First Solar’s New CEO Details Plan to Challenge Chinese Rivals
- Biggest U.S. manufacturer may reopen factory to speed delivery
- Widmar says First Solar has cost advantage over China
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First Solar Inc. may reopen a factory to speed up delivery of photovoltaic panels that could be a disruptive weapon against Chinese competition, the company’s new chief executive officer said in his first media interview.
Mark Widmar, who took over in July after five years as chief financial officer, said he’s focused on squeezing costs out of the manufacturing process instead of expanding factories. That’s a contrast with rivals led by JinkoSolar Holding Co. and Trina Solar Ltd., which are driving an 18 percent increase in global solar production this year.