First Solar reviews

3.7

70% would recommend to a friend

(683 total reviews)
avatar

Mark Widmar

86% approve of CEO

62% positive business outlook

First Solar has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 683 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The First Solar employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Manufacturing industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

683 reviews
2.0
Dec 16, 2014

Profits over people

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You wil get the oppotunity to work with some pretty impressive people. Expect to work a lot of overtime.

Cons

This is one company that puts profits over people. You can be doing an outstanding job with perfect job reviews then boom. Your email and phone are cut and security is escorting you off the site. No warning, no notice, just someone you have never seen before comming and telling you that "your services are no longer required." High stress because it happens all the time. You never know when you will be cut. Simply no job security. Also expect long days. Typical day starts with boarding bus to work at 6 am and returning to rideshare lot at 6 pm. 12 hour days with only 8 paid.

2.0
Feb 12, 2014

Downward slide

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great mission you can believe in. Their technology is good, some major progress seems plausible -- assuming things go as planned. Superior cost structure -- but it doesn't matter if the comp is selling at a loss.

Cons

Compensation isn't great anymore after their financials deteriorated -- only a select few senior executives get stock now. Lots of great people left through restructuring or due to waning prospects for the business. New management team is MIA.

2.0
Dec 3, 2013

Lots of potential with no leadership abilities or common sense

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

No micro-managers, compensation has been fair to good, constant workflow, ability to work from home/remote.

Cons

No one is held accountable for anything. Lack of advancement. Reduction in compensation, while workload increases. No work/life balance. Lack of leadership and direction. Management is Top Heavy. Advancement is not based on education, experience, results or seniority. HR is clueless, doesn't follow its own employee handbook rules.

Viewing 46 - 48 of 683 Reviews

Glassdoor has 805 First Solar reviews submitted anonymously by First Solar employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if First Solar is right for you.