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First Solar vs. Emeren: Who Shines Brighter in the Solar Surge?
ZACKSยท2025-09-19 14:46

Core Insights - Global investments in renewable energy are accelerating, with solar power being one of the fastest-growing electricity sources, creating opportunities for companies like First Solar (FSLR) and Emeren Group (SOL) [1] Company Overview - First Solar, based in Arizona, specializes in advanced thin-film photovoltaic solar modules and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., India, Malaysia, and Vietnam [2] - Emeren, headquartered in Connecticut, operates as a global solar project developer with a growing presence in Europe, North America, and Asia [2] Financial Stability & Growth Prospects - As of June 30, 2025, First Solar had cash and cash equivalents of $1.15 billion, long-term debt of $0.33 billion, and current debt of $0.25 billion, indicating strong solvency and supporting capital spending plans of $1.0-$1.5 billion for expansion [4] - Emeren's cash and cash equivalents were $48 million, with long-term debt of $55 million and current debt of $3 million, reflecting a strong liquidity position to fund ongoing projects [5] Industry Trends - The solar industry is expected to continue expanding due to decreasing technology costs and increasing awareness of clean energy benefits, making it an attractive area for investment [6] Production Capacity & Contracts - First Solar's total installed production capacity was approximately 21 GW as of June 30, 2025, with contracts for future sales of 61.9 GW of solar modules valued at $18.5 billion, expected to generate revenue through 2030 [7] - Emeren owned 295 MW of operating solar projects and had a development pipeline of 6,510 MW, along with a total energy storage pipeline of 4,709 MW, indicating strong growth potential [8] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSLR's 2025 earnings implies a growth of 26.2%, with sales expected to improve by 27.6% [14] - For SOL, the 2025 earnings estimate indicates a year-over-year improvement, while the 2026 earnings estimate shows a decline [15] Stock Performance - Over the past three months, FSLR's stock has increased by 44.6%, while SOL's stock has only risen by 0.5% [17] Valuation Metrics - FSLR trades at a forward Price/Sales (P/S F12M) multiple of 3.77X, compared to SOL's 0.88X, making SOL relatively more attractive from a valuation perspective [18] Debt Analysis - FSLR's Long-Term Debt to Capital ratio is 3.70, while SOL's ratio is 14.56, indicating that SOL relies more heavily on debt [21] Conclusion - First Solar is characterized by long-term contracts, capacity expansion, and a solid balance sheet, appealing to investors seeking stability and steady returns [22] - Emeren is focused on growing its solar and storage pipelines, but its smaller scale and reliance on global supply chains present risks [23]