First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) announced today that it has joined the Desertec Industrial Initiative as an Associated Partner.
First Solar is the first pure photovoltaic (PV) company to join the European led initiative.
Desertec wants to develop renewable energy production in the desert regions of Northern Africa and the Middle East for both local use and for exportation to Europe. It aims at meeting 15% of Europe’s energy needs, and a substantial part of the demand in Northern Africa and the Middle East, via concentrated solar plants and wind power by 2050.
As an Associated Partner of Desertec for an initial period of three
years, First Solar will contribute utility-scale PV expertise in
Desertec working groups and prepare the ground for reference projects
and a roll-out plan.
Desertec’s founders include ABB, Abengoa Solar, Cevital, Deutsche Bank, EON, HSH Nordbank, Muenchener Rueca, M+W Zander, RWE, Schott Solar, Siemens and Solar Millennium/MSM.
First Solar has already built utility-scale solar power plants in desert conditions in the United States and United Arab Emirates and is preparing the way for a 2-gigawatt solar power plant in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia.
