First Solar conducted an EPC Training Meet in India on 30 and 31 July 2026 in Karnataka. The event brought together founders, project managers, design engineers, and installation professionals from leading EPC companies across Karnataka and Maharashtra. These professionals are focused on PM KUSUM-C projects, where First Solar’s thin-film modules are being extensively used.
The two-day programme was designed as part of the company’s capacity-building initiative across the distributed renewable energy (RE) segment, especially PM KUSUM-C, where most asset owners and the installer ecosystem are relatively new to solar PV. The program comprised product and technology sessions, line-walk and reliability laboratory visits, engineering discussions, technical demonstrations, and hands-on training for field installation of PV modules.
Founded in 1999, First Solar’s differentiated thin-film PV technology is unique in its manufacturing process and represents the only PV technology decoupled from the China value chain. With a 25GW global manufacturing footprint, the company holds a leading market share in the US and has consistently demonstrated higher lifetime energy production in hot and humid climates.
First Solar’s India operations, established in 2011, expanded in 2023 with the country’s first vertically integrated thin-film PV manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, backed by a capital outlay of Rs 5,700 crores. The facility employs over 1000 personnel and houses India’s first end-of-life recycling facility for solar PV modules.
Manufacturing and Reliability Take Centre Stage
A key highlight of the programme was the manufacturing line walk and reliability laboratory visit. Participants gained first-hand insights into First Solar’s automated manufacturing processes, quality controls, and product reliability practices.
The reliability laboratory session provided an overview of product qualification, continuous quality monitoring, and testing procedures used to maintain consistent product performance. First Solar’s approach includes regular sampling and testing across its production lines as part of its ongoing reliability assurance programme.
Sustainability was another important focus. First Solar established its module recycling programme in 2005 and continues to invest in recycling capabilities as part of its lifecycle approach to solar manufacturing. Its recycling technology is designed to recover more than 90% of semiconductor and glass material by mass.
Focus on Engineering and Installation
The second day focused on practical engineering and installation best practices relevant to EPC execution. Sessions covered DC Balance of System (BoS) considerations, PVsyst modelling, energy-yield optimization, and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) comparisons.
Participants also explored DC cable harness design and mounting structure requirements, including wind-load considerations for utility-scale projects. Dedicated sessions on packaging, unloading, transportation, module handling, and installation addressed practical challenges encountered during project execution.
The programme concluded with live demonstrations and hands-on exercises conducted under the guidance of First Solar’s engineering team, enabling participants to apply the concepts covered during the technical sessions.
The training also highlighted the role of technology diversity in India’s solar market. First Solar’s CdTe thin-film technology provides an alternative to conventional crystalline silicon, with the company highlighting advantages related to lifetime energy production, energy yield, and carbon footprint.
The inaugural Meet concluded with an interactive session between participants and First Solar’s technical experts, providing an opportunity to exchange feedback, address practical questions, and discuss future collaboration.
“As India’s solar industry continues to expand, especially in the distributed RE segment, initiatives focused on capacity building can play an important role in improving project execution and installation quality. Through its inaugural EPC Training Meet, First Solar reinforced its commitment to supporting India’s solar ecosystem through technology, technical knowledge, sustainable manufacturing, and closer engagement with EPC partners.” – Alka Chauhan, Marketing Leader India, First Solar.
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