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First Solar (FSLR)
NASDAQ:FSLR
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First Solar (FSLR) AI Stock Analysis

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FSLR

First Solar

(NASDAQ:FSLR)

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Outperform 78 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$304.00
▲(13.59% Upside)
First Solar's strong financial performance and technical momentum are key strengths, supported by strategic expansion plans. However, cash flow challenges and risks from contract terminations and supply chain issues weigh on the overall score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates robust demand for First Solar's products and services, supporting long-term business expansion and market leadership in the solar industry.
New U.S. Production Facility
The new facility enhances production capacity and onshoring efforts, improving supply chain resilience and potentially boosting margins through increased domestic manufacturing.
Strong Balance Sheet
A strong balance sheet with low leverage provides First Solar with financial flexibility to invest in growth opportunities and weather economic fluctuations.
Negative Factors
Contract Terminations
Contract terminations with BP affiliates could lead to revenue loss and impact future project pipeline, highlighting risks in customer reliability and contract management.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain issues can hinder production efficiency and lead to increased costs, affecting First Solar's ability to meet demand and maintain profit margins.
Decline in Free Cash Flow
A decline in free cash flow indicates challenges in converting earnings into cash, which could limit First Solar's ability to fund operations and growth initiatives.

First Solar (FSLR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

First Solar Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFirst Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is a leading American manufacturer of solar panels and a provider of utility-scale photovoltaic power plants. Established in 1999, the company specializes in the production of thin-film solar technology, which is known for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness in converting sunlight into electricity. First Solar operates primarily in the renewable energy sector, focusing on solar energy solutions, and offers services including project development, financing, and operations and maintenance (O&M) for solar projects.
How the Company Makes MoneyFirst Solar generates revenue through several key streams. Primarily, the company earns money from the sale of its solar panels to utility companies and commercial customers, leveraging its advanced thin-film technology to offer competitive pricing. Additionally, First Solar engages in project development, where it builds and sells large-scale solar power plants, often entering long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) that provide stable revenue over time. The company also generates income from the O&M services it provides to its solar projects, ensuring they operate efficiently post-installation. Significant partnerships with utilities and project developers further enhance its revenue potential, while government incentives and renewable energy credits play a crucial role in the financial viability of its projects.

First Solar Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Megawatts Produced
Megawatts Produced
Indicates the total energy output generated, showcasing the company's production capacity and efficiency in meeting energy demands.
Chart InsightsFirst Solar's production has shown a consistent upward trend, reaching 4.2 gigawatts in Q2 2025, reflecting strategic expansion and technological advancements. The earnings call highlights robust U.S. manufacturing growth, with plans to exceed 14 gigawatts by 2026. Despite international tariff challenges, the company's strong backlog and favorable U.S. policy environment bolster its competitive edge. The recent increase in bookings and demand for U.S.-made products further supports First Solar's optimistic outlook, positioning it well for continued growth despite global trade uncertainties.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

First Solar Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mix of positive achievements such as record module sales and earnings, as well as significant challenges, including contract terminations with BP affiliates and supply chain disruptions. While the company demonstrated resilience and strategic planning, the impact of the negative aspects was notable.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Module Sales
First Solar delivered a record 5.3 gigawatts of module sales in Q3 2025.
Earnings and Cash Improvement
Q3 earnings were $4.24 per diluted share, and gross cash increased to $2 billion.
Initiation of New U.S. Production Facility
First Solar announced the establishment of a new 3.7 gigawatt U.S. production facility for module finishing, expected to enhance the gross margin profile.
Sustainability Achievements
First Solar's Ohio facilities progressed to a gold rating in the Responsible Business Alliance's validated assessment program.
Negative Updates
Termination of Contracts with BP Affiliates
Contracts for 6.6 gigawatts were terminated due to BP affiliates defaulting on agreements, leading to $385 million in expected termination payments.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Glass supply chain disruptions affected production in Alabama, resulting in a reduction of 0.2 gigawatts in full-year production.
Underutilization and Production Curtailment
Increased underutilization costs and production curtailments due to the BP contract termination and supply chain issues impacted financial results.
Warranty Liabilities
Estimated potential future warranty losses related to manufacturing issues range from $50 million to $90 million, with $65 million recorded as a liability.
Company Guidance
During First Solar's Third Quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided several key metrics and updates. They reported securing gross bookings of approximately 2.7 gigawatts at a base ASP of $0.309 per watt, with some Series 7 modules impacted by manufacturing issues booked at $0.29 per watt. The company also terminated 6.6 gigawatts of bookings with BP affiliates, citing defaults, resulting in total debookings of 6.9 gigawatts and a current expected contracted backlog of 54.5 gigawatts. First Solar delivered a record 5.3 gigawatts of module sales, with Q3 earnings reaching $4.24 per diluted share. Their gross cash position increased to $2 billion, bolstered by improved working capital and new bookings. They produced 3.6 gigawatts of modules in Q3, with 2.5 gigawatts from U.S. facilities and 1.1 gigawatts from international operations. The company also announced plans to establish a new 3.7 gigawatts U.S. production facility for onshoring the finishing of Series 6 modules initiated internationally.

