First Solar modules represent a clean source of renewable energy, significantly reducing harmful air emissions when used in place of traditional energy generation technologies.

Independent studies and reports have confirmed First Solar PV Modules are safe to people, animal life and the environment during any anticipated application or use.

• PV solar modules represent a 90% reduction in harmful air emissions when used to displace conventional energy generation technologies. Solar electricity is generated with no air emissions, no waste use and no waste production while preventing the environmental impacts associated with traditional fossil fuels.
• A 2006 Progress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications study showed that the active semiconductor material used within First Solar PV Modules presents the best energy payback time of all existing solar technologies.
• In 2009, an in-depth assessment of the environmental, health and safety aspects of First Solar's CdTe PV systems and manufacturing operations was carried out under the authority of the French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea. It concluded that, "During standard operation of CdTe PV systems, there are no cadmium emissions - to air, to water, or to soil. In the exceptional case of accidental fires or broken panels, scientific studies show that cadmium emissions remain negligible. Accordingly, large-scale deployment of CdTe PV can be considered safe to human health and the environment."
• A peer review of three major studies on the environmental profile of CdTe PV organized by the European Commission Joint Research Center in August 2005 concluded, "...CdTe used in PV is in an environmental stable form that does not leak into the environment during normal use or unforeseen accidents, and therefore can be considered the environmental safest current use of cadmium." First Solar PV Modules constitute one of the safest manners of deploying cadmium mining waste.
• First Solar PV Modules are classified as "waste for recovery" and non-hazardous in accordance with the German Waste Code, European Waste Legislation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Learn More Brookhaven Report: Experimental Investigation of Emissions and Redistribution of Elements in CdTe PV Modules During Fires Brookhaven Report: Lifecycle Analysis of Cadmium in CdTe PV Production