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 decreased by 1% over the last 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, 3.6 for culture and values and 3.4 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?

"Good benefit and growth of the company" ((in 54 reviews)); "People are understanding of mistakes and it's great as a first full time corporate job." ((in 53 reviews)); "Good pay and work with top tallent peers" ((in 51 reviews)); "Good culture Friendly co" ((in 30 reviews)); "good work / life balance" ((in 22 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)); "Long hours necessary to accomplish workload." ((in 10 reviews)); "Poor communication and coordination throughout the organization" ((in 10 reviews)); "Managers discouraged input from qualified team members." ((in 10 reviews)); "senior management is incompetent and lazy" ((in 5 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

4.0

Diversity & inclusion

3.7

Work/Life balance

3.6

Culture & values

3.4

Senior management

3.4

Compensation and benefits

3.4

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 27, 2012

A company growing back to peak

Database administrator

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Currently the solar industry is growing through rough phase and FSLR is no excuse and it believes in what it is doing. I think it is growing back to its peak time.

Cons

Employees work should be more aggressive. sometime it takes long time to get things done. it need to find more innovative ways to get things efficiently.

4.0

Jun 17, 2012

First Solar 2012

Engineer i

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Well known company. Number one in thin film solar panels. American success story.

Cons

Unfortunately, solar companies have been struggling lately; First Solar is no exception.

4.0

Jun 10, 2012

Entrepreneurial opportunity - second time around!

Manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

High caliber associates, "topgrading" hiring process, generally highly supportive culture. Leading company in unitlity-scale solar electric plants (own 67% of the 100MW+ market). Innovation leader in driving down the cost of solar electricity. Great potential for expansive future growth, once we make it through the transition to (larger) unsubsidized markets.

Cons

Significant risk from several factors: Chinese competition (with deep pockets willing to operate at a loss to drive out competitors.),

Viewing 664 - 666 of 684 Reviews

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Jobs at First Solar

Production Operator (Nights)

Administrative Assistant II

Manager– Marketing & Marketing Operations

Manager- Brand and Creative

Digital Marketing and AI Intern (Fall 2026)