Guided Path Solar forms distribution partnership with First Solar
Guided Path Solar has entered a distribution partnership with First Solar Inc. to serve the U.S. distributed generation (DG) market. Under the agreement, First Solar will provide high-performance photovoltaic (PV) modules designed and innovated in the United States. The partnership marks a major step forward in Guided Path Solar’s mission to boost sustainability, responsible solar development, and efficiency in the solar industry.
Founded in 1999, First Solar is the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere and the only U.S.-headquartered company among the world’s largest solar manufacturers. The company’s solar technology has been deployed in more than 45 countries around the world and is now available for U.S. DG projects through Guided Path Solar.
“Guided Path Solar is driven by a desire for a more sustainable and responsible solar industry, making this partnership one with shared core values,” said Dr. Mounir El Asmar, First Solar’s head of IPPs and strategic accounts. “We are looking forward to working with Guided Path Solar to expand the U.S. DG market’s access to our advanced thin-film PV technology.”
Guided Path Solar is offering First Solar’s bestselling Series 6, Series 6 Plus, and Series 7 modules to its customer base for projects of all types and sizes. Designed and innovated at First Solar’s state-of-the-art R&D centers in California and Ohio, and with the input of leading EPCs, structure and component providers, First Solar Series 6 and Series 7 technology provides unmatched value and innovation, offering competitive balance of systems (BOS) costs and superior lifetime energy for community solar projects, carports, C&I solutions, schools, and municipal and military applications.
Some key differentiators for the DG market include:
- First Solar’s thin-film modules are not subject to current U.S. import tariffs that apply to many imported crystalline-silicon (c-Si) modules. Availability exists for modules containing up to 100% domestic content, qualifying projects for the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) domestic content bonus.
- From manufacturing to operation to end-of-life recycling, First Solar modules offer the best environmental profile available. Series 6 and Series 7 modules boast the lowest carbon footprint, water footprint, and energy payback time in the industry.
- Series 6 and Series 7 technology combines First Solar’s thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology with a larger form factor to deliver improved efficiency, enhanced installation velocity, and unmatched lifetime energy performance. The technology is compatible with over 50 BOS providers and works with all inverter types.
- First Solar is expected to reach over 14 GW of annual nameplate vertically integrated nameplate manufacturing capacity across the United States by 2026. In addition to its domestic manufacturing footprint, First Solar operates what is believed to be one of the country’s most extensive domestic solar supply chains.
“We are thrilled to partner with First Solar, a company that aligns with our values, and shares our dedication to efficiency and sustainability,” said Hollis Miles, CEO of Guided Path Solar. “This collaboration allows us to offer our customers cutting-edge, high-quality, solar solutions that exceed industry standards. Together, we are paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future.”
Based in Austin, Texas, Guided Path Solar is a leading distributor in the solar energy sector. The company’s extensive experience and strategic planning ensure they are well-prepared to meet the growing demands of the solar market. With new capital investments, they are currently expanding their stock to provide additional product offerings, solidifying their position as a reliable and forward-thinking distributor in the solar industry.
