# Mark Widmar

> Mark R. Widmar is CEO and a director of First Solar. An Indiana University accounting and MBA graduate, he began his career at Ernst & Young in 1987, held financial leadership roles at Dell, NCR and GrafTech, and joined First Solar as CFO in 2011. CEO since July 2016, he has overseen the Series 6 transition and investments in manufacturing and next-generation solar research.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at First Solar
- **Organizations:** First Solar, Albemarle Corporation, GrafTech International, NCR, Dell, Lucent Technologies, AlliedSignal, Bristol Myers/Squibb, Ernst & Young, 8point3 Energy Partners
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in business accounting, Indiana University, Master of Business Administration, Indiana University
- **Known for:** Led First Solar through the transition from Series 4 to Series 6 manufacturing., Oversaw the acquisition of Evolar in 2023 and expansion of the company’s R&D network into Europe., Served as CEO when First Solar commissioned its Louisiana factory in 2025.

## Career timeline

- **1987** — Began his career as an accountant with Ernst & Young.
- **2000-2002** — Division controller at Dell, August 2000 to November 2002.
- **2002-2005** — Business unit CFO at NCR, starting November 2002.
- **2005-2006** — Corporate controller at NCR.
- **2006-2011** — CFO at GrafTech International, May 2006 to March 2011.
- **2011** — Joined First Solar as CFO in April.
- **2012-2015** — Also served as First Solar chief accounting officer, February 2012 to June 2015.
- **2015-2016** — CFO of the general partner of 8point3 Energy Partners, March 2015 to June 2016; remained a director through June 2018.
- **2016** — Became First Solar CEO in July and a director that year. In November the company cancelled Series 5 and accelerated Series 6.
- **2018** — By October, Series 6 production had started at three factory locations.
- **2023** — First Solar acquired Evolar to expand next-generation photovoltaic research.
- **2024** — First Solar inaugurated the Jim Nolan Center for Solar Innovation in Ohio.
- **2026** — Joined Albemarle’s board effective February 26.

## Achievements

- Led First Solar through the transition from Series 4 to Series 6 manufacturing.
- Oversaw the acquisition of Evolar in 2023 and expansion of the company’s R&D network into Europe.
- Served as CEO when First Solar commissioned its Louisiana factory in 2025.
- Selected for Albemarle’s board in 2026, serving on its executive compensation and operations/capital-related committees.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Appeared on The American Compass Podcast in an episode published September 11, discussing domestic solar manufacturing.
- **2026-07** — First Solar reported second-quarter net sales of $1.06 billion, net income of $423 million and a 45.1 GW contracted backlog as of June 30; Widmar said cumulative global module sales had passed 100 GW.
- **2026-07** — A live Reindustrialize conversation with Nick Solheim was published on the Moment of Truth podcast on July 13.
- **2026-03** — Albemarle announced his board appointment on March 2, effective February 26.

## Links

- Website: https://www.firstsolar.com/About-Us/Leadership
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-widmar-55828b32

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mark-widmar
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21