First Solar to build Vietnam manufacturing plant

First Solar Inc. will build two new manufacturing plants, including one in Vietnam.

Both the Vietnam plant and another one to be built in the United States are scheduled to be completed by 2012 and to create jobs for 600 people apiece. Together the plants, once fully operational, are expected to produce 500 megawatts' worth of thin-film photovoltaic modules annually, according to Arizona-based First Solar.

In addition to the increase in manufacturing employment, First Solar expects to generate over 1,000 construction jobs through the installation of solar power plants.

First Solar added that negotiations and site assessments are ongoing in both countries and will be finalized and announced at a later date.   

"These expansions provide proximity to growing U.S. demand while supporting our roadmap to drive down the cost of clean, sustainable solar electricity," said First Solar CEO Rob Gillette.   

The new plants announced on Oct 14, combined with these previously announced expansions, will nearly double production capacity from 1.4 GW in 2010 to more than 2.7 GW in 2012.