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First Solar transitioning to 3rd-party execution model

First Solar Inc. announced Sept. 19 it is transitioning away from its internal engineering, procurement and construction execution model in the U.S. to third-party execution model.

"We expect that this shift will allow us to concentrate on our core business of scaling, developing, and selling our world-class module technology while executing on our project development pipeline with the same level of service that our customers have come to expect," First Solar CEO Mark Widmar said in a statement.

First Solar is working on the expansion of its manufacturing capacity for series 6 modules. The company's second facility in the U.S. worth $1 billion is expected to begin production in early 2020. The new facility, located in Perrysburg, Ohio, will boost the company's total series 6 manufacturing capacity to 5.4 GW yearly.

"While self-performed EPC was necessary to optimize our earlier generation modules, the seamless compatibility of Series 6 with industry systems and processes now allows us to leverage a much broader external ecosystem of knowledge and expertise," Widmar said.

The transition is expected to occur through the remaining months of 2019 and will not affect any projects that are under construction or expected for delivery this year, the company said. About 100 associates of First Solar will be separated from the company and will be provided with compensatory and outplacement support.