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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)

Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$229.00
▲(12.69% Upside)
First Solar's overall stock score of 79 reflects its strong financial performance and positive technical indicators. The company's strategic expansion and favorable policy environment contribute to a positive outlook, despite challenges in cash flow and international trade. The valuation is reasonable, but the lack of a dividend yield may deter some investors.
Positive Factors
Demand
The company has booked 2.1GW, including 1.4GW for new projects, which reflects strong demand.
Earnings
FSLR's reported solid Q2 results, with both revenues and EPS ahead of expectations.
Regulatory Advantage
Supportive policy changes are expected to enhance U.S. volume growth for First Solar while potentially curbing non-compliant imports, reinforcing its regulatory advantages.
Negative Factors
Backlog
Backlog declined QoQ.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Uncertainty around the Treasury's forthcoming safe harbor rules and Interior Department permitting could keep the near-term booking pace softer.
Tariff Risks
Potential for additional international curtailment due to risk related to tariffs, Section 232 investigation on polysilicon and derivatives, and FEOC restrictions.

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:Jul 31, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 04, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a positive outlook for First Solar with strong financial performance and advancements in technology. However, challenges related to tariffs and contract terminations pose risks. The overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Module Sales
First Solar recorded 3.6 gigawatts of module sales in Q2 2025, above the midpoint of the previous forecast, with U.S. facilities contributing 2.3 gigawatts.
Earnings Per Share Surpass Expectations
Q2 earnings per diluted share were $3.18, exceeding the high end of the guidance range.
Domestic Capacity Expansion
Equipment installation and commissioning at the Louisiana site is complete, expected to boost U.S. manufacturing capacity to over 14 gigawatts by 2026.
Advancements in Technology
Progress on CuRe technology and perovskite development has been positive, with improvements in performance and manufacturability.
Corporate Responsibility Achievements
First Solar published its annual corporate responsibility report, highlighting significant achievements in water recycling and waste reduction.
Strong U.S. Policy Environment
Recent legislation and policy developments have strengthened First Solar's position, particularly with restrictions on foreign entities.
Negative Updates
Contract Terminations
Recorded 1.1 gigawatts of debookings driven by contract terminations, largely related to Series 6 international products.
Tariff and Trade Challenges
Uncertainties regarding tariffs, particularly on international module sales, continue to pose challenges.
Underutilization Costs
Projected underutilization charges related to running international Series 6 production below full capacity are significant.
Legal and Compliance Costs
Broader legal actions and compliance with new trade measures continue to incur costs.
Company Guidance
During the Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, First Solar provided several key metrics and updates on its performance and future guidance. The company reported 3.6 gigawatts of module sales for Q2, which was above the forecasted midpoint, and achieved earnings per diluted share of $3.18, surpassing the high end of their guidance range. The manufacturing output was 4.2 gigawatts, with 2.4 gigawatts produced in the U.S. and 1.8 gigawatts internationally. The company's backlog at the end of the quarter stood at 61.9 gigawatts, valued at $18.5 billion. First Solar also noted advancements in its CuRe technology platform and progress in its perovskite development line, aiming for full commercialization in the coming years. The company maintained its full-year 2025 guidance, anticipating net sales between $4.9 billion and $5.7 billion, and earnings per diluted share ranging from $13.5 to $16.5. Additionally, First Solar discussed its strategic positioning amid evolving U.S. trade policies, emphasizing its strong U.S. contract backlog through 2028 and the potential for expanded production capabilities to mitigate international tariff impacts.

