FIRST SOLAR, INC.
For the period ended Jun 30, 2025. Filed Jul 31, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Jun 30, 2025 · Filed Jul 31, 2025
FSLR$201.14+2.7%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-04-29.
0001274494-25-000033
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-06-30; filed 2025-07-31.
0001274494-25-000054
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 29 previous paragraphs and 37 current paragraphs.
17 unchanged; 12 reworded; 8 added; 0 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (8)
Current report
We have received and expect to continue to receive certain financial benefits as a result of tax incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. If these financial benefits vary significantly from our assumptions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Current report
In August 2022, the previous U.S. President signed the IRA into law, which was intended to accelerate the country’s ongoing transition to clean energy. The provisions of the IRA are generally effective for tax years beginning after 2022. We expect to qualify for the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the IRC, which provides certain specified benefits for solar modules and solar module components manufactured in the United States and sold to third parties. For eligible components, the credit is equal to (i) $12 per square meter for a PV wafer, (ii) 4 cents multiplied by the capacity of a PV cell in watts, and (iii) 7 cents multiplied by the capacity of a PV module in watts. Based on the current form factor of our modules, we expect to qualify for a credit of approximately 17 cents per watt for each module produced in the United States and sold to a third party.
Current report
Such credit may be refundable by the IRS or transferable to a third party and is available from 2023 to 2032, subject to phase down beginning in 2030. For example, in June 2025, December 2024, and December 2023, we entered into various agreements for the sales of Section 45X tax credits generated in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. For further information, see Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources.” However, there is no assurance that future sales of tax credits will be available to us on similar or alternative terms or at all. In connection with the sale of Section 45X tax credits, we agree to indemnify the purchasers for certain losses they may suffer, including as a result of any inability to claim all or any portion of the Section 45X tax credits sold, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. If we are required to make an indemnification payment to a purchaser of a tax credit it may have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, the current U.S. presidential administration and control of the U.S. Congress present uncertainty as to the continued availability of certain benefits. For example, on January 20, 2025, the U.S. President issued the executive order entitled, “Unleashing American Energy,” which, among other things, indicated a lack of support for federal funding of certain solar and solar-related projects. Further, on July 4, 2025, the U.S. President signed H.R.1 into law, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which significantly curtails the availability of clean energy tax credits.
Current report
Certain developments to technical guidance and regulations include the following:
Current report
•In March 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS issued final regulations on the direct payment election under Section 6417 of the IRC. The final regulations apply to tax years ending on or after March 11, 2024, but taxpayers may choose to apply the rules in the final regulations in taxable years ending before March 11, 2024, provided the final regulations are applied in their entirety and in a consistent manner. The final regulations mostly adopted and confirmed the proposed regulations previously issued in June 2023.
Current report
•In April 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS issued final regulations on the elective transfer provisions under Section 6418 of the IRC. The final regulations apply to taxable years ending on or after April 30, 2024, but taxpayers may choose to apply the rules in the final regulations in taxable years ending before April 30, 2024, provided the final regulations are applied in their entirety and in a consistent manner. The final regulations mostly adopted and confirmed the proposed regulations previously issued in June 2023.
Current report
•In October 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS issued final regulations on the Section 45X credit confirming key aspects of the credit, including (i) that a vertically-integrated solar module manufacturer is entitled to the sum of the credit amounts for each eligible component that is integrated into the solar module, (ii) the determination of the credit amounts based on standard test conditions, and (iii) the definition of a Section 45X manufacturing facility.
Current report
Any modifications to the law or its effects arising, for example, through (i) technical guidance and regulations from the IRS and U.S. Treasury Department, including the certain aspects disclosed above, (ii) subsequent amendments to or interpretations of the law by the IRS, the U.S. Treasury Department, or the courts, (iii) future laws or regulations rendering certain provisions of the IRA less effective or ineffective, in whole or in part, and/or (iv) changes to U.S. government priorities, policies, and/or initiatives as a result of the current U.S. presidential administration and control of the U.S. Congress, could result in changes to the expected and/or actual benefits in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on demand and/or price levels for our solar modules, our net sales, and future expansion plans within the United States, and/or otherwise adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Reworded paragraphs (12)
Previous wording
Although we believe that solar energy will experience widespread adoption in those applications where it competes economically with traditional forms of energy without any incentive programs, in certain markets our net sales and profits remain subject to variability based on the availability and size of government subsidies and economic incentives. Federal, state, and local governmental bodies in many countries have provided subsidies in the form of feed-in-tariff structures, rebates, tax incentives, and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators, and manufacturers of PV solar products. Many of these incentive programs expire, phase down over time, require renewal by the applicable authority, or may be amended. To the extent government incentive programs are reduced earlier than previously expected, are changed retroactively, or are not renewed, such changes could negatively impact demand and/or price levels for our solar modules, lead to a reduction in our net sales, and adversely impact our operating results.
