U.S. thin film giant First Solar today (Monday) announced the launch of its energy capacity assessment tool, a first for the solar energy industry, at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES).
The company will showcase the application and its comprehensive range of solar energy solutions at the Summit, in Abu Dhabi, from today until Thursday.
"The Middle East is fast evolving into a sophisticated market for solar energy, driven by long-term diversification and energy security strategies," said the company in a statement. "It is in this context that we've focused our efforts on building on our track record and optimizing energy output for the region's unique environmental conditions."
The interactive assessment tool allows developers and investors to evaluate the feasibility and energy output of ground-mounted utility-scale projects, using First Solar's advanced thin film technology, anywhere in the world.
Users will be able to plot potential sites on a mapping interface; design a plant, while adjusting configurations to maximize energy output; and generate a report that includes site-specific estimated capacity and energy yield, while factoring in irradiation levels, average temperatures, project construction timing and more.
The application can be accessed online at www.firstsolar.com/energy capacity.
First Solar will also showcase its next generation First Solar Series 4 thin film module and AC Power Block solar power plant solution at WFES.
First Solar's new Series 4 module offers up to eight per cent more energy than conventional crystalline silicon modules with the same power rating, and is compatible with advanced 1,500 V plant architectures.
The AC Power Block is a configurable, pre-engineered system that is based on First Solar's proven PV plant design and energy prediction model, and is available in modular units ranging from 800 kW to 3.8 MW.
Additionally, First Solar will spotlight its Module Plus System, featuring optimized fixed-tilt and single-axis tracker designs, and its comprehensive range of operations and maintenance services.
Skytron energy, a global leader in integrated monitoring, control and supervision systems acquired by First Solar last year, will also make its WFES debut, with its PVGuard® SCADA platform.
"As the energy transition ratifies solar power's role in the global generation portfolio, there has never been a greater emphasis on maximizing energy yield in real-world conditions," said Joseph Kishkill, chief commercial officer for First Solar. "Our mission, reflected in the range of solutions on show at the World Future Energy Summit, is to respond to our customers' energy yield priorities with singular solutions designed to address specific challenges."
"The Middle East is fast evolving into a sophisticated market for solar energy, driven by long-term diversification and energy security strategies. It is in this context that we've focused our efforts on building on our track record and optimizing energy output for the region's unique environmental conditions," said Ahmed S. Nada, vice president for the Middle East at First Solar. "Showcasing our industry-leading range of solutions at the region's premier sustainable energy exhibition underscores the market's importance to our growth strategy."
First Solar today announced it has passed the 10 GW installed capacity milkestone around the world and has a contracted pipeline of projects that exceeds 2.6 GW.
Significantly, it has been selected as a finalist in the 2015 edition of the prestigious Zayed Future Energy Prize.
In the Middle East, the company has built the 13 MW first phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, the Middle East and North Africa region's largest facility, and will be constructing the 52.5 MW Shams Ma'an solar plant in Jordan.
First Solar will be located in hall 07, booth number 7420, at the World Future Energy Summit. The summit takes place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015.
