The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 79 | 13.1x | 20.8x | Top tier | |
Growth | 61 | 27.3% | 6.1% | Around median | |
Quality | 78 | 24.3% | 6.6% | Top tier | |
Safety | 92 | — | 0.7x | Top tier | |
Capital Return | 72 | — | 2.02% | Top tier | |
Momentum | 42 | 67.5% | 4.1% | Around median | |
Sentiment | 70 | 23 | 3 | Top tier |
Estimates — analyst targets and a simplified DCF, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is a global leader in solar technology, specializing in the design and manufacture of thin-film solar panels using its proprietary CadTel (cadmium telluride) technology. The company features a vertically integrated business model that provides complete independence from Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains, enhancing its competitive position particularly in the US and Indian markets. The company generates its revenue primarily from selling these advanced panels to utility-scale solar projects, capitalizing on tax incentives and growing demand for clean, independent energy sources.
During the first quarter of 2026, First Solar achieved strong financial results, with record quarterly revenue of $1.0 billion, a 24% increase compared to the prior year, driven by a 31% increase in sales volume, despite average selling price being affected by increased sales in the Indian market. Gross profit margin rose to 47%, an increase of 6 percentage points, thanks to tax exemption benefits under Section 45X and lower shipping costs. The company recorded net income of $346.6 million, or earnings per share of $3.22, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached $520 million, exceeding previous expectations of $400 to $500 million, supported by a massive contracted backlog of 47.9 GW valued at $14.4 billion.
First Solar stock enjoys a strong positive consensus among analysts recommending a 'Buy', with an average price target of $254.92, where the analyst target range spans from a low of $205 to a high of $315. The stock is currently trading below this average analyst price target, reflecting Wall Street's optimism regarding the company's growth prospects, supported by its strong profit margins and unique competitive position in the renewable energy market.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-06-15; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
CuRe technology is First Solar's latest technological innovation to enhance solar panel efficiency, reduce degradation rates, and improve thermal performance, providing up to 8% more lifetime specific energy yield compared to crystalline silicon-based TOPCon technology. The launch of this technology was successfully completed at the Perrysburg facility, with the rollout of production line upgrades for Series 6 and Series 7 across the company's entire fleet scheduled for completion by the first half of 2028. This upgrade is expected to support up to $0.6 billion in additional revenue through technology price adjustments included in the backlog, with the majority of this revenue expected to flow in 2027 and 2028.
First Solar directly and significantly benefits from advanced manufacturing tax credits under Section 45X, which clearly contributed to expanding the company's gross profit margin to 47% in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, the new finishing facility under construction in South Carolina, planned to start production in the second half of 2026, enables the assembly of semi-finished panels and efficient utilization of these tax credits. These incentives help the company offer competitive pricing and enable its customers to qualify for domestic content bonuses that add significant value to projects.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
As of March 31, 2026, First Solar has a massive contracted backlog of 47.9 GW with a total value of $14.4 billion, with the delivery schedule extending through 2030. These contracts provide excellent visibility into the company's financial outlook, with almost all of its domestic US production committed through 2028 under existing agreements. The company is taking a highly selective approach to accepting new orders within the US, awaiting pending political and regulatory decisions to ensure the best possible pricing is achieved.
First Solar's international facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam are currently operating at significantly reduced utilization rates in line with global demand constraints and current trade dynamics, imposing underutilization charges as a headwind to second-quarter 2026 margins. The company plans to partition this 7 GW capacity, where half (3.5 GW) will be shipped as semi-finished products to be finished at the new South Carolina plant to maximize tax and tariff benefits. Meanwhile, a portion of the remaining capacity will be directed to support the perovskite pilot production line in Perrysburg by 2027, leaving less than 2 GW tied to the upcoming Section 232 tariff decisions.
First Solar has taken serious steps to protect its intellectual property rights, with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) initiating an investigation under Section 337 in March 2026 against companies representing a significant portion of TOPCon panel imports into the United States for patent infringement. The company expects an initial determination in this investigation within 11 months and a final determination within 15 months, which could restrict the import of infringing products. The company demonstrates high flexibility in entering commercial negotiations to license its technologies for fair value, and is prepared to replicate this with companies like Tesla if they utilize protected TOPCon technologies.