Plummeting prices in the photovoltaic market have forced CdTe thin-film producer First Solar to undertake a "major review of its production capacity requirements", according to CEO Mark Widmar. A team has been set up to "look at the economic and competitive position of its Series 5 module" and examine where cost savings can be made. The company is also looking into whether it should build more modules or expand existing ones.
Plummeting prices in the photovoltaic market have forced CdTe thin-film producer First Solar to undertake a "major review of its production capacity requirements", according to CEO Mark Widmar. A team has been set up to "look at the economic and competitive position of its Series 5 module" and examine where cost savings can be made. Supply in China and Taiwan outstripping downstream demand, the 15% drop in crystalline silicon module prices, a 15% slump in demand in China and the 28% drop in the US average selling price have all combined to put pressure on First Solar.