First Solar, Inc. FSLR

Company Overview

First Solar, Inc. is a U.S.-based solar energy company that designs, manufactures, and sells photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, with a primary focus on utility-scale solar power plants. The company operates within the renewable energy and clean technology industries and is best known for its proprietary thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar technology, which differentiates it from competitors that primarily use crystalline silicon. First Solar’s core customers are utility companies, independent power producers, and large commercial and industrial buyers seeking large-scale solar installations.

The company was founded in 1999 as Solar Cells Inc. by Harold McMaster and later renamed First Solar, Inc. following its initial public offering in 2006. Over time, First Solar transitioned from being both a project developer and module manufacturer to concentrating primarily on module manufacturing and related services. This strategic evolution was driven by its emphasis on technology leadership, cost efficiency, and environmental performance, positioning the company as a major supplier of utility-scale solar modules globally.