First Solar does some work in AZ, and specifically for the school system, through the Salt River Project.
Their name was mentioned for the AZ solar farm also.
GTs Merlin is a superior product for panels over FS and even MB because they haven't hit the peak of silver reduction and efficiency with their models....yet.
Polysilicon is huge...and most companies are striving for the pinnacle of efficiency and cost reduction at this point.
To answer your question...GT could supply the Merlin tech and polysilicon, but FS may be trying in on their own first in Malaysia. It is only a pilot program at this moment, but everyone has to start somewhere
I honestly think the First Solar thing sucks. I was hoping GTATs Hyperion was so top of the line Apple needed it. From what I am reading it doesn't sound like it.
Merlin requires a change to the process line used to make the active solar cell. Although it is not overly difficult it does require different equipment and some pilot plant activity to ring out the process. GT was working with a Chinese owned facility in Calif. to refine the process...I forget who that was.
The key technical benefit is the use of n type silicon to get the higher efficiency. There is some gain in the application of the collector and buss bars ...similar to Merlin...but that is not the primary factor.
GT has an N type Silicon process also but it is not yet commercialized I do not believe. The process to make N type cells is different than generally available P type cells so First Solar may be ahead of the pack in this regard.
Is this the end for GT?. There is increasing competition from others sapphire companies like Corning, its competitors on solar energy systems is signing big contracts, like First Solar, SunEdison...etc, Merlin and Hyperion hasn´t yet taken off.I Know...GT has the knowledge, PI, but the others companies can't rest on our laurels.
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
