When First Solar (FSLR 2.85%) reported third-quarter earnings per share of $1.94 it shocked investors. The increased profits were driven by an $0.08 reduction in cost per watt, 860 MW of project signings, and a plan to make panels that are as much as 17% efficient.
First Solar is leveraging its utility scale solar prowess to generate a 28.8% gross margin, which far exceeds SunPower (SPWR) and Canadian Solar (CSIQ -0.98%), two solar manufacturers who have built significant power plant businesses of their own.
Erin Miller sat down with solar analyst Travis Hoium to see why investors should be interested in First Solar now.
