- Business
- First Solar, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and provider of photovoltaic solar energy solutions. The company specializes in the production of advanced thin-film solar modules, predominantly using its proprietary cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology, which offers high energy yield and sustainability benefits. Its core product lineup includes Series 6 and Series 7 thin-film solar modules. First Solar also delivers utility-scale photovoltaic solar power systems, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, and operations and maintenance (O&M) services for solar energy projects. The company operates manufacturing facilities across the United States, India, Vietnam, and Malaysia, with headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, and a research and development center in Ohio.
In the last two years, First Solar has significantly expanded its manufacturing capacity and strengthened its market position through major investments and strategic initiatives. In 2025, the company inaugurated a $1.1 billion AI-enabled manufacturing plant in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, adding 3.5 GW of annual module production capacity. Additionally, First Solar announced plans to open a new 3.7 GW solar module finishing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina, projected to start operations in late 2026, reinforcing its total U.S. capacity to an expected 17.7 GW by 2027. The company has also invested approximately $330 million in this new South Carolina facility. First Solar continues to build its U.S. manufacturing presence alongside existing plants in Alabama and Ohio, with the latter also housing its advanced innovation center.
The company recently expanded its European footprint by acquiring thin-film technology specialist Evolar, based in Uppsala, Sweden, to accelerate development of high-efficiency tandem photovoltaic devices. This acquisition marks First Solar's first European R&D facility and complements its global innovation capabilities. First Solar is also responding to changing trade policies by emphasizing domestic content bonuses for U.S. solar project development, creating competitive advantages through pricing and delivery certainty.
Operating primarily in the solar energy industry within the renewable energy segment, First Solar targets utility-scale power generation customers, independent power producers, utilities, and commercial and industrial energy markets. The company's global footprint includes the United States, Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, with a strong focus on U.S. manufacturing and deployment. Founded in 1999, First Solar maintains a leadership role in sustainable thin-film photovoltaic technology and utility-scale solar power solutions.
In 2025, First Solar reported strong financial performance with net sales expected between $4.95 billion and $5.7 billion and an earnings per share guidance ranging from $13.50 to $16.50. The company achieved record sales volumes and secured substantial new bookings, reinforcing a sales backlog exceeding 64 GW through 2030. This positions First Solar to capitalize on a rapidly growing global demand for solar energy, supported by ongoing investments in capacity expansion and technological innovation.
Overall, First Solar is a vertically integrated solar energy company focused on manufacturing high-performance thin-film photovoltaic modules and delivering comprehensive solar power solutions, with a strategic emphasis on expanding U.S. manufacturing capacity and advancing photovoltaic technology through key acquisitions and innovation.