First Solar to Expand Manufacturing and Development Facilities in Ohio

First Solar, which manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor technology, has announced that it will expand its manufacturing and development facilities in Ohio.

Upon completion, the expansion will increase the annual capacity at the Perrysburg facility to approximately 192MW, based on run rates for the second quarter of 2008. The new investment will add at least 134 new jobs to the company’s current workforce of 700 at its Perrysburg facility.

The expansion will add approximately 500,000sqft of manufacturing, R&D and office space. The company will also construct a separate facility to support increased development activities associated with its advanced thin film solar module manufacturing technology.

First Solar expects to complete plant construction by the first half of 2009, with full volume production expected by the second quarter of 2010.

Bruce Sohn, president of First Solar, said: “First Solar is excited to move forward with this expansion. Our growing capacity allows us to continue reducing the cost of solar electricity to a level competitive with conventional sources.”