Lightsource bp orders 4 GW of advanced solar modules from First Solar

Lightsource bp has signed a contract with First Solar for the order of 4 GW of advanced thin film solar modules. Lightsource bp and First Solar are also committed to sustainability, with advanced recycling programs and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

Partagez:

Lightsource bp has signed a contract with First Solar for the order of 4 GW of advanced thin film solar modules. The modules will be delivered between 2026 and 2028 and will power Lightsource bp projects in the United States. This order follows another signed in 2021 for up to 4.3 GW. Lightsource bp is poised to become one of the world’s largest users of First Solar’s ultra-low carbon solar technology.

Lightsource bp is committed to circularity and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Lightsource bp is committed to recycling solar panels in all of its projects and using First Solar’s advanced recycling program to manage end-of-life modules. The solar module manufacturer is the first to have its product included in the EPEAT global register for sustainable electronics. Lightsource bp has also set scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. First Solar, on the other hand, has set Scope 1 and 2 GHG emission reduction targets.

First Solar Invests in U.S. Manufacturing

First Solar is expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity, with a third plant coming online in Ohio in the first half of 2023 and a fourth under construction in Alabama that is expected to come online by 2025. Both factories will produce the 7 module series ordered by Lightsource bp. The total cost of these First Solar investments in U.S. manufacturing is more than $4 billion. Annual manufacturing capacity is expected to reach 10.6 GW DC by 2026.

Thousands of Direct and Indirect U.S. Jobs Created by First Solar

First Solar estimates that its investments in Ohio and Alabama will add at least 850 new manufacturing jobs and more than 100 new R&D jobs, bringing its total direct U.S. employment to more than 3,000 people in four states by 2025. This makes the company one of the largest employers in the U.S. solar manufacturing sector.

Lightsource bp and First Solar Partner for Growth

Georges Antoun, First Solar’s chief commercial officer, said the new order from Lightsource bp is another significant commitment from the company and a reflection of its confidence in their technology. The relationship between the two companies is a partnership for growth, allowing each to grow through long-term price and supply commitments and state-of-the-art technology.

Générale du Solaire has inaugurated in Leutenheim, Bas-Rhin, a floating photovoltaic plant of approximately 20 MWc installed on a former gravel pit, marking the region's first large-scale project supported by successful local participatory funding.
Plenitude and Modine have signed an agreement to build a photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 1.585 MWp in Pocenia, designed to power thermal and refrigeration equipment at Modine’s Italian industrial site, without initial investment.
Namibia begins construction of its largest solar plant, Sores|Gaib, aiming to reduce dependence on energy imports by leveraging its solar potential, considered among the highest globally according to the World Bank.
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered mandatory deployment of solar systems on public building rooftops to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports amid a fragile economic backdrop.
The Energy Progress Report 2025 shows an improvement in global electricity access to 92%, but highlights that 666 million people remain without electricity, particularly due to insufficient international funding for rural areas.
Estimated at $384.4mn in 2025, the global photovoltaic panel recycling market is expected to grow annually by 7.4%, reaching $548mn in 2030, driven by the rapidly increasing number of installations reaching end-of-life.
Estimated at $613.57bn in 2025, the global photovoltaic market is expected to reach $968.32bn by 2030, driven by declining costs and growing demand from residential and utility sectors, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis published on June 26.
Sasol International Chemicals concludes a virtual contract with Akuo to supply half of the electrical needs for its Lake Charles industrial complex in the United States, via a solar plant scheduled for 2026.
Eurowind Energy initiates a €174.8mn investment to build a 220 MW solar park in Vișina, Romania, capable of supplying around 150,000 households annually.
CleanCapital expands its portfolio by acquiring solar and energy storage assets totaling 27 MW in California and Massachusetts from Pacifico Energy to meet growing demand in the United States.
BrightNight and Cordelio Power commission a major 300 megawatt solar project in Arizona, attracting significant investments from JPMorgan and Capital One, with estimated local economic benefits of $180mn.
Austria is launching an unprecedented 20% bonus on photovoltaic subsidies to promote equipment manufactured in Europe, with a total envelope of €20 million dedicated to solar installations and energy storage systems.
Chinese manufacturer Longi will invest alongside Pertamina NRE in a 1.6 GW site at Deltamas, aiming to strengthen the local photovoltaic chain and capture demand expected under Indonesia’s power plan.
OMV Petrom acquires 50% of the 400 MW Gabare photovoltaic project near Sofia, in partnership with Enery, in a deal valued at approximately €200 million including a potential energy storage solution.
Driven by strong solar adoption, the global SCADA systems market for renewable energy is expected to reach $3.56bn by 2030, with an estimated average annual growth rate of 12.7%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
RATP and Urbasolar officially inaugurated the Colombier photovoltaic power plant, the first large-scale solar installation operated by the Parisian public transport operator, set to produce 14 GWh of electricity per year.
Danish developer European Energy finalises financing deal exceeding €70m for constructing two Australian solar plants, totalling 137 megawatts of installed capacity on the local electricity market.
The African Development Bank financially supports Zambia with $26.5 million for the 32 MW Ilute solar project, structured to avoid reliance on sovereign guarantees.
Emeren Group Ltd announces a definitive merger agreement with Shurya Vitra Ltd, providing for the repurchase of shares at $0.20 each, aiming to transform the company into a private entity by the end of September 2025.
The global solar tracker market is expected to reach $29.31bn by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 26.2%, notably supported by large-scale photovoltaic projects and recent technological advances, a new study reports.