黑料专区

Vitro Expands Contract with First Solar to Provide Glass Front Sheets for Solar Panels

Date: 24 October 2023
Source:
Vitro Expands Contract with First Solar to Provide Glass Front Sheets for Solar Panels
Photo source
First Solar Inc.

Date: 24 October 2023

This contract significantly boosts Vitro's presence in the photovoltaic glass segment.
  • The contract expansion is expected to generate, approximately, additional sales of $1.3 billion dollars on top of the initial 1.2 billion-dollar contract over the next 10 years.
  • The company will increase its investment to approximately $180 million in adapting its current facilities.
  • This contract significantly boosts Vitro's presence in the photovoltaic glass segment, which is expected to experience significant growth due to the Nearshoring effect in the United States.
  • Start of Production for this incremental volume is set for the first quarter of 2026.

Vitro S.A.B. de C.V., a leading glass manufacturer in North America, announced today through its architectural glass business the expansion of its contract with the largest vertically integrated solar manufacturer in the Americas, First Solar, which was announced last April. This expansion aims to provide the glass front sheets used in advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels manufactured by First Solar.

Aligned with the Company's international expansion plans, this operation represents approximately $1.3 billion dollars in sales over the next 10 years, in addition to the sales covered by the initial contract, estimated at a similar amount.

"We are very excited and grateful for the trust placed in us by First Solar, as it aligns with our goal of capitalizing on growth opportunities in the North American Trade Region based on our technological strength and collaboration with our customers. This agreement will allow us to participate in and develop the renewable energy sector in America," said Vitro CEO Adrian Sada.

Considering the requirements of this expansion, Vitro will invest an estimated $180 million to upgrade one of the furnaces at the Meadville plant, located in Pennsylvania, as well in adapting additional existing facilities, to support First Solar's growing manufacturing capacity in the United States.

鈥淎s we continue to grow our domestic manufacturing footprint it is essential that our domestic value chain scales with us,鈥 said Mike Koralewski, chief supply chain officer, First Solar. 鈥淲e are pleased to expand our contract with Vitro, which gives us access to a new source of American-made glass for the front sheets in our solar panels and supports our efforts to build resilience into our US supply chains.鈥

"We take great pride in having earned this vote of confidence from First Solar. We are confident that our experience, technological capabilities, and innovative product development will contribute to their efforts to increase clean and renewable energy capacity in the United States and more broadly in North America," stated Ricardo Maiz, President of Vitro Architectural business unit.

Vitro's plants are strategically located to meet First Solar's needs and already have the required raw materials for production. Production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026.

600450 Vitro Expands Contract with First Solar to Provide Glass Front Sheets for Solar Panels 黑料专区

Others also read

Vitro Architectural Glass, alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers, marked the unveiling of the team鈥檚 newly redesigned trophy room with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Vitro Architectural Glass, the largest glass manufacturer in North America, has announced the promotion of Shawn Winn to Western Regional Sales Manager.
Solarban庐 70 Glass by Vitro Architectural Glass was recently featured on America ByDesign, showcasing how high-performance glazing can enhance daylight, energy efficiency, and modern learning spaces.
Vitro Architectural Glass announced the launch of EcoArmor鈩 Protective Topcoat, an advanced full surface protective coating on select Solarban庐 solar control low-e glasses that safeguards throughout transit, storage and fabrication.
Vitro Architectural Glass is pleased to announce that BirdSmart庐 Bird Safe Glass has been named a winner in the 2026 Environment+Energy Leader Awards.
Roberto Cabrera, Vice President of Engineering and Technology at Vitro Architectural Glass, has been named as the Phoenix Award's Glass Person of the Year, becoming the 54th recipient of this prestigious honor.

Add new comment

From industry

NEWS RELATED PRODUCTS

Vitro Architectural Glass
Vitro Architectural Glass
Unelko Corporation
Glas Tr枚sch Holding AG