Silicon Ranch has procured an additional 1.5 GW of American-made solar modules from First Solar, increasing a master supply agreement between the two companies to more than 6 GW over the next four years.
Silicon Ranch previously announced two transactions with First Solar for 4 GW and 700 MW in 2022 for delivery through 2025. The latest expansion will serve Silicon Ranch projects in 2026 and 2027, the company said.
First Solar’s thin-film Series 6 Plus modules were designed and developed at the company’s research and development facilities in California and Ohio, and in the United States are manufactured in Ohio.
First Solar is a leader in domestically-manufactured, lower-carbon solar modules. Last November, the company announced its plan to build a $1.1 billion, 3.5 GWdc factory in Alabama, its fourth U.S. solar module manufacturing facility.
Silicon Ranch co-founder and CEO Reagan Farr said the supply agreement highlights the utility-scale solar developer’s desire to “further strengthen the domestic solar supply chain and to bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S.”
GO DEEPER: Nextracker founder and CEO Dan Shugar discusses why he bet big on ‘Made in America’ solar on Episode 7 of the Factor This! podcast. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
In May 2022, Silicon Ranch announced a master supply agreement to deliver 1.5 GW of Nextracker’s solar tracker technology to Silicon Ranch projects through 2024, with options to expand as Silicon Ranch’s portfolio grows.
The MSA includes a shared commitment by both companies to increase domestic supply and promote lower-carbon production processes. The emphasis on securing American-made product—using US steel supply—enables Silicon Ranch to support US manufacturing and job creation, improve the carbon footprint of its supply chain, and reduce volatility and logistics risks.
