India’s INOXAP Partners with First Solar to Fuel Eco-Efficient Solar Module Production
INOX Air Products, manufacturer of industrial and medical gases, has forged a groundbreaking 20-year agreement with First Solar, a prominent American solar technology company specializing in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions on a global scale. This landmark agreement encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, including the design, engineering, installation, and operation of a state-of-the-art Cryogenic Nitrogen Generator. This generator will be dedicated to providing high-purity Nitrogen essential for the operations of First Solar’s brand-new manufacturing facility situated in Pillaipakkam, Tamil Nadu.
INOXAP’s forthcoming Cryogenic Nitrogen Generator boasts an impressive capacity of 2400 Nm3/hour, positioning it to be the primary supplier of Nitrogen and other industrial gases required for First Solar’s manufacturing processes.
Siddharth Jain, the Managing Director of INOX Air Products, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this transformative contract, stating, “At INOX Air Products, our unwavering commitment lies in offering innovative solutions that facilitate the production of clean energy while contributing to the reduction of our carbon footprint. Our partnership with First Solar, a globally recognized provider of eco-efficient solar modules, marks an exciting chapter as they embark on their journey in India. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our pursuit of creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. We are eagerly anticipating our role in this transformative journey and are committed to supporting the nation’s sustainable development goals.”
Sujoy Ghosh, Vice President and Managing Director of First Solar in India, highlighted the significance of this partnership, emphasizing, “Our fully integrated manufacturing facility plays a pivotal role in supporting India’s aspirations for decarbonization and energy security. INOX Air Products, renowned for their proficiency in managing large-scale and intricate engineering projects, along with their impeccable track record in the safe and reliable delivery of industrial gases, emerged as a natural choice for this project.”
Anticipated for commissioning in the latter half of 2023, First Solar’s advanced facility will have an impressive annual nameplate capacity of 3.4 gigawatts (GWDC) dedicated to the production of high-efficiency solar modules.
First Solar has garnered recognition for its responsibly manufactured advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules, which set industry standards for quality, durability, reliability, design, and environmental performance. Notably, First Solar’s solar modules boast the lowest carbon and water footprint among commercially available PV modules today. They have also achieved the distinction of being the first PV manufacturer to have its product included in the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) global registry for sustainable electronics. This partnership between INOX Air Products and First Solar holds immense promise in the pursuit of sustainable and eco-efficient energy solutions, setting a noteworthy precedent in India’s renewable energy landscape.