Current wording
Although we believe that solar energy will experience widespread adoption in those applications where it competes economically with traditional forms of energy without any incentive programs, in certain markets our net sales and profits remain subject to variability based on the availability and size of government subsidies and economic incentives. Federal, state, and local governmental bodies in many countries have provided subsidies in the form of feed-in-tariff structures, rebates, tax incentives, and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators, and manufacturers of PV solar products. Many of these incentive programs expire, phase down over time, require renewal by the applicable authority, or may be amended. To the extent government incentive programs are reduced earlier than previously expected, are changed retroactively, or are not renewed, such changes have and could negatively impact demand and/or price levels for our solar modules, lead to a reduction in our net sales, and adversely impact our operating results.
Previous wording
Current regulatory policies, or any future changes or threatened changes to such policies, including those changes as a result of the presidential administration and control of the U.S. Congress, may subject us to significant risks, including the following:
Current wording
Current regulatory policies, or any future changes or threatened changes to such policies, including those changes as a result of the U.S. presidential administration and control of the U.S. Congress, may subject us to significant risks, including the following:
Previous wording
•any limitations on the value or availability to manufacturers or potential investors of tax incentives that benefit solar energy production, sales, or projects, such as the Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit, ITC, and PTC, could result in reducing such manufacturers’ or investors’ economic returns and could cause a reduction in the availability of financing, thereby reducing demand for PV solar modules;
Current wording
•any limitations on the value or availability to manufacturers or potential investors of tax incentives that benefit solar energy production, sales, or projects, such as the Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit, ITC, and PTC, as seen in the accelerated termination of certain clean energy tax credits under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” the U.S. President signed into law on July 4, 2025, could result in reducing such manufacturers’ or investors’ economic returns and could cause a reduction in the availability of financing, thereby reducing demand for PV solar modules;
Previous wording
•any tariffs that reduce the profitability of contracts, whereby the cost of tariffs exceeds the amount able to be, or willing to be, absorbed by either First Solar or the customer under the provisions of the contract and may lead to First Solar or the customer cancelling such contract, potentially resulting in the reduction of future revenue, the loss of the contractual right to a termination payment from the customer, and potentially the required return of a previously received customer down payment;
Current wording
•any tariffs that reduce the profitability of contracts, whereby the cost of tariffs exceeds the amount able to be, or willing to be, absorbed by either us or the customer under the provisions of the contract and may lead to us or the customer cancelling such contract, potentially resulting in the reduction of future revenue, the loss of the contractual right to a termination payment from the customer, and potentially the required return of a previously received customer down payment;
Previous wording
•United States — Reciprocal Tariffs. On April 2, 2025, the U.S. President announced a 10% “baseline” reciprocal tariff on nearly all U.S. trading partners, effective April 5, 2025, and additional, higher reciprocal tariffs on specific countries, effective April 9, 2025. On April 9, 2025, the U.S. President paused the additional, higher tariffs on most countries for 90 days. However, the U.S. President raised the tariff on China. As of April 16, 2025, the 10% “baseline” reciprocal tariff applies to all countries other than China, Canada, Mexico, and countries listed under “Column 2” of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, such as Russia and North Korea. As it pertains to the countries where we manufacture solar modules, the additional, country-specific tariffs would have applied to Vietnam, India, and Malaysia. If the additional, higher tariffs on imports from these countries go into effect, it would increase the costs of our solar modules manufactured in these countries with respect to our U.S. market. Further, such circumstances may impact our ability to sell certain modules into the United States and therefore may also impact the operational status of certain of our international manufacturing facilities. As a result, our operating results could be adversely impacted if these tariffs are imposed.
