Company continues push toward utility-scale developments in emerging markets.
First Solar Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of thin-film solar modules, said Feb. 23 it has completed construction of its largest power plant in Southeast Asia.
The 7.5-megawatt plant is located in northeastern Thailand on a solar farm in the nation’s Khorat region.
Netherlands-based Sonnedix Group constructed the plant with the support of Spain’s Assyce Fotovoltaica and Thailand’s Ch. Karnchang Group.
In December, First Solar announced it would transition away from government-subsidized markets and focus production on large utility-scale systems as part of a three-year strategic plan.
The company is in the process of prioritizing geographic markets as part of the three-year plan, which it expects to finalize early this year.
The solar farm in Thailand can supply enough electricity to meet the annual needs of about 5,100 average Thai homes, First Solar said.
It’s expected to generate more than 10,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year.
For Sonnedix, the project is part of the company’s strategy to develop and build utility-size solar farms and rooftop power plants, said Sonnedix Chairman Franck Constant.
“It is our view that solar PV should be a mainstream power source in Thailand,” Constant said.
