Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

Germany: First Solar to continue production until year end

First Solar Inc. has announced it will keep its manufacturing facilities in Germany’s Frankfurt (Oder) up and running until the end of the year, due to the short-term increase in demand. After this, the facilities will be permanently closed.

First Solar will continue production at its Franktfurt (Oder) facility until the end of the year.

Solarpraxis AG/Jonathan Gifford

A spokesperson for the U.S.-based thin film photovoltaic module manufacturer told pv magazine the worker’s council has been informed that production has been temporarily ramped up. They added that production at its first plant (FF01) is already up and running, while work at the second plant (FF02) should get underway in the coming week.

The ramp up has been attributed to increased demand in the European photovoltaic market, which in the short term at least, is higher than previously expected. As such, the two plants in Frankfurt (Oder) are expected to run at almost full capacity until October.

The spokesperson further confirmed that for this period sufficient orders have been secured, in order to employ the 1,200 strong workforce. After this, First Solar will gradually wind down and close the plants at the end of the year.

Translated by Becky Beetz.