First Solar, Inc. and Ingenero Pty Ltd. announced a new collaboration arrangement to provide a joint offering to the commercial and off-grid solar markets. The partnership will combine Ingenero’s proven design, development and integration experience with First Solar’s advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module technology and demonstrated track record in utility-scale projects to better meet market requirements within Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Ingenero has an established footprint in the commercial and off-grid space having constructed Australia’s largest rooftop solar PV system at the University of Queensland in Brisbane and a number of ground-mounted solar PV systems in Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Pacific Islands. First Solar brings international experience in constructing utility-scale solar projects, including Australia’s first utility-scale solar farm, the Greenough River Solar Farm, and has established a strong local supply chain in Australia. The collaboration will combine the best of both company’s capabilities to increase the number of ground-mounted solar projects in Australia. First Solar and Ingenero will also jointly target diesel fuel replacement opportunities in Australia’s off-grid sector, reducing operating costs for mining companies and providing an alternative source of power generation for communities throughout regional Australia and the Pacific Islands.

First Solar’s Asia Pacific Vice President of Business Development and Sales, Jack Curtis, said the new partnership will leverage the synergies between the two businesses.

“In collaborating with Ingenero, Australia’s leading integrator in the small to medium scale solar sector, First Solar is better positioning itself to meet the needs of the commercial and off-grid solar markets in Australia and Asia Pacific,” said Mr Curtis. “First Solar’s primary focus has been utility-scale projects and we continue to be the world leader in this market segment. This collaboration will provide us with additional origination and execution diversity in medium-scale projects that will allow us to broaden our accessible demand pool across the region and meet the needs of customers that are looking to utilise our thin-film PV module technology in these types of applications,” he said.

The First Solar/Ingenero collaboration will provide bankable and economically viable solutions to existing and future customers through the delivery of high-quality service and components as well as innovative, fully-engineered solutions tailor-designed for each project.