Current wording
•United States — Reciprocal Tariffs. On April 2, 2025, the U.S. President announced a 10% “baseline” reciprocal tariff on nearly all U.S. trading partners, effective April 5, 2025, and additional, higher reciprocal tariffs on specific countries, effective April 9, 2025. On April 9, 2025, the U.S. President paused the additional, higher tariffs on most countries for 90 days. Effective May 14, 2025, the United States entered into an agreement with China to lower the reciprocal tariff rate to 10% for 90 days (i.e., until August 12, 2025). As of April 16, 2025, the 10% “baseline” reciprocal tariff applies to all countries other than Canada, Mexico, and countries listed under “Column 2” of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, such as Russia and North Korea. As it pertains to the countries where we manufacture solar modules, the additional, country-specific tariffs would have applied to Vietnam, India, and Malaysia. On July 2, 2025, the U.S. President announced that the United States and Vietnam had reached a preliminary trade agreement, which purportedly places a 20% tariff on all products of Vietnam and a 40% tariff on all “transshipped” goods. On July 7, 2025, the U.S. President paused the additional, higher tariffs on most countries until August 1, 2025, at which time certain revised, final reciprocal tariffs are expected to be effective. If the additional, higher tariffs on imports from these countries go into effect, it would increase the costs of our solar modules manufactured in these countries with respect to our U.S. market. Further, such circumstances may impact our ability to sell certain modules into the United States and therefore may also impact the operational status of certain of our international manufacturing facilities. As a result, our operating results could be adversely impacted if these tariffs are imposed.
Previous wording
•United States — Tariffs on Certain Imported Crystalline Silicon PV Cells and Modules. The United States currently imposes different types of tariffs and/or other trade remedies on certain imported crystalline silicon PV cells and modules from various countries. In February 2022, the previous U.S. President proclaimed a four-year extension of a global safeguard measure imposed pursuant to Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 that provides for tariffs on imported crystalline silicon solar modules and a tariff-rate quota on imported crystalline silicon solar cells. Thin film solar cell products, such as our CdTe technology, are specifically excluded from the tariffs. The extension measure’s tariff rate was originally set at 14.75%, with annual reductions of 0.25 percentage points over the remainder of its four-year term. The current rate is 14.25%. The extension measure also provides an annual tariff-rate quota, whereby tariffs apply to imported crystalline silicon solar cells above the first 5.0 GW of imports.
Current wording
•United States — Tariffs on Certain Imported Crystalline Silicon PV Cells and Modules. The United States currently imposes different types of tariffs and/or other trade remedies on certain imported crystalline silicon PV cells and modules from various countries. In February 2022, the previous U.S. President proclaimed a four-year extension of a global safeguard measure imposed pursuant to Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 that provides for tariffs on imported crystalline silicon solar modules and a tariff-rate quota on imported crystalline silicon solar cells. Thin film solar cell products, such as our CdTe technology, are specifically excluded from the tariffs. The extension measure’s tariff rate was originally set at 14.75%, with annual reductions of 0.25 percentage points over the remainder of its four-year term. The current rate is 14%. The extension measure also provides an annual tariff-rate quota, whereby tariffs apply to imported crystalline silicon solar cells above the first 5.0 GW of imports. In August 2024, the previous U.S. President increased the tariff-rate quota from 5.0 GW to 12.5 GW.
Previous wording
•United States — Additional Tariffs on Certain Chinese Imports. The United States currently imposes tariffs on various articles imported from China, including tariffs of 50% on crystalline silicon solar cells and tariffs of 25% on modules, based on an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. In February 2025, the U.S. President announced an additional 10% tariff on all imports from China, which is related to the national security threat posed by China’s trade in fentanyl and other illegal narcotics. This 10% tariff was subsequently doubled to 20% in March 2025 and applies in addition to the 25% tariffs under Section 301 and ordinary customs duties and AD/CVDs. Further, as discussed above, effective April 2025, the United States imposed an additional reciprocal tariff on China. Our operating results could be adversely impacted if these tariffs were to be terminated or reduced.
Current wording
•United States — Additional Tariffs on Certain Chinese Imports. The United States currently imposes tariffs on various articles imported from China, including tariffs of 50% on crystalline silicon solar cells and tariffs of 25% on modules, based on an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. In February 2025, the U.S. President announced an additional 10% tariff on all imports from China, which is related to the national security threat posed by China’s trade in fentanyl and other illegal narcotics. This 10% tariff was subsequently doubled to 20% in March 2025 and applies in addition to the 25% tariffs under Section 301 and ordinary customs duties and AD/CVDs. Further, as discussed above, in April 2025, the United States imposed an additional reciprocal tariff on China. Effective May 14, 2025, the United States agreed to lower this additional reciprocal tariff rate to 10% for 90 days (i.e., until August 12, 2025). Our operating results could be adversely impacted if these tariffs were to be terminated or reduced.
