First Solar supplies 230MW of PV modules to the Silicon Ranch project

First Solar, a U.
S.
thin-film manufacturer and project developer, will supply 230MW of PV modules
to a subsidiary of project developer Silicon Ranch.
The module supply agreement will begin in the first quarter of 2017 and run through the first quarter
of 2018.

First Solar and Silicon Ranch will build on an existing supply partnership, with the thin-film manufacturer supplying 230MW of photovoltaic modules
to Silicon Ranch.
First Solar previously supplied 180MW of PV modules
to Silicon Ranch's five projects in the southeastern United States.

Under the supply agreement, Silicon Ranch will deploy First Solar Photovoltaic Balancing System (BoS) components such as single-axis tracking, mounting structures, and cable assemblies
.

The Silicon Ranch agreement signifies First Solar's return to module supply after shifting to focus on developing its own projects in 2012/13
.
First Solar is currently executing on a module capacity expansion plan, which will be achieved
through throughput and efficiency growth rather than new capacity facilities.

In a statement announcing the agreement, First Solar noted that its cadmium telluride thin-film modules are well suited for deployment in high temperature and humid environments
.
Silicon Ranch has set many project development records
in the southeastern United States.
First Solar claims that in this weather environment, PV plants using this module have an energy density of up to 10%, which is higher than those that deploy polycrystalline photovoltaic panels
.

First Solar previously supplied components
to Silicon Ranch's projects in Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.