First Solar Financial Statement Overview

Summary
First Solar shows strong revenue growth and profitability with efficient operations and a solid balance sheet. However, challenges in cash flow management, particularly the decline in free cash flow, need attention.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
First Solar has demonstrated strong revenue growth with a 16.28% increase in TTM, supported by robust gross and net profit margins of 42.76% and 28.95% respectively. The company maintains a healthy EBIT margin of 31.81% and an EBITDA margin of 40.12%, indicating efficient operational management. However, the slight decline in gross profit margin from the previous year suggests potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a solid financial position with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, indicating conservative leverage. Return on equity is strong at 16.61%, showcasing effective use of equity capital. The equity ratio stands at 66.98%, highlighting a stable asset base. However, the increase in total debt from the previous year warrants monitoring.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Operating cash flow is robust, but the free cash flow has declined significantly, resulting in a negative free cash flow growth rate of -165.19%. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.10, suggesting potential cash flow management issues. The negative free cash flow to net income ratio indicates challenges in converting earnings into free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.05B4.21B3.32B2.62B2.92B2.71B
Gross Profit2.02B1.86B1.30B69.86M729.95M680.67M
EBITDA2.03B1.87B1.21B290.55M845.17M550.15M
Net Income1.40B1.29B830.78M-44.17M468.69M398.36M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets13.46B12.12B10.37B8.25B7.41B7.11B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.04B1.79B2.10B2.58B1.83B1.75B
Total Debt891.91M718.80M624.39M234.13M398.59M482.27M
Total Liabilities4.44B4.15B3.68B2.42B1.45B1.59B
Stockholders Equity9.02B7.98B6.69B5.84B5.96B5.52B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow614.52M-308.08M-784.51M-30.24M-302.73M-379.51M
Operating Cash Flow1.63B1.22B602.26M873.37M237.56M37.12M
Investing Cash Flow-799.32M-1.56B-472.79M-1.19B-99.04M-131.23M
Financing Cash Flow155.17M24.85M336.85M309.39M40.55M-82.59M

First Solar Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price267.64
Price Trends
50DMA
226.52
Positive
100DMA
202.20
Positive
200DMA
174.61
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
12.68
Negative
RSI
63.61
Neutral
STOCH
81.11
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FSLR, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 267.64 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 244.46, above the 50-day MA of 226.52, and above the 200-day MA of 174.61, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 12.68 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 63.61 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 81.11 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for FSLR.

First Solar Risk Analysis

First Solar disclosed 35 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. First Solar reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

First Solar Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$15.53B27.1835.44%20.37%3.46%
78
Outperform
$28.72B20.5516.86%31.16%11.97%
62
Neutral
$3.95B20.9120.31%20.97%226.98%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
51
Neutral
$1.30B-7.75%35.75%37.97%
49
Neutral
$2.39B-78.09%-0.14%66.71%
49
Neutral
$3.97B-59.68%13.79%-527.48%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FSLR
First Solar
267.64
73.81
38.08%
ENPH
Enphase Energy
30.22
-33.44
-52.53%
SEDG
SolarEdge Technologies
40.00
26.32
192.40%
RUN
Sunrun
17.13
6.90
67.45%
ARRY
Array Technologies
8.54
1.86
27.84%
NXT
NEXTracker, Inc. Class A
104.63
65.05
164.35%

First Solar Corporate Events

First Solar’s Earnings Call: Record Sales Amid Challenges
Nov 1, 2025

First Solar’s recent earnings call presented a balanced narrative, reflecting both significant achievements and notable challenges. The company celebrated record module sales and earnings, demonstrating resilience and strategic foresight. However, the call also highlighted substantial hurdles, such as contract terminations with BP affiliates and supply chain disruptions, which tempered the overall positive sentiment.

First Solar Reports Strong Q3 2025 Financial Results
Oct 31, 2025

First Solar, Inc., a leading American photovoltaic solar technology and manufacturing company, specializes in advanced thin film PV technology, offering a high-performance alternative to conventional solar modules.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
First Solar Enters Major Tax Credit Agreements
Positive
Oct 21, 2025

On October 20, 2025, First Solar, Inc. entered into two Tax Credit transfer agreements with a leading digital payments company, involving the sale of $600 million in advanced manufacturing production tax credits generated in 2025. The agreements include a fixed transfer of $573 million payable in two installments by the end of 2025, and a variable transfer of up to $175 million, with payment due in early 2026. These agreements are expected to impact First Solar’s financial operations by providing significant liquidity and potentially enhancing its market positioning in the renewable energy sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSLR) stock is a Buy with a $278.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Solar stock, see the FSLR Stock Forecast page.

First Solar Shines in Q2 2025 Earnings Call
Aug 2, 2025

First Solar’s recent earnings call paints a generally optimistic picture, underscored by robust module sales, earnings that surpassed expectations, and a supportive policy environment. Despite these positive signals, the company is navigating challenges such as international tariff impacts and contract terminations.

First Solar Reports Strong Q2 2025 Financial Performance
Aug 1, 2025

First Solar, Inc., a leading American photovoltaic solar technology and manufacturing company, specializes in advanced thin film PV technology, providing a high-performance alternative to conventional solar modules.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 01, 2025