First Solar
First Solar, Inc., a leading player in the solar energy sector, is headquartered in the United States, with significant operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1999, the company has established itself as a pioneer in photovoltaic (PV) solar technology, focusing on the design and manufacturing of thin-film solar modules. First Solar's unique cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology sets it apart, offering high efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells. The company has achieved notable milestones, including being one of the largest solar manufacturers globally and a key contributor to utility-scale solar projects. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, First Solar continues to strengthen its market position, driving the transition to renewable energy solutions.
DitchCarbon Score
How does First Solar's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Solar Thermal Electricity industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
First Solar's score of 58 is higher than 100% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
First Solar's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, First Solar reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 4,000,000 kg CO2e, comprising 7,690,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 776,502,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 3,660,151,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This reflects the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability and climate action. First Solar has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint. The company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050. In the near term, First Solar has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 34% by 2028, using 2020 as the baseline year. Additionally, it plans to cut Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 45% per megawatt produced within the same timeframe. Long-term goals include a significant reduction of 90% in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, alongside a 97% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, and fuel- and energy-related activities per megawatt produced. These commitments align with industry standards and reflect First Solar's dedication to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices within the solar energy sector.
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Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 10,593,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 320,302,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Industry emissions intensity
Location emissions intensity
Reduction initiatives & disclosure networks
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
First Solar is committed to some reduction initiatives we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.
