Solar firm First Solar has joined on the Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII), picking up where Siemens and Bosche left off. The company will join others like E.ON and RWE for an initial three-year period contributing utility scale PV knowledge, unique since the DII originally focused on solar thermal power.
First Solar began a major transformation in 2012, restructuring its operations in response to deteriorating market conditions in Europe. It decreased its workforce by 30%, approximately 2,000 people. The restructuring was expected to reduce its costs by $30-60 million in 2012 and $100-120 million going forward. Shortly thereafter, First Solar established a Thailand operating subsidiary, First Solar (Thailand) Ltd. Opening an office in Bangkok allowed the firm to expand its portfolio to include utility-scale solar PV power plants in the Asian market. In October, First Solar drove into India partnering with Kiran Energy Solar Power Pvt. Ltd. And Mahindra Solar One Pvt. Ltd. Under the agreement, First Solar would supply its advanced, thin-film solar modules for two solar PV power plants totalling 50 MW in Rajasthan state.
Executives began to change as well with Johan Cilliers coming onboard as the Regional Director of Business Development for Sub-Saharan Africa and Managing Director of its new South Africa operating subsidiary. In January, First Solar announced the appointment of Tim Rebhorn as Senior Vice President, Project Development. And most recently the company announced Ahmed Nada’s arrival as Vice President of Business Development for the Middle East.
These changes have resulted in a growing company despite the stagnant economic outlook predicted by some analysts. Christopher Burghardt, First Solar’s Vice President of Business Development for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said "Our extended dedication to DII as a shareholder emphasizes First Solar’s commitment to the MENA region, where we see tremendous potential to build a sustainable market for solar power. Dii is the ideal industrial initiative to bring power from the deserts into reality."
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