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First Solar
First Solar is the only US-headquartered top-10 solar module producer, using CdTe thin-film technology vertically integrated from manufacturing to...
First Solar
First Solar manufactures photovoltaic modules using cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film semiconductor technology, a departure from the dominant crystalline silicon approach. The company was incorporated in 1999 and went public on Nasdaq in 2006 under the ticker FSLR. Its wealth was built through equity issuance, debt financing, and a 2013 acquisition of TetraSun. Principal ownership is held by public shareholders; no single family office has disclosed control. First Solar's revenue comes from module sales and the construction of turnkey solar power plants. The company sells its Series 6 and Series 7 modules to utility-scale and distributed-generation customers across the Americas, Europe, India, and APAC. It also provides operations and maintenance services along with end-of-life recycling. Long-term supply agreements include a 2023 deal with Silicon Ranch for 4 GW of modules (per the firm, 2023) and a 2024 contract with Origis Energy for 2.5 GW (per the firm, 2024). The firm has over 18 GW of modules installed globally as of 2024. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, it maintains offices in Boston, Dallas, and Needham, Massachusetts. First Solar operates factories in Ohio, Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. In 2024, the firm commissioned its fifth US manufacturing facility in Iberia, Louisiana. Its publicly traded status makes financial data transparent: $3.6 billion in 2024 net sales (per the firm, 2024). First Solar stands alone among top-tier module makers as the only US-headquartered producer. Its closed-loop production — from raw cadmium telluride to module recycling — differentiates it from Chinese crystalline silicon competitors. The firm relies on tariff structures and the Inflation Reduction Act for competitive advantage, which ties its structural position to US energy policy.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Tempe
Corporate office
Tempe, AZ, United States
Additional offices
Boston, MA · Dallas, TX · Needham, MA
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes investment decisions at First Solar?
First Solar is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: FSLR) run by a board of directors and a executive management team. The CEO is Mark Widmar, who has held the role since 2011. The board is responsible for major strategic and capital-allocation decisions. No single family office or private individual controls capital allocation.
How does First Solar source its proprietary deal flow?
First Solar does not source deal flow in the traditional venture sense. Its business is manufacturing and selling solar modules and power-plant development. It generates sales through competitive bidding on utility and commercial projects, long-term supply agreements with independent power producers, and bilateral contracts for turnkey EPC services.
Is First Solar structured as a family office or an operating company?
First Solar is a publicly traded manufacturing corporation. It does not operate as a family office, an asset manager, or an investment vehicle. Its ownership is dispersed among public shareholders. The firm discloses financials quarterly and is subject to SEC reporting.
Does First Solar participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
First Solar does not make fund commitments. It is a product and project-services company. It sells modules, provides EPC and O&M services, and operates its own recycling business. It is not an investment allocator.
What investment stages does First Solar typically target?
First Solar does not target investment stages. It targets utility-scale and commercial solar power plants as a supplier. Its customers are project developers, utilities, and independent power producers.
Which sectors does First Solar explicitly avoid?
First Solar does not invest in other sectors. It focuses solely on solar photovoltaic technology and associated services. It avoids oil, gas, coal, nuclear, wind, and other energy technologies.
Does First Solar maintain philanthropic structures?
First Solar operates a corporate responsibility program but no separately endowed family foundation is disclosed. It has published annual sustainability and corporate responsibility reports since 2008. The firm does not report any independent philanthropic foundation.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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