First Solar Inc. (FSLR) and EDF Energies Nouvelles announced that they are in the final stages of exclusive negotiations with the town of Blanquefort, near the city of Bordeaux, to locate a new solar panel manufacturing plant.
The plant, co-financed by First Solar and EDF Energies Nouvelles , will be operated by First Solar and sell its entire production of innovative, thin-film photovoltaic panels to EDF EN for its first 10 years of operation. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2010 and a full production capacity of more than 100 megawatts a year is to be reached in early 2012.
The plant is expected to create up to 400 jobs in the region of Aquitaine and represent a total investment of approximately €100 million or $150 million. First Solar and EDF EN expect to finalize all remaining agreements in the coming weeks.
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