Revenue trend First Solar’s (FSLR) revenue is primarily from turn-key projects, project maintenance, project sales, PV (photovoltaic) module sales to third parties, and PPAs (power purchase agreements) for sale of electricity. In this part, we’ll examine First Solar’s financial performance. As we discussed previously, First Solar has two main business segments: Components and Systems. The design, […]
India’s rising electricity demand According to the EIA’s (U.S. Energy Information Administration) 2017 International Energy Outlook, India’s electricity generation is expected to increase by 3.2% per year through 2040, to meet increasing electricity demand in rural areas. Solar outlook Even though coal is the primary fuel used for electricity generation in India, the focus on renewable […]
The Americas The US PV (photovoltaic) market made up ~83% ($2.9 billion) of First Solar’s (FSLR) revenue. The United States has typically been First Solar’s largest market, and where many of its prominent projects and customers are located. First Solar has completed the construction of Del Sur, a 26 MW (megawatt) solar project in Honduras. It commenced […]
Operating segments Previously, we looked at First Solar’s (FSLR) history. The photovoltaic module manufacturer operates two business segments: Components and Systems. The Components segment First Solar is a manufacturer of solar (TAN) photovoltaic (or PV) modules. First Solar also designs and sells these modules. They manufacture thin-film PVs, in which the semiconductor material used is […]
SunPower expects to incur about $225 million–$275 million in restructuring charges as part of closing its Philippine-based Fab 2 manufacturing facility.
For 3Q16, analysts expect Yingli Solar to report a gross profit of about $31.0 million with a gross margin of about 12.4%, which is in line with the company’s gross margin guidance.
Yingli (or Yingli Solar) (YGE) is set to announce its 3Q16 earnings on December 8, 2016. In this series, we’ll look at analysts’ expectations for Yingli Solar’s 3Q16 earnings.
Trina Solar’s interest expenses have consistently been on the rise over the last two years. For 3Q16, they were $28.6 million compared to $26.0 million in 2Q16.
In 3Q16, Trina Solar (TSL) reported a gross profit of $125.6 million compared to $176.3 million in 2Q16. On a YoY basis, the company’s gross profit fell nearly 9.0%.
Trina Solar (TSL) had a total module shipment guidance of 1.55–1.65 GW (gigawatts) for 3Q16. However, it reported 1.36 GW of total solar (TAN) module shipments.
Trina Solar (TSL) announced its 3Q16 earnings results before market hours on November 23, 2016. In this series, we’ll take a look at the results and compare them with analysts’ expectations.
In October 2013, JA Solar (JASO) launched its high-efficiency monocrystalline Percium modules. These products have a record high conversion efficiency of up to 21%.
Among major upstream solar companies, First Solar (FSLR) has the lowest estimated EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 3.9x for 2016. This is followed by Trina Solar’s (TSL) estimated multiple of 6.9x.
Analysts anticipate a decrease in gross profit and gross margin for Trina Solar. For the coming quarter, analysts anticipate that the company will report about $145 million in gross profit, which would be a ~18% decrease on a quarter-over-quarter basis.
Trina Solar’s interest expenses have consistently been on the rise over the last eight quarters. For 2Q16, interest expenses came in at $26.0 million, compared to $15.5 million in 1Q16 and $13.0 million in 2Q15.
Trina Solar (TSL) had given shipment guidance of 1,500 MW (megawatts) to 1,600 MW for 2Q16. However, the company reported 1,658.3 MW of solar (TAN) module shipments recognized in its revenue for 2Q16.
Yingli Solar’s manufacturing capacity for modules, solar cells, wafers, and ingots stood at 4,000 MW (megawatts), 3,200 MW, 3,000 MW, respectively, at the end of 2015.
According to Yingli Solar’s (YGE) company filings, China (FXI), Japan, and the United States were the top three markets for the company’s solar (TAN) products in 2015.
Four out of 11 analysts covering Trina Solar have rated the stock a “buy.” Six have rated the stock a “hold,” and one recommends a “sell” for the stock.
Government incentives, environment regulations, seasonal changes in demand, and cost factors are among the biggest performance drivers for Trina Solar.
The owners of solar systems are eligible for a maximum tax credit of 30% of the investment value in the applicable solar systems before December 31, 2019.
The Clean Power Plan could set a bigger stage for renewable energy in the energy mix of the United States. Renewable energy could outweigh energy from all fossil fuels combined by 2040.
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) designs its standard modules for residential, commercial, and utility markets. The company offers modules of various power outputs.
The factors that have the greatest impact on Canadian Solar’s (CSIQ) financial performance include government subsidies and economic incentives, industry and seasonal demand, and the cost of inputs.
To measure Canadian Solar ‘s(CSIQ) operating profitability, we took a look at its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA.
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) derives its competitive advantage from its strategic positioning in the downstream market, its broad range of crystalline silicon solar power products, and its technology.
For standard modules, Canadian Solar’s (CSIQ) cells have achieved a similar output to other industry operators and a conversion efficiency in line with industry averages.
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) is vertically integrated across the solar value chain. It’s a Canada-based firm but most of its manufacturing takes place in China.
There’s certainly a lot that’s positive to talk about when it comes to First Solar (FSLR), as we discussed in detail in the previous parts of this series.
While First Solar has traditionally been manufacturing thin-film CdTe modules, which don’t require polysilicon, their prices have fallen in recent years.
First Solar was the first solar power company to join the S&P 500 (SPY). We’ll take a look at the company’s operations before moving on to greater details.
Coal is the cheapest fossil fuel, but it’s also the most polluting. With its massive electricity generation capacity—mainly coal-fired—China emits the most carbon dioxide in the world.