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 57 is higher than 92% 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 4,000,000 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 represents a significant 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 across all scopes by 2050. Near-term targets include a 34% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2028 from a 2020 baseline, and a 45% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services per megawatt produced within the same timeframe. Additionally, the company aims to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% by 2050 and Scope 3 emissions by 97% per megawatt produced. First Solar's commitment to sustainability is further underscored by its participation in initiatives such as RE100, pledging to power its global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2028. The company has previously achieved a 35% reduction in GHG intensity by 2016 from a 2008 baseline and has set a new target to reduce GHG emissions intensity by 93% by 2028. Overall, First Solar's emissions data and climate commitments reflect a proactive approach to addressing climate change, aligning with industry standards and expectations for sustainability.
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 | 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 |
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.