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.
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.
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.
First Solar's score of 52 is higher than 97% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, First Solar reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 3,660,151,000 kg CO2e, with no emissions from Scope 1 and 7,779,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2. The majority of their emissions, about 3,660,151,000 kg CO2e, were attributed to Scope 3, specifically from purchased goods and services. This represents a significant increase in Scope 3 emissions compared to 2022, where they reported approximately 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. They also plan to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 34% by 2028 from a 2020 baseline. Furthermore, they are targeting a 45% reduction in Scope 3 emissions per megawatt produced within the same timeframe. Long-term goals include a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 97% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2050, relative to the 2020 baseline. These commitments align with industry standards for climate action, demonstrating First Solar's dedication to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint while continuing to expand their manufacturing capabilities.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
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 | 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 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
Scope 3 | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
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.