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 57 is higher than 100% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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First Solar's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, First Solar, headquartered in the US, reported significant carbon emissions across various scopes. The company’s total emissions included approximately 11,638,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, about 776,502,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2, and a substantial 3,660,151,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. This reflects a notable increase in emissions compared to 2022, where Scope 1 emissions were about 7,690,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions were approximately 563,652,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions were around 2,679,637,000 kg CO2e. First Solar has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2030 for both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Additionally, the company has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 34% by 2028 from a 2020 baseline. For Scope 3 emissions, First Solar targets a 45% reduction per megawatt produced within the same timeframe. Long-term goals include a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 and a 97% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, and fuel- and energy-related activities. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect First Solar's commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint while increasing manufacturing capacity. The company has previously surpassed its 2016 GHG intensity reduction goal and continues to drive down emissions intensity, aiming for a 93% reduction by 2028 from a 2008 baseline.
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| 2014 | 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 | - | - | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 320,302,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | 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 participating in some of the initiatives that 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.