Previous wording
•United States — Tariffs on Certain Foreign-imported Aluminum and Steel. The United States currently imposes tariffs of 25% on imported aluminum and steel articles under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Such tariffs and policies, or any other U.S. or global trade remedies or other trade barriers, may directly or indirectly affect U.S. or global markets for solar energy and our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Current wording
•United States — Tariffs on Certain Foreign-imported Aluminum and Steel. Effective June 4, 2025, the U.S. President increased tariffs on imported aluminum and steel articles under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 from 25% to 50%. Such tariffs and policies, or any other U.S. or global trade remedies or other trade barriers, may directly or indirectly affect U.S. or global markets for solar energy and our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Previous wording
•United States — Potential Tariffs on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products. On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of processed critical minerals, as well as their derivative products, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The scope of the investigation includes tellurium and other critical minerals used in solar module manufacturing. In addition, the definition of derivative products covered by the investigation is potentially broad. If this investigation results in the imposition of tariffs or import restrictions on critical minerals and/or derivative products, it could negatively impact demand and/or price levels for our solar modules and limit our growth, lead to a reduction in our net sales, or increase our costs, thereby adversely impacting our operating results.
Current wording
•United States — Potential Tariffs on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products. On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of processed critical minerals, as well as their derivative products, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; on July 1, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of polysilicon and its derivatives under the same law. The scope of the investigation includes tellurium and other critical minerals used in solar module manufacturing. In addition, the definition of derivative products covered by the investigation is potentially broad. If this investigation results in the imposition of tariffs or import restrictions on critical minerals and/or derivative products, it could negatively impact demand and/or price levels for our solar modules and limit our growth, lead to a reduction in our net sales, or increase our costs, thereby adversely impacting our operating results.
Previous wording
•United States — Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Traded Solar Products. In April 2024, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes First Solar, filed a set of AD/CVD petitions with the USDOC and the USITC to impose duties on certain unfairly traded solar products from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The investigations could potentially lead to the imposition of AD/CVD orders on such solar products. In June 2024, the USITC issued affirmative preliminary determinations. In October 2024, the USDOC announced preliminary affirmative determinations in the countervailing duty (“CVD”) investigations, finding that silicon solar cells and panels from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are unfairly subsidized at rates ranging from de minimis to nearly 300%, depending on the particular foreign producer. The USDOC has imposed provisional CVDs accordingly. In November 2024, the USDOC announced preliminary affirmative determinations in the AD investigations, providing for certain preliminary dumping rates applicable to solar cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam ranging from de minimis to approximately 270%, depending on the particular foreign producer. On April 21, 2025, the USDOC announced the final determinations in the AD/CVD investigations, with final rates ranging from de minimis to over 3,400%, depending on the particular foreign producer.
Current wording
•United States — Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Traded Solar Products. In April 2024, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes First Solar, filed a set of AD/CVD petitions with the USDOC and the USITC to impose duties on certain unfairly traded solar products from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. On April 21, 2025, the USDOC announced final determinations in the AD/CVD investigations. Final AD/CVD rates ranged from de minimis to over 3,400%, depending on the particular foreign producer. On June 9, 2025, the USITC notified USDOC of its final affirmative determinations in the AD/CVD investigations. AD/CVD orders, including the assessment of AD/CVDs and suspension of liquidation of such products, were issued on June 9, 2025. On July 17, 2025, the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade filed another set of AD/CVD petitions with the USDOC and the USITC to impose duties on unfairly traded crystalline silicon solar products from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The USITC is expected to issue its preliminary determination in September 2025. The USDOC is expected to issue its preliminary countervailing duty determinations in December 2025 and preliminary antidumping duty determinations in February 2026.
Previous wording
•India — Domestic and Foreign Imports. The ALMM was introduced in 2021 as a non-tariff barrier to incentivize domestic manufacturing of PV modules by approving the list of models and manufacturers who can participate in certain solar development projects. The ALMM is approved by the MNRE, and any modifications to the ALMM and its application may affect future investments in solar module manufacturing in India. In April 2024, the government of India reimposed the ALMM, thereby requiring solar project developers to procure qualifying modules from companies on the list, which includes our Indian manufacturing facility. Also in April 2024, the ALMM was amended to include specific minimum conversion efficiency thresholds for CdTe solar technologies starting at 18% for solar lighting, 18.5% for rooftop applications, and 19% for utility-scale applications. In December 2024, the ALMM was amended to require nearly all solar development projects to use PV modules that contain domestically manufactured solar cells, which is expected to be effective for such projects completed on or after June 2026. Our operating results could be adversely impacted if the ALMM requirements are significantly relaxed to allow modules, solar cells, or certain other key module components to be imported from other countries.
Current wording
•India — Domestic and Foreign Imports. The ALMM was introduced in 2021 as a non-tariff barrier to incentivize domestic manufacturing of PV modules by approving the list of models and manufacturers who can participate in certain solar development projects. The ALMM is approved by the MNRE, and any modifications