Press release
First Solar Establishes New Solar Industry Benchmark for Transparency with 2023 Sustainability Report
Detailed reporting on onsite third-party social audits at manufacturing facilities believed to be industry first Reveals that India facility is expected to
About this update from First Solar, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nDetailed reporting on onsite third-party social audits at manufacturing facilities believed to be industry first\n\n\n\nReveals that India facility is expected to be world’s first net-zero water withdrawal PV manufacturing plant\n\n\n\nReports year-on-year reductions in emissions-, energy-, water- and waste intensity per watt\n\n\n\n TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nFirst Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today released its 2023 Sustainability Report and established a new industry benchmark for transparency by making public details of onsite third-party social audits conducted across its global manufacturing footprint in what is believed to be an industry first. First Solar is also believed to be 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 helps eliminate risks and traceability challenges associated with outsourcing and the multiple supply tiers of conventional crystalline silicon solar manufacturing.\n\n\nFirst Solar, the only major solar manufacturer that is 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 company’s 2023 Sustainability Report. The Malaysia facility is expected to have its VAP closure audit in the fourth quarter of 2023. The purpose of proven 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.\n\n\n“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 ...