Proven Expertise Across the Entire Value Chain
First Solar designs, builds and operates the world's most sophisticated utility-scale solar power plants. Our proven success is powered by industry-leading project development, award-winning project finance, groundbreaking construction techniques, real-time operations and maintenance, and cutting-edge grid integration and plant control systems.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)
First Solar’s award-winning EPC team is currently constructing the world’s largest PV power plants. Our proven expertise continues to deliver power solutions on time and on budget, consistently exceeding guaranteed energy performance.
First Solar’s EPC capabilities include:
- 2.7GW AC pipeline of PV power plants (as of Q4 2011)
- Optimized site-specific designs with customizable solutions
- Procurement advantages through established industry relationships
- Industry-leading safety record and award-winning safety management team
- Proven track record of delivering projects on time and on budget
- One point of contact for monitoring project construction and commissioning
- Unmatched site installation velocity reaching over 5MW (DC) per day
- Energy output consistently above contractual performance guarantees
Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
First Solar’s global O&M team is successfully operating the world’s largest utility-scale PV power plants using three basic principles: ensuring the safety of our associates and communities, operating our customer’s facilities in strict compliance with their environmental and regulatory requirements, and maximizing each facility’s energy yield.
The most respected utilities and independent power producers in North America trust their solar PV plants to First Solar.
- Experts in all aspects Solar PV operation and maintenance including:
- Dedicated Operations and Maintenance Management team
- Plant maintenance technicians
- Parts & Logistics team
- Performance Engineering group
- Inverters and electrical equipment in-house engineers
- World class safety, environmental, operating, and maintenance training, programs and procedures
- State of the art Network Operations Center staffed with dedicated monitoring and performance engineering experts who provide real time analytics, transmission & energy off-taker communications and coordination, 24/7 site monitoring, and plant technician support
- Expertise and proprietary technology for maximum return on investment
- Proactive and reactive maintenance procedures have provided an historic fleet average 99% + up-time
- Energy and capacity forecasting and planning tools
- Best in class CMMS (Maximo) tools and staff for optimized scheduling, automated work orders failure analysis, reporting, and automated owner and technician plant alerts via email
- Best in class owner’s Web Portal – full visibility into plant performance and activities
- Full compliance with NERC, WECC, CAISO, NEC, EPA and state and local requirements