News Article
First Solar CdTe modules to spice up Northern Chile
Solar Chile has teamed up with the cadmium telluride solar panel maker to transform Chile into the first country in Latin America to generate solar energy at competitive prices.
Solar Chile, a subsidiary of Fundación Chile, and First Solar, a provider of photovoltaic (PV) system solutions have formed a strategic alliance to co-develop solar projects in Chile.
First Solar will provide its CdTe PV modules and engineering and procurement services to future development projects, subject to execution of definitive project agreements.
"Solar Chile is pleased to work with First Solar, leveraging their cost-effective PV modules and extensive experience in the development of industrial-scale projects," said Cristián Sjögren, CEO of Solar Chile. "Together we will transform Chile into the first country in Latin America to generate solar energy at competitive prices."
The signing of the strategic alliance was held on 12 October at the auditorium of Fundación Chile, in Vitacura. Kathleen Weiss, Vice President of Federal Government and Corporate Affairs for First Solar and Kim Oster, Director of Business Development, Latin America for First Solar, presented developments on solar technologies rapidly declining costs and provide a global perspective on the development of a sustainable solar industry in Chile.
With strong growth projections, significant energy demand and abundant solar resource, Chile represents a tremendous opportunity to generate clean, renewable solar electricity cost effectively," said Kim Oster, Director of Business Development, Latin America for First Solar. "We are delighted to collaborate with Solar Chile and Fundación Chile to accelerate the adoption of PV technology and meet the growing demand for clean, renewable solar energy."
Northern Chile has a solar resource that is among the most abundant in the world, and Fundación Chile has been exploring its potential by implementing measurement services and pilot projects and by working in conjunction with the regional government on initiatives such as the Atacama Solar Platform, which has the goal to convert the plentiful solar resource in the Atacama Desert into a source of competitive and sustainable energy.
Fundación Chile supports this and several other initiatives, including Solar Chile, related to developing the solar cluster, an industry ecosystem that will bring together technology and service companies, promote research and development, and support human capital development related to the broader solar energy sector.
