Shares of First Solar (FSLR 1.37%) have fallen 80% over the last two years, and 15% today on the company's earnings release. In this video, Motley Fool energy analyst Joel South takes a look at the biggest problems facing the company. With increasing competition both from Chinese and domestic companies, First Solar is facing shrinking margins and watching its former status as the dominant player in this market ebb away. Gaining access to larger projects and benefiting from economies of scale will be crucial for the company, but with increased uncertainty over government subsidies, First Solar just hasn't been able to book the large projects it needs.
What's Wrong at First Solar?
By Joel South and Taylor Muckerman – Feb 27, 2013 at 5:00PM
NASDAQ: FSLR
First Solar
Market Cap
$27B
Today's Change
(-1.37%) $3.51
Current Price
$253.08
Price as of November 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET
What's the problem at First Solar?
About the Author
Joel is a University of Washington graduate and covers energy and materials for The Motley Fool. Be sure to follow The Motley Fool's energy and materials Twitter for all your energy and materials coverage.
Follow @tmfenergy