Public power supplier The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has secured 279MW (dc) of thin film solar panels from First Solar for a solar project in Alabama.
The Lawrence County Solar Project is expected to commence commercial operation in 2027.
The project reflects TVA’s growing emphasis on solar in the region, which, by 2025, is also expected to become the home of one of the largest photovoltaic modules in the United States, when Arizona-headquartered First Solar commissions its fourth American factory.
“TVA remains committed to investing in the energy system of the future for the benefit of the people of the Tennessee Valley that we serve and are pleased to work with First Solar,” said Roger Waldrep, vice president, TVA Major Projects.
He added: “Through our work with First Solar, TVA will continue to integrate more renewable generation into our overall portfolio with solar technology developed and manufactured in America.”
First Solar is investing approximately $1.3bn in expanding its US manufacturing footprint from over 6.5GW (dc) of annual nameplate capacity, to approximately 10.9GW (dc) by 2026.
In addition to the $1.1bn being invested in the new 3.5GW (dc) Lawrence County facility, the company has also embarked on a $185m expansion of its existing manufacturing footprint in Ohio.
First Solar also announced an investment of up to $370m for a dedicated research and development (R&D) innovation centre in Perrysburg, Ohio, which is expected to be completed in 2024.