First Solar, Microsoft Team-Up to Power Arizona Datacenters with Cleaner Solar
July 30 2019 - 4:30PM
US-headquartered First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced
that its Sun Streams 2 photovoltaic (PV) solar plant will power new
energy-efficient datacenters being built by Microsoft Corp. in
Goodyear and El Mirage, Arizona. The 150-megawatt (MW)AC facility,
is being developed and constructed by First Solar in Maricopa
County and will power the data centers under a 20-year agreement.
The power plant will use First Solar’s proprietary Series 6
module technology which has a carbon footprint that is up to six
times lower than conventionally-manufactured crystalline silicon PV
panels, giving it a superior environmental profile and allowing Sun
Streams 2 to deliver cleaner solar electricity. First Solar, which
is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, is expanding its manufacturing
capacity to meet the demand for Series 6 modules, with its second
facility in the United States - representing nearly $1 billion in
cumulative investment - expected to start production in early-2020.
Once the Perrysburg, Ohio facility is operational, First Solar will
be the western hemisphere’s, and America’s, largest solar module
manufacturer.
“First Solar’s high-tech factories, which are some of the most
sophisticated and sustainable facilities of their type in the
world, are enabled by Microsoft technologies and the Microsoft
Azure cloud platform, including Azure IoT Hub and SQL Data
Warehouse. The Series 6 modules produced by these factories will
power Sun Streams 2, which, in turn, will be used to deliver
renewable energy to our world-class datacenters in Arizona,” said
Brian Janous, General Manager of Energy and Sustainability at
Microsoft. “This is an example of how Microsoft is able to
accelerate clean energy and create symbiotic value, not only in our
operations but beyond.”
Once operational in 2021, the Sun Streams 2 project will
displace 190,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, which is equivalent
to taking 37,000 cars off the road every year and saving 356
million liters of water annually based on Arizona averages. The air
quality benefits of the project will amount to more than $12.5
million in avoided healthcare costs annually.
“As the global leader in corporate solar, we’re delighted to
support Microsoft’s decarbonization commitments,” said Karl
Brutsaert, Senior Director of Corporate Renewables at First Solar.
“Microsoft operates one of the largest and most innovative cloud
infrastructures in the world, so it is only fitting that its latest
datacenters are powered by cleaner solar electricity generated by
some of the most eco-efficient and innovative solar technology
available today.”
Sun Streams 2 is expected to begin construction in late-2019 and
will provide up to 500 construction jobs. Aligned with Arizona’s
renewable energy policy, the project will contribute significant
economic benefits to Maricopa County, including increased tax
revenues to support local schools.
“As an Arizona-based company and an American solar manufacturer,
we’re thrilled to be powering these datacenters, which will be
important drivers of local investment and economic growth,” said
Kathryn Arbeit, Vice President of Project Development for First
Solar. “This collaboration with Microsoft demonstrates just how
large-scale solar can unlock value for local communities that
benefit not only from the generation of jobs but also from the tax
revenues for the county.”
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive
photovoltaic (PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and
system technology. The Company’s integrated power plant solutions
deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel
electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through
end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s renewable energy
systems protect and enhance the environment. For more information
about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.
For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made
pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the
development, construction, and operation of a 150 MWac solar
system. These forward-looking statements are often characterized by
the use of words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“project,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “forecast,”
“foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,”
“will,” “could,” “predict,” “continue” and the negative or plural
of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking
statements are only predictions based on our current expectations
and our projections about future events and therefore speak only as
of the date of this release. You should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to
update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason,
whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise. These forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our
actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the
matters discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and
Results of Operations” of our most recent Annual Report on Form
10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as
supplemented by our other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Contacts
First Solar Media Reuven Proença +971 (0)4 4559 410
reuven.proenca@firstsolar.com
First Solar Investor Relationsinvestor@firstsolar.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a1ba2ca-bac6-4e36-abcb-e44a2d4f0ba2
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