Verified Nov 2026
Batteries & E-Mobility
·
Tempe, Arizona
·
Since 1999
First Solar is a manufacturer of thin-film photovoltaic solar modules and systems, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1999, it is publicly listed and reports an employee band of 5,000 to 10,000. The company uses cadmium telluride technology and operates a vertically integrated model covering glass production through module assembly. It serves the renewable energy, utility-scale power generation, and automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment industries. In February 2026, it invested in glass manufacturing in Ohio, and it completed the first phase of planned 3.4 GW module production in South Carolina.
First Solar at a glance
Revenue
5.2B
Employees
5,000-10,000
Founded
1999
Headquarters
Tempe, Arizona
Ownership
Publicly traded (NASDAQ: FSLR)
Certifications
ISO 14001 · ISO 45001 · ISO 9001
Import activity
20316
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Electronics
Renewable Energy
Industrial Equipment
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
20316
Named foreign suppliers
50
Top origins
Vietnam · Singapore · Malaysia · Sri Lanka
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from First Solar.
What this tells a buyer
No customs shipment data is available in the record; the most recent development reported is the completion of the first phase of planned 3.4 GW module production in South Carolina, published in October 2026.
The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications and lists glass and semiconductor among its products.
First Solar reported annual revenue in the $5.2 billion band and is publicly traded under the ticker FSLR.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & strong
27 years in operation (founded 1999).
Publicly listed; no distress event on record.
Holds ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
First Solar is a manufacturer of thin-film photovoltaic solar modules and systems, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1999, it is publicly listed and reports an employee band of 5,000 to 10,000. The company uses cadmium telluride technology and operates a vertically integrated model covering glass production through module assembly. It serves the renewable energy, utility-scale power generation, and automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment industries. In February 2026, it invested in glass manufacturing in Ohio, and it completed the first phase of planned 3.4 GW module production in South Carolina.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1999 |
Headquarters | Tempe, Arizona |
Employees | 5,000-10,000 |
Revenue | 5.2B |
Ownership | Publicly traded (NASDAQ: FSLR) |
Primary capability | Batteries & E-Mobility |
Certifications | ISO 14001 · ISO 45001 · ISO 9001 |
What First Solar makes
The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications and lists glass and semiconductor among its products.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include Semiconductor, Glass (source: firstsolar.com).
Certifications
First Solar is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
ISO 14001 — firstsolar.com
ISO 45001 — firstsolar.com
ISO 9001 — firstsolar.com
Trade and customs footprint
No customs shipment data is available in the record; the most recent development reported is the completion of the first phase of planned 3.4 GW module production in South Carolina, published in October 2026. US customs bill-of-lading records list 20316 inbound shipments across 50 foreign suppliers, with top origins including Vietnam · Singapore · Malaysia · Sri Lanka.
Latest developments
2026-10-30 — First Solar Completes First Phase of Planned 3.4-GW PV Module Production in South Carolina | Energy Tech (energytech.com)
2026-10-29 — First Solar, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results, Updates Guidance, and Announces $500 Million Share Repurchase Program (businesswire.com)
2026-10-29 — Articles published by First Solar, Inc. (wedbush.com)
2026-02-25 — First Solar Invests in ‘Glass Capital of the World’ | JobsOhio (jobsohio.com)
2026-02-24 — First Solar, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results and 2026 Guidance (businesswire.com)
2025-11-21 — First Solar Inaugurates New $1.1 Billion AI-Enabled Louisiana Manufacturing Facility (businesswire.com)
Facilities
First Solar is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Public sources also reference these locations:
Gaffney, South Carolina — energytech.com
Iberia Parish, Louisiana — businesswire.com
Ohio — firstsolar.com
Alabama — firstsolar.com
Louisiana — firstsolar.com
Singapore — firstsolar.com
Company details
First Solar reported annual revenue in the $5.2 billion band and is publicly traded under the ticker FSLR. First Solar was founded in 1999, has an estimated 5,000-10,000 employees, and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & strong": 27 years in operation (founded 1999). Publicly listed; no distress event on record. Holds ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does First Solar make?
First Solar is a manufacturer of thin-film photovoltaic solar modules and systems, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1999, it is publicly listed and reports an employee band of 5,000 to 10,000. The company uses cadmium telluride technology and operates a vertically integrated model covering glass production through module assembly. It serves the renewable energy, utility-scale power generation, and automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment industries. In February 2026, it invested in glass manufacturing in Ohio, and it completed the first phase of planned 3.4 GW module production in South Carolina.
Where is First Solar headquartered?
First Solar is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona (350 West Washington Street, Tempe, Arizona, 85281).
When was First Solar founded?
First Solar was founded in 1999.
How big is First Solar?
First Solar has an estimated 5,000-10,000 employees, with revenue in the 5.2B range.
Is First Solar publicly traded?
Publicly traded (NASDAQ: FSLR). Public financial figures are drawn from its filings.
What certifications does First Solar hold?
First Solar lists ISO 14001 · ISO 45001 · ISO 9001 on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
Location & contact
Phone
+1 419-662-6899
Certification
ISO 14001 · ISO 45001 · ISO 9001
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