First Solar to Buy Skytron to Boost Europe Plant Monitors

First Solar Inc. (FSLR), the largest U.S. solar-panel manufacturer, agreed to buy Skytron Energy from AEG Power Solutions GmbH to gain access to European photovoltaic power-plant control systems and expertise.

Skytron operates 600 solar power plants across Europe that generate about 5,000 megawatts of power, more than double the amount that First Solar currently manages, the Tempe, Arizona-based company said today in a statement. Terms weren’t disclosed.