19/01/2015 19:44 AST
First Solar, a leading provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, has achieved 10 gigawatts (GW) of PV solar capacity installed globally, making it the first thin film PV module manufacturer in the world to achieve this milestone.
This was revealed at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, where First Solar is showcasing a comprehensive range of solar energy solutions, said a statement.
With enough modules installed worldwide to circle the planet three-and-a-half times, First Solar's 10GW of installed capacity produces an estimated 14,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) a year, said a statement.
This is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of Bahrain or Washington DC, US. It is also sufficient to power five million average households and displaces the need for as many as 20 average coal-powered plants, it said.
James Hughes, chief executive officer, First Solar, said: "This is much more than just a celebration of First Solar's track record, and the trust that our customers have placed in our technology. This milestone is a clear indication that solar is no longer a subsidy-driven extra; it has evolved into a valued component of the global generation portfolio, able to hold its own in terms of cost competitiveness and energy yield.
"Thanks to our commitment to continuous improvement, we have been able to contribute towards the global transition to renewables by offering our customers solutions to their, very specific, energy challenges."
With the smallest carbon footprint of all solar technologies, First Solar's installed capacity displaces an estimated seven million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, or the equivalent of planting 180 million trees.
Additionally, with the lowest water use on a lifecycle basis, the use of First Solar's advanced thin film modules helps displace an estimated 18 billion litres of water per year; sufficient to fill 7,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
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