US-based First Solar has inaugurated its new facility in Tamil Nadu, marking India’s first fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant. The facility has been built at an investment of around USD 700 million, including USD 500 million in DFC financing.

The inaugural ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Promotions and Commerce of the Government of Tamil Nadu, alongside Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, and Scott Nathan, CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

The facility, situated on six acres with an annual capacity of 3.3 GW, directly employs around 1,000 people. It produces First Solar’s Series 7 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, developed in the US and optimised for the Indian market.

The new unit, located in an area of high baseline water stress, is considered the world’s first net-zero water withdrawal solar manufacturing facility, relying entirely on treated reverse osmosis water from the city's sewage treatment plant (STP).

The Series 7 module produced by the facility is recognized for its eco-efficiency, with a significantly lower carbon and water footprint.  The sustainable manufacturing approach used by First Solar consumes 50 percent less energy.