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 57 reviews)); "Good pay and days off" ((in 43 reviews)); "Good culture Friendly co" ((in 31 reviews)); "Good work life balance here" ((in 25 reviews))

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

"Cultural challenges given the number of spread out offices and difficulty establishing a common culture; stock price volatility reducing the value of equity compensation, a number of silos which resulted in "us vs them" mentality (EPC versus Project Development); recent layoffs given shift in the market away from historically subsidized markets in Europe" ((in 12 reviews)); "Poor communication and coordination throughout the organization" ((in 11 reviews)); "Long hours necessary to accomplish workload." ((in 9 reviews)); "Favoritism is very high there." ((in 9 reviews)); "Hectic, stressful, and bad leadership" ((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

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

3.0

Sep 29, 2017

First Solar, Inc.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The people you work with each day are the best reason to come to work. Different challenges each and every day makes it interesting. Everyone is open to new ideas. Flexible work schedules. Having a very good manager. The salaries and benefits are good. Great product!

Cons

Being a global company with production in Malaysia, U.S. and next Vietnam, many individuals are expected to work 14 to 16 hour days to keep up with all time zones. No work/life balance. Minimal room for career advancement. Many Directors/Managers trying to get to the next level and only worrying about themselves and not what is in the best interest of the company. Too many valuable associates have departed due to upper management's ever changing strategies or lack thereof. Nothing is being done to retain top talent. No yearly salary increases given to employees who are in the 3rd and 4th quartile of their pay grade no matter the employee's performance rating.

First Solar Response

8y

Thank you for leaving a review. We appreciate your feedback and are glad that there are so many positive aspects of your job! If you would like to discuss your concerns further, please email jobs@firstsolar.com and we will be sure to get you in touch with a representative that can help you.

4.0

Aug 15, 2017

Proud to be working for a green energy company

Salaried manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Goal driven company, very fast paced and requires a lot of tolerance for change. Job demands agility and flexibility. Casual work environment. Good health insurance benefits. Better, more aligned leadership under Mark Widmar. Proud to be working for a green energy company that can make a positive impact on the environment. Co-workers are very smart and driven. Like working with the people here. Bonus opportunity is good when the company performs well. I have been promoted a few times. Bonuses consistently have had some payout, even in bad years.

Cons

Industry is volatile and layoffs have impacted good people. Vacation and paid holiday allotment is stingy, and it takes 10 years to get additional vacation days. Leadership diversity could improve. Very few women in leadership roles. Job sharing, flex schedules, and part-time policies are very new and not really part of the culture. Constant pressure on "reducing OPEX", i.e. headcount and budgets, is exhausting. Merit increases are low (about 3%), and in 2017 they didn't give raises at all. Very few team building or employee events are ever sponsored.

First Solar Response

8y

Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear that so much of your experience has been positive. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, we’d love the opportunity to resolve them. Please email jobs@firstsolar.com and we will be sure to get you in touch with a representative that can help you.

5.0

Feb 10, 2017

Great Company

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great work life balance, opportunities for advancement, awesome culture

Cons

None to mention at this time

First Solar Response

8y

Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts. We appreciate you sharing your experience with us and are glad you had a great experience!

Viewing 130 - 132 of 684 Reviews

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Jobs at First Solar

Production Operator (Days)

Production Operator (Nights)

Production Technician I (Days)

Production Technician I (Nights)

Digital Marketing and AI Intern (Fall 2026)

First Solar

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First Solar, Inc.

Proud to be working for a green energy company

Great Company

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