First Solar scores 51/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified June 2026.
That places First Solar joint 120th of 809 companies scored, and joint 3rd of 33 in Electronics / Hardware.
First Solar has raised absolute emissions 19% year-on-year while expanding capacity, despite intensity gains and a validated net-zero target. Scope 3 emissions remain unquantified. The company leads in solar panel recycling (95% recovery) and renewable energy procurement, but relies on intensity-based targets for supply chain emissions and faces inherent cadmium toxicity risks from its CdTe product.
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SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Transparency & Accountability and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 5/10).
9 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“In 2024, First Solar reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 936,044,000 kg CO2e”
“2024 CDP Corporate Response”
“By 2050, First Solar aims to reduce our scope 3 GHG emissions...by 97 percent per MW produced”
“we diverted 88% of waste from disposal (compared to 87% in 2023) and recovered a global average of 95% of materials from recycled panels”
“First Solar is the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere and the world's largest high-value solar panel recycler.”
“environmental releases of Cd and low worker exposures during routine manufacturing process, both far below regulatory limits”
“high-value module recycling program recorded an average global material recovery rate of 95%”
“SEIA demonstrates active and mostly positive engagement on US climate policy”
“A 32% year-on-year reduction in manufacturing water intensity and a 78% reduction since 2009.”
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Where First Solar sits among electronics / hardware peers.
Among the 33 major electronics / hardware brands we've scored, First Solar is tied =3rd of 33, with 2 others.
As First Solar's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
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First Solar manufactures thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic modules and operates the world's largest solar panel recycling programme. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, the company produces approximately 15.5 GW of modules annually across manufacturing facilities in the US, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. It is a vertically integrated solar manufacturer and recycler.
EV and energy storage manufacturer; comparable scale and SBTi validation status in clean tech.
View breakdown →Wind turbine OEM; renewable energy hardware manufacturer competing in energy transition.
View breakdown →Microinverter and battery storage; solar-adjacent renewable energy hardware sector peer.
View breakdown →Refined oil products company; addresses product toxicity and supply chain governance similar to CdTe challenges.
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