First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) is expected to report Q1 earnings around May 2. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
 Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict First Solar's revenues will grow 46.1% and EPS will turn positive

The average estimate for revenue is $726.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.75.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, First Solar reported revenue of $1.08 billion. GAAP reported sales were 63% higher than the prior-year quarter's $660.4 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $2.04. GAAP EPS were $1.74 for Q4 compared to -$4.78 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
 For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 27.3%, 640 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.3%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.3%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.84 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.28.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 3,141 members out of 3,895 rating the stock outperform, and 754 members rating it underperform. Among 587 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 393 give First Solar a green thumbs-up, and 194 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on First Solar is hold, with an average price target of $23.41.

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