ontario Government's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.

The Sarnia project will complement Enbridge's four existing wind energy projects, having an annualized capacity of 260MW. Enbridge, a Canadian company, is a transporter of energy with a substantial exposure in natural gas transmission and midstream businesses. The company is also focusing on renewable sources like wind and solar energy, hybrid fuel cells and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Based in Phoenix, AZ, First Solar designs, manufactures and sells solar electric power modules using a proprietary thin film semiconductor technology. The company's solar modules employ a thin layer of cadmium telluride semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity. It sells its products to project developers, system integrators and operators of renewable energy projects primarily in Europe with a distinct focus on Germany and the U.S. First Solar also focuses on designing and deploying commercial solar projects for utilities in the United States.

First Solar enjoys a distinct cost advantage over its peers due its reliance on low cost thin-film cells. However, the advantage is ebbing fast due to falling polysilicon prices. First Solar’s growth potential and that of the solar industry in the aggregate requires prudent long-term focus on technological enhancements, capacity build-out and cost minimization.

Balancing all the three aspects would be an uphill task. Competition in the field is becoming tougher day by day for U.S. solar players such as First Solar, who miss out on Government dole unlike its Chinese counterparts like Suntech Power Holdings Company Ltd (NYSE: STP - News) and ReneSola Ltd (NYSE: SOL - News). We maintain our market Outperform recommendation on the shares.

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On Friday, First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) headed north after Standard & Poor said the solar company would join the S&P 500. This is the first pure play solar company to join the index.

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FSLR Chart

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First Solar, the company that popularized cadmium telluride, is the world's largest solar manufacturer, with 1.1 gigawatts of production last year. It owes much of its leadership to having the lowest announced per-watt costs in the industry. The company, which broke the $1-per-watt milestone back in February of last year, in the second quarter announced it's producing panels at a cost of US $0.76 per watt.

And a big part of the reason for its low costs has been its growing efficiencies, said Jenny Chase, lead solar analyst for Bloomberg New Energy Finance. "One of the reasons First Solar is so successful is because they keep improving the efficiency of their modules, which means their effective capacity increases without them spending new money on new lines," she said. "They're doing the same thing, but because they're doing it slightly more smartly, they're getting more watts and paying slightly more, but can sell for [more money] because the modules are sold per watt."

First Solar sells the most efficient cadmium-telluride panels in the world, with Photon's February overview tracking them at 10.4 percent efficiency. The company reported that its panels grew to 11.2 percent efficiency in the second quarter of this year from 10.9 percent efficiency in the same quarter last year.

Meanwhile, the top lab record for this technology is a 16.7 percent cell created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which tested the cell back in 2001, according to Progress in Photovoltaics. And the theoretical efficiency hovers around 30 percent, according to an NREL report.

In an announcement in September, Sunovia Energy Technologies and EPIR Technologies claimed they’ve made a technology breakthrough that could raise that potential efficiency. They said the cadmium-telluride technology set a new world record for open-circuit voltage, which correlates to efficiency, and estimate they will be able to make two-junction cells with a production efficiency of 35 percent.

[centralvalleypower]

Originally Posted by greencat

First Solar Fails to Lift Solar ETFs

By Don Dion

About this article:
The solar energy sector failed to see a boost even as Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar joined the S&P 500. FSLR is Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF's second-largest holding, with more than 10.5% of the fund's assets. The Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF also lists the company as its largest holding, with more than 11% of assets. Shares of the company jumped more than 6% during Friday trading on the news. First Solar will be the first pure-play solar energy company to be listed on the S&P 500 stock index. The company is expected to take the place of the drugmaker Wyeth. Wyeth is being acquired by Pfizer. News Corp. is slated to join the S&P 100 index in WYE's absence. The good news failed to lift solar ETFs as the funds remained in the red throughout Friday's trading. KWT was down less than 1%

http://secure2.thestreet.com/cap/log...F10606801.html

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