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Manufacturer review

First Solar panels, read off the datasheets

First Solar is a leading American solar technology company and global provider of responsibly produced eco-efficient solar modules, advancing the fight against climate change. The company manufactures thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules using cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductor technology. First Solar is unique among...

Everything below is computed from those 63 datasheets: no score out of ten, no ranking of brands against each other, and nothing a manufacturer can pay to change. Where First Solar does not publish a figure, it is left out of the average rather than assumed.

Panels
63
models in the database
Average efficiency
18.6%
across the catalogue
Best efficiency
19.7%
their strongest module
Power range
430-550 Wp
smallest to largest
Bifacial share
19%
12 dual-sided models
Average warranty
29 years
guaranteed output term
01

The top of the range

The leaders of First Solar's own catalogue on the two figures a specification sheet leads with. Neither is a verdict: the most efficient module in a range is rarely the one that suits a given roof.

Most efficient module efficiency
1 FS-7550A-TR1 Thin film 550 Wp 19.7% 2 FS-7550A-FT1 Thin film 550 Wp 19.7% 3 FS-7545A-TR1 Thin film 545 Wp 19.5% 4 FS-7545A-FT1 Thin film 545 Wp 19.5% 5 FS-7540A-TR1 Thin film 540 Wp 19.3%
Sort the whole catalogue by efficiency
Highest power nameplate output
1 FS-7550A-TR1 Thin film 19.7% 550 Wp 2 FS-7550A-FT1 Thin film 19.7% 550 Wp 3 FS-7545A-TR1 Thin film 19.5% 545 Wp 4 FS-7545A-FT1 Thin film 19.5% 545 Wp 5 FS-7540A-TR1 Thin film 19.3% 540 Wp
Sort the whole catalogue by power
02

By what the array is for

Three cuts of the same catalogue, each ordered by efficiency inside its band. An empty column means the brand does not build for that case.

For a house roof 380-460 Wp
1 FS-6460 Thin film 460 Wp 18.6% 2 FS-6460A Thin film 460 Wp 18.6% 3 FS-6455 Thin film 455 Wp 18.4% 4 FS-6455A Thin film 455 Wp 18.4% 5 FS-6460-P-I / FS-6460A-P-I (SL) or FS-6460-P / FS-6460A-P (HL) Thin film 460 Wp 18.3%
For a commercial array 500 Wp and up
1 FS-7550A-TR1 Thin film 550 Wp 19.7% 2 FS-7550A-FT1 Thin film 550 Wp 19.7% 3 FS-7545A-TR1 Thin film 545 Wp 19.5% 4 FS-7545A-FT1 Thin film 545 Wp 19.5% 5 FS-7540A-TR1 Thin film 540 Wp 19.3%
For a ground mount dual-sided
1 FS-6480-P-B / FS-6480A-P-B Thin film bifacial 480 Wp 19.0% 2 FS-6480-P-B Thin film bifacial 480 Wp 19.0% 3 FS-6475-P-B / FS-6475A-P-B Thin film bifacial 475 Wp 18.9% 4 FS-6475-P-B Thin film bifacial 475 Wp 18.9% 5 FS-6470-P-B / FS-6470A-P-B Thin film bifacial 470 Wp 18.7%
03

What the catalogue is made of

Cell technology across the market

Shares are of the 63 modules in the database, counted once each. A power ladder of one module counts as its rungs, which is why a large catalogue is not the same as a wide one.

Cell technology share of the catalogue
CdTe 81.0% 51 Unknown 19.0% 12
CdTe accounts for 81.0% of the catalogue - 51 of 63 modules.
Efficiency spread share of the catalogue
<20% 100.0% 63
04

Strengths and gaps

Both lists are derived from the figures above rather than written about the brand. A gap here is a gap in what is published, which is not always a gap in what is built.

What this catalogue is good at
  • Solid portfolio of 63 panels
  • Tier 1 bankable manufacturer - recognized by major financial institutions
  • Strong warranty coverage averaging 29 years
  • Established manufacturer with 27+ years of experience
  • Large-scale production capacity of 21+ GW
Where it is thin
  • Average efficiency of 18.6% is below the industry leading edge
  • Limited bifacial panel options
  • Limited adoption of latest cell technologies (TOPCon/HJT)
05

In short

First Solar: First Solar is a solid option, offering 63 panels suitable for both residential and commercial buyers. With an average efficiency of 18.6% and top models reaching 19.7%, their panels deliver competitive performance. As a Tier 1 bankable manufacturer, they offer strong financial backing and long-term reliability.
Common questions
Is First Solar a good solar panel manufacturer?
First Solar offers 63 solar panel models with an average efficiency of 18.6%. They are a Tier 1 bankable manufacturer, recognized by major financial institutions for reliability. Check their full panel lineup on ComparePV to find the best model for your needs.
What types of solar panels does First Solar make?
First Solar manufactures panels ranging from 430W to 550W, covering both residential and commercial applications. Their portfolio includes CdTe (81%), Unknown (19%) cell technologies.
How efficient are First Solar solar panels?
First Solar panels have an average efficiency of 18.6%, with their most efficient model reaching 19.7%. This puts them in an area where they may be focusing on value over peak performance in the current market.
Does First Solar make bifacial solar panels?
Yes, First Solar offers 12 bifacial panels, representing 19% of their portfolio. Bifacial panels can generate additional energy from the rear side, making them ideal for ground-mounted systems.
What warranty does First Solar offer on their solar panels?
First Solar panels come with an average performance warranty of 29 years. This warranty guarantees that the panels will maintain a specified level of power output over time, protecting your investment against degradation beyond normal levels.
Are First Solar panels good for residential use?
First Solar offers panels in the residential-friendly 380-460W range. For home installations, look for models with high efficiency and compact dimensions to maximize power from limited roof space. Browse their full lineup on ComparePV to filter by power range and specifications.
06

Compared with

Build your own

A brand comparison weighs the two catalogues against each other - what each builds, at what efficiency, and how deep the range goes.

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