First Solar Financial Statement Overview

Summary
First Solar demonstrates strong financial performance with robust profitability and balance sheet stability. The company shows consistent revenue growth and efficient operational management. However, challenges in cash flow due to significant capital expenditures and negative free cash flow indicate potential issues in cash generation and capital management.
Income Statement
86
Very Positive
First Solar exhibits strong profitability with a robust gross profit margin of 42.8% and net profit margin of 28.9% in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The revenue growth rate of 3.3% from 2024 to TTM indicates steady growth. The company also maintains solid EBIT and EBITDA margins of 31.4% and 37.3% respectively, showcasing efficient operational management.
Balance Sheet
79
Positive
The company has a healthy balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07 in TTM, indicating minimal leverage. The equity ratio remains strong at 66.5%, reflecting financial stability and resilience. However, the return on equity (ROE) is modest at 14.7%, suggesting potential for improved profitability.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals challenges with a negative free cash flow (FCF) of -$942.7 million in TTM, primarily due to significant capital expenditures. The operating cash flow to net income ratio stands at 0.24, suggesting room for improvement in cash conversion. Despite this, the company has managed to maintain a positive operating cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.34B4.21B3.32B2.62B2.92B2.71B
Gross Profit1.86B1.86B1.30B69.86M729.95M680.67M
EBITDA1.74B1.87B1.21B46.78M699.37M573.81M
Net Income1.26B1.29B830.78M-44.17M468.69M398.36M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets12.86B12.12B10.37B8.25B7.41B7.11B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.15B1.79B2.10B2.58B1.83B1.75B
Total Debt1.07B718.80M624.39M234.13M398.59M482.27M
Total Liabilities4.31B4.15B3.68B2.42B1.45B1.59B
Stockholders Equity8.55B7.98B6.69B5.84B5.96B5.52B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-942.70M-308.08M-784.51M-30.24M-302.73M-379.51M
Operating Cash Flow298.86M1.22B602.26M873.37M237.56M37.12M
Investing Cash Flow-1.24B-1.56B-472.79M-1.19B-99.04M-131.23M
Financing Cash Flow399.50M24.85M336.85M309.39M40.55M-82.59M

First Solar Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price203.21
Price Trends
50DMA
184.08
Positive
100DMA
167.58
Positive
200DMA
165.73
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
5.18
Positive
RSI
57.77
Neutral
STOCH
71.69
Neutral
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 203.21 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 197.49, above the 50-day MA of 184.08, and above the 200-day MA of 165.73, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 5.18 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 57.77 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 71.69 is Neutral, 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
79
Outperform
$22.00B17.3815.92%15.39%4.28%
78
Outperform
$10.38B19.0137.20%13.26%3.08%
75
Outperform
$5.18B31.2419.79%4.39%37.70%
64
Neutral
$1.37B-44.13%6.36%-1683.09%
61
Neutral
$35.56B9.00-10.49%1.86%8.45%-8.32%
57
Neutral
$4.19B-61.90%3.27%-81.63%
51
Neutral
$2.04B-131.02%-36.07%-233.14%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FSLR
First Solar
203.21
-5.01
-2.41%
ENPH
Enphase Energy
38.81
-65.80
-62.90%
SEDG
SolarEdge Technologies
33.44
15.59
87.34%
RUN
Sunrun
16.92
-0.28
-1.63%
ARRY
Array Technologies
8.75
3.06
53.78%
NXT
NEXTracker, Inc. Class A
69.76
36.68
110.88%

First Solar Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
First Solar Enters Tax Credit Transfer Agreement
Positive
Jul 30, 2025

On July 28, 2025, First Solar, Inc. entered into a Tax Credit Transfer Agreement with a financial institution to sell up to $391 million in advanced manufacturing production tax credits. This transaction, involving the sale of module components produced in the U.S., is expected to impact the company’s financial operations positively, with payments structured in three installments throughout 2025.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
First Solar Sells $311.86M in Tax Credits
Positive
Jun 24, 2025

On June 20, 2025, First Solar, Inc. entered into a Tax Credit Transfer Agreement with a leading financial institution to sell $311.86 million of advanced manufacturing production tax credits. The purchase price was set at $296.27 million, and the transaction is expected to enhance the company’s financial flexibility and strengthen its position in the renewable energy market.

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: Aug 19, 2025