FSLR · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Manufacturing and Capacity

FIRST SOLAR, INC. · 2026-10-29 · Importance 40 · Surprise 42

First Solar recently commenced operations at its fifth U.S. manufacturing facility and began commercial production in the first phase of its sixth U.S. facility in South Carolina in September 2026; the second phase is expected to start operations in mid-2027. The South Carolina facility is intended to onshore final production processes for modules initiated by the international fleet, and the company’s manufacturing footprint spans the United States, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam. In response to market conditions, First Solar reduced Series 6 production at international facilities, citing a European market captured by Chinese modules, restrictions affecting Southeast Asian products in India, an imbalance in Southeast Asian supply and demand, and U.S. import tariffs. Third-quarter production was 4.3 GW versus 3.6 GW a year earlier, while sales were 4.1 GW versus 5.3 GW.

Key facts

• The first phase of First Solar's sixth U.S. manufacturing facility began commercial production in September 2026, and the second phase is expected to commence operations in mid-2027. source
• First Solar expects the second phase of its South Carolina facility to begin operations in mid-2027. source
• First Solar commenced operations at its fifth U.S. manufacturing facility and expects the second phase of its sixth U.S. facility in South Carolina to commence operations in mid-2027; the first phase began commercial production in September 2026. source
• First Solar reduced production of Series 6 modules at its international manufacturing facilities in response to market conditions including low-priced Chinese modules in Europe, Indian market restrictions, Southeast Asian supply-demand imbalance, and U.S. import tariffs. source
• First Solar is expanding domestic manufacturing capacity by completing its sixth U.S. manufacturing facility in South Carolina to onshore final production of modules initiated by its international fleet. source
• First Solar's fifth U.S. manufacturing facility recently commenced operations. source
• During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, production start-up expense was incurred primarily for First Solar's sixth U.S. manufacturing facility; its first phase commenced commercial production in September 2026. source
• For the three months ended September 30, 2026, First Solar produced 4.3 GW and sold 4.1 GW of solar modules, versus 3.6 GW produced and 5.3 GW sold in the same period of 2025. source