First Solar Issues 2022 Sustainability Report

First Solar, Inc. announced that it has issued its 2022 Sustainability Report highlighting its continued, industry-leading environmental, social, and governance (ESG) progress.

The only US-headquartered company among the world’s ten largest solar manufacturers, First Solar’s responsibly produced photovoltaic (PV) solar modules have the lowest carbon and water footprint and fastest energy payback time of any commercially available PV technology today.

“By placing Responsible Solar at the heart of our business and investing in innovation and scale, First Solar is an example of how solar can be competitive without compromising on principles and purpose,” said Mark Widmar, CEO, First Solar. “We have consistently demonstrated that the solar-at-any-cost approach, which turns a blind eye to human and environmental costs of PV manufacturing, does not have to be the norm and that Responsible Solar is now a competitive differentiator.”

Highlights in First Solar’s 2022 Sustainability Report include:
• A 13% year-on-year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The company remains on track to achieve its science-based target of reducing its absolute scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, from a 2008 baseline, by 34% by 2028 and net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with limiting global temperatures to 1.5°C.
• An 8% year-on-year reduction in manufacturing energy intensity and a cumulative reduction in manufacturing energy intensity per watt by 65% since 2009.
• A 32% year-on-year reduction in manufacturing water intensity and a 78% reduction since 2009. Water recycling initiatives saved more than 268 million liters of water in 2021.
• An 8% year-on-year reduction in manufacturing waste intensity and a 55% reduction since 2012.
• A 4% increase in women in management positions compared to 2020. First Solar’s Board of Directors is 33% diverse and the company was recognized as a “3+ company” by 50/50 Women on Boards for having at least three women serve on its Board.

Earlier this year, First Solar announced that its 2.7 gigawatt (GW)DC vertically integrated manufacturing complex in Ohio has achieved Platinum status in the Responsible Business Alliance’s (RBA) Validated Audit Process (VAP), providing further validation to customers that they are working with a responsible partner. Platinum is the highest possible rating awarded on completion of a full VAP, which is considered the leading standard for onsite compliance verification and effective, shareable social and environmental audits across industries.