Sustainable solar energy solutions and natural resource conservation are at the heart of First Solar's commitment to the environment.

Worldwide demand for energy increases each day. By the year 2025 demand is projected to double from its existing levels. With such a rapidly growing trend, satisfying a global need for energy through traditional fossil fuel methods could produce irreversible environmental damage. Energy generation strategies must begin the transition to sources of renewable, sustainable energy.

Solar energy provides a sustainable, renewable and clean source of energy. It conserves natural resources by considerably reducing fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and peak time grid constraints. Utilizing solar energy, along with other renewable sources, provides a blueprint for meeting the long-term energy requirements of a global society.

Environmental Mission

First Solar is committed to improving the global environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities. We are accomplishing this by:

  • Producing cost effective solar energy solutions that displace fossil fuels and other conventional energy solutions,
  • Managing our product life cycle – from raw material sourcing through end of life collection and recycling – in a perpetually renewable cycle that continually reduces hazardous air emissions and removes solid waste from the environment, and
  • Striving for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services.

First Solar regularly reviews the impact of our business operations to ensure adherence to our environmental mission.

  

First Solar does not utilize nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in the production of its solar modules.

A recent study led by a team of researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has found that levels of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), an extremely potent greenhouse gas, are at least four times higher than previously thought. Media reports have indicated that nitrogen fluoride is typically used during the manufacture of LCD displays, microcircuits and certain thin film solar cells.

First Solar does not use nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in the production of its thin film modules. First Solar is focused on providing sustainable energy solutions that minimize the environmental impacts of energy production on a life cycle basis. Independent analysis has confirmed that First Solar modules have the lowest life cycle environmental impacts of current PV technologies (Environmental, Science & Technology, March 15, 2008).

Additional information on the use of NF3 in silicon PV production can be found at PV-Tech.