Is First Solar a good company to work for?

First Solar has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on over 806 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months. 70% of employees would recommend working at First Solar to a friend and 62% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about First Solar have been left by employees working as Manufacturing Engineer , Development Engineer and Manager .

Does First Solar pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, First Solar employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.4 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at First Solar. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at First Solar?

70% of First Solar employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated First Solar 3.7 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.7 for culture and values and 3.3 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at First Solar?

Engineer (24) , Manufacturing Engineer (21) , Manager (17) , Technician (13) , Development Engineer (11) , Intern (9) , Development Engineer II (8) , Internship (8) , Manufacturing Associate (8) , Project Manager (8) , Production Operator (7) , Analyst (6) , Director (6) , Coater Technician (5) , Human Resources Generalist (5)

What are the pros of working at First Solar according to real employee reviews?

"People are understanding of mistakes and it's great as a first full time corporate job." ((in 57 reviews)); "Good benefit and growth of the company" ((in 53 reviews)); "Good pay and days off" ((in 45 reviews)); "Good culture Friendly co" ((in 33 reviews)); "Work life balance is good" ((in 24 reviews))

What are the cons of working at First Solar according to real employee reviews?

"Industry is volatile and layoffs have impacted good people." ((in 10 reviews)); "Poor communication and coordination throughout the organization" ((in 10 reviews)); "favoritism, poor management skills, bloated management team, little opportunity for career development, too frequent re" ((in 10 reviews)); "Long hours necessary to accomplish workload." ((in 8 reviews)); "Pay could be a little better, Managers are hit and miss (some present from rapid expansion and were not qualified to supervise people, Hence a high turn over rate), Ideal case of Nepotism, no chance of advancement." ((in 8 reviews))

What are employees saying about First Solar layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about First Solar layoffs and their outlook for job security at First Solar in 2026.

What are the top reviewed First Solar locations?

Perrysburg , Tempe , Toledo , Santa Clara , Trinity , Phoenix , Bridgewater , Walbridge , San Francisco , Columbus , Sunnyvale , New York , Mesa , Palmdale , Oakland , New Iberia , Tampa , Butler , Bound Brook , Jersey City , Lumberton , Decatur , Farmington , Chandler , Tucson , Portland , Elm City , Austin , Dallas , Houston

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First Solar

First Solar reviews

3.7

70% would recommend to a friend

(684 total reviews)

Mark Widmar

86% approve of CEO

62% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Diversity & inclusion

3.7

Culture & values

3.7

Work/Life balance

3.4

Senior management

3.4

Compensation and benefits

3.3

Career opportunities

First Solar has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 684 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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

684 reviews

4.0

Jun 20, 2013

Pretty good new company with a clear future

Field technician

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The techs and support personnel are enthusiastic and results oriented

Cons

Meetings during the middle of the day, many times a week are overwhelming. Remote locations techs need some kind of transportation allotment.

3.0

Feb 28, 2013

manager in back office

Director accounting and finance

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

will grow in the future with more sales

Cons

huge jungle to go through .

5.0

Jan 28, 2013

CEO is on the right track

Mis/it specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The new CEO seems to be extremely bright and capable and has defined a roadmap to transition the company to focus on being a full service system integrator and operator, vs just a panel maker, which is the right way to go. The company is highly respected, has a great product and good market share, and has alot of very smart people. I really enjoyed working with the manufacturing and engineering teams, and the international teams. The pay and benefits are great.

Cons

For me, the primary con was the location in Toledo didn't work for me. Also, there are a few small pockets of people in MIS who still think and act like money grows on trees (for them it did in the early start up years) and that planning and being responsible doesn't apply to them - they get what they want by what I call "fist pounding" vs justifying - expect the new CEO to change this, it will just take time. Lastly, the MIS Project Management Office is one of the worst I've seen.

Viewing 517 - 519 of 684 Reviews

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Jobs at First Solar

Production Operator (Days)

Production Operator (Nights)

Digital Marketing and AI Intern (Fall 2026)

Production Technician I (Nights)

Production Technician I (Days)