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
5.0
Jan 28, 2013
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.

3.0
Nov 8, 2012

It has been a decent ride

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Compensation is/was a great part of working here. When the stock was flying high, it was okay to work rediculous hours but now that the stock is tumbling, it's hard to tell the family that you will be working late and won't be home for dinner. Still a place where you think you are making a difference with clean energy.

Cons

Upper Mgmt is beyond terrible at giving updates to the direction of the company. The street has the same knowledge of the employees. When you go on vacation, plan on working as your cell phone will be going off and you are EXPECTED to answer. Very few opportunities in promotion here. HR is only worried about retaining the execs. Huge stock grants given out them but little if any to the real workers.

Viewing 652 - 654 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.