Renewable energy developer Swift Current Energy is suing First Solar in New York state court, alleging the manufacturer knowingly supplied defective solar modules for major U.S. projects. The complaint was filed in September 2026 and reported on October 19. Swift Current says it paid more than $360 million for the modules.
The lawsuit alleges that First Solar knew of two manufacturing errors that reduced power output but concealed them until October 2024. Swift Current says an internal report commissioned by First Solar found an average power loss of about 8% in tested modules.
The complaint alleges that all 2.4 million Series 6 Plus and Series 7 modules Swift Current received failed to meet promised power output metrics. It also claims manufacturing defects and deceptive testing methods inflated the modules’ power ratings. The alleged underperformance affected projects including the 800 MW Double Black Diamond installation in Illinois.