First Solar

Like the ancient Egyptians who worshiped Ra, First Solar looks to the sun for rising fortunes. The company manufactures photovoltaic (PV) modules for converting sunlight into electricity. Using a thin-film semiconductor process, a piece of glass is transformed into a complete solar module in less than three hours. The technology is cheaper and produces more electricity under real-world conditions than conventional solar panels with similar power ratings. Founded in Ohio, more than 90% of its sales come from outside the US, primarily from solar project developers and system integrators in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. First Solar also provides solar power plant project development services.