Financial Responsibility
Consistent with the philosophy of extended producer responsibility, First Solar sets aside sufficient funds at the time of each module sale to meet the estimated future collection and recycling costs of modules at the end of their useful life.
To ensure funds are available regardless of First Solar's financial status, a trust structure has been established; these funds are put into custodial accounts in the name of a Trustee. Only the Trustee can distribute funds from the custodial accounts and these funds cannot be accessed for any purpose other than for administering module collection and recycling, either by First Solar or a third party executing the collection and recycling services.
First Solar's Module Collection and Recycling Program, including the financing arrangement, is audited periodically by an independent third-party.