Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

Solarhybrid and First Solar in talks over Solar Millennium PV pipeline takeover

Solarhybrid AG and First Solar are in talks to form a joint venture, which would come into effect if solarhybrid’s plans to take over Solar Millennium’s U.S. photovoltaic pipeline work out.

First Solar could well supply the photovoltaic panels needed for the one GW Blythe project. Image: Solar Millennium.

At a press conference yesterday, solarhybrid CEO, Tom Schröder, said the company was in talks with the thin film manufacturer. If all goes to plan, First Solar would supply its photovoltaic modules to projects in Blythe, worth one gigawatt (GW) and Palen, worth 500 megawatts (MW).

With regards to the Solar Millennium pipeline takeover, Schröder said he expects negotiations, which began late this summer, to be finalized around the end of November. The company has an overall project pipeline worth 2.25 GW.

In August, it was announced that the first 500 MW phase of the one GW Blythe solar project will be converted to use photovoltaics instead of concentrated solar power (CSP). Construction on the project began back in June.

When asked at the time if the project, expected to be the largest of its kind when completed, will use photovoltaics or CSP in its remaining phase, a spokesperson told pv magazine, "This depends on the market conditions. CSP can be added if the market conditions change."

They added that, due to the fact the project has to be "partly re-permitted", grid connection delays - originally set for 2014 - are expected. However, they said that financing and construction should be realized faster.