First Solar Launches Pre-Engineered PV Plant Solution, Next Generation Module

First Solar, Inc. FSLR today announced the launch of its modular AC Power Block™ solar power plant solution and its next generation First Solar Series 4™ thin film photovoltaic (PV) module. The company will showcase these and other solutions at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany from 4 to 6 June 2014. Purpose-built for power plant owners and developers seeking to minimize project risk and maximize energy production and revenue, the AC Power Block is a configurable system solution that can be scaled to address a wide range of project conditions. The pre-engineered system is available in modular units ranging from 800 kilowatts (kW) to 3.8 megawatts (MW). Based on First Solar's proven PV plant design and energy prediction model, the AC Power Block is backed by an industry-leading first year energy performance guarantee and a 25-year capacity warranty. First Solar's new Series 4 PV module offers up to eight percent more energy than conventional crystalline silicon modules with the same power rating, and is compatible with advanced 1500-volt plant architectures. The Series 4A™ variant features a new anti-reflective coated glass, which enhances energy production. The module is backed by First Solar's 25-year Linear Performance Warranty. “What matters most to our customers is reliable energy output achieved through proven technology,” said Thomas Kuster, First Solar Senior Vice President of Product Management. “The AC Power Block and the Series 4 module are designed to deliver on those expectations. As solar energy secures its place in the global energy mix, these offerings demonstrate First Solar's ability to deliver solutions that address our customers' specific needs. We are confident that our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement position First Solar as a leading provider of comprehensive solar energy solutions.” “The underlying principle behind these new offerings and our existing power systems portfolio is an unwavering focus on a goal that we share with our customers in Europe and around the world: reliable generation of solar energy that is competitive within the framework of the region's energy generation portfolio,” said Christopher Burghardt, Vice President for Europe at First Solar. “Showcasing our industry-leading range of solutions at the region's premier solar energy exhibition underscores the market's importance to our growth strategy.” First Solar will also spotlight its Modules Plus System at Intersolar. This offering features fixed-tilt and single-axis tracker designs that are optimized for installation ease, project value, and operational reliability with First Solar's advanced thin film PV modules.