First Solar, a US-based business that is establishing its first Indian manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, has begun production.

“We have commenced production and expect to start sales, after getting BIS certification, in November 2023,” the company’s Vice-President and Country Managing Director, Sujoy Ghosh, told Business Line.

Supported by an allocation of ₹1,170 crore from Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI-2) scheme, First Solar is investing $ 684 million in the 3.5 GW plant that will produce ‘thin film’ modules.

In December 2021, the company had secured a $500 m funding commitment from the US International Development Finance Corporation. Incidentally, the US IDFC announced a funding commitment of $425 m to Tata Power Solar’s upcoming cell and module plant, also in Tamil Nadu.