First Solar also says it is the first among the world’s largest solar manufacturers to have conducted third-party social audits across its operational global manufacturing footprint. First Solar’s integrated manufacturing process is meant to help eliminate risks and traceability challenges associated with outsourcing and the multiple supply tiers of conventional crystalline silicon solar manufacturing.
First Solar, a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), conducted three onsite third-party RBA Validated Assessment Program (VAP) audits at its manufacturing facilities in the United States, Malaysia, and Vietnam. While the company’s US and Vietnam operations achieved platinum status, the highest possible rating, the audits uncovered the fact that four service providers at its Malaysia facility fell short of First Solar’s standards. Details of the findings and First Solar’s corrective actions are included in the sustainability report.
The Malaysia facility is expected to have its VAP closure audit in the fourth quarter of 2023. First Solar says the purpose of third-party social audits like the RBA VAP social audits is not to rubber-stamp compliance, but to identify and remedy existing and potential issues to help improve the lives of workers across the supply chain.
“We have chosen to highlight the audit findings openly, not only because of our commitment to transparency and Responsible Solar, but to raise awareness of modern slavery risks that hide in plain sight and to illustrate the value of an independent third-party social audit conducted in a credible, comprehensive manner,” said Mark Widmar, chief executive officer of First Solar. “The solar industry will anchor the global transition to a sustainable energy future, and we believe that it must do so responsibly. Quite simply, our industry’s work to power the energy transition and enable the fight against climate change does not serve as credits to offset its social and human rights obligations.”
The report also highlights that First Solar’s new factory in Tamil Nadu, India, which is scheduled to begin commercial production in the second half of 2023, is expected to be the world’s first net-zero water withdrawal solar manufacturing facility. The facility, located in a region of high baseline water stress, is designed to minimize its impact on local water resources and will rely entirely on tertiary-treated reverse osmosis water from the city’s sewage treatment plant and have zero wastewater discharge, according to the company.
Compared to 2021, First Solar has lowered its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 11%, manufacturing energy intensity by 8%, manufacturing waste intensity by 28%, and manufacturing water intensity by 20% in 2022. The company also secured an ‘AA’ rating from MSCI ESG Research in 2022, the highest in the solar industry, and a CDP Climate Change ‘A-’ rating.
