Vitro Expands Contract with First Solar to Provide Glass Front Sheets for Solar Panels

Date: 24 October 2023
Source: Vitro
Vitro Expands Contract with First Solar to Provide Glass Front Sheets for Solar Panels
Photo source
First Solar Inc.

Date: 24 October 2023

This contract significantly boosts Vitro's presence in the photovoltaic glass segment.
  • The contract expansion is expected to generate, approximately, additional sales of $1.3 billion dollars on top of the initial 1.2 billion-dollar contract over the next 10 years.
  • The company will increase its investment to approximately $180 million in adapting its current facilities.
  • This contract significantly boosts Vitro's presence in the photovoltaic glass segment, which is expected to experience significant growth due to the Nearshoring effect in the United States.
  • Start of Production for this incremental volume is set for the first quarter of 2026.

Vitro S.A.B. de C.V., a leading glass manufacturer in North America, announced today through its architectural glass business the expansion of its contract with the largest vertically integrated solar manufacturer in the Americas, First Solar, which was announced last April. This expansion aims to provide the glass front sheets used in advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels manufactured by First Solar.

Aligned with the Company's international expansion plans, this operation represents approximately $1.3 billion dollars in sales over the next 10 years, in addition to the sales covered by the initial contract, estimated at a similar amount.

"We are very excited and grateful for the trust placed in us by First Solar, as it aligns with our goal of capitalizing on growth opportunities in the North American Trade Region based on our technological strength and collaboration with our customers. This agreement will allow us to participate in and develop the renewable energy sector in America," said Vitro CEO Adrian Sada.

Considering the requirements of this expansion, Vitro will invest an estimated $180 million to upgrade one of the furnaces at the Meadville plant, located in Pennsylvania, as well in adapting additional existing facilities, to support First Solar's growing manufacturing capacity in the United States.

“As we continue to grow our domestic manufacturing footprint it is essential that our domestic value chain scales with us,” said Mike Koralewski, chief supply chain officer, First Solar. “We are pleased to expand our contract with Vitro, which gives us access to a new source of American-made glass for the front sheets in our solar panels and supports our efforts to build resilience into our US supply chains.”

"We take great pride in having earned this vote of confidence from First Solar. We are confident that our experience, technological capabilities, and innovative product development will contribute to their efforts to increase clean and renewable energy capacity in the United States and more broadly in North America," stated Ricardo Maiz, President of Vitro Architectural business unit.

Vitro's plants are strategically located to meet First Solar's needs and already have the required raw materials for production. Production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026.

600450 Vitro Expands Contract with First Solar to Provide Glass Front Sheets for Solar Panels glassonweb.com

Others also read

The recently renovated Hugel Welcome Center in Markle Hall on the Lafayette College campus offers a bright and warm reception to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
Vitro Architectural Glass celebrated the Pittsburgh Glass Center's renovation with a hot glass ribbon cutting, alongside officials, partners, and community members.
Şişecam, the only global company active in all core glass segments, showcased its products at the RE+ Solar Energy Trade Show in Anaheim, California.
VACUMAX™ VIG has been awarded a 2024 Best of Products award from The Architect's Newspaper.
Vitro Architectural Glass has announced the promotion of commercial account manager Daniel Plotnick to Manager of International Sales.
TurkishGlass is excited to announce its debut at RE+, the largest clean energy event in North America which will take place in Anaheim from September 9-12.

Add new comment

From industry

İçmeler Mah. D-100 Karayolu Cad. No:44A,
34947 Tuzla,/İstanbul
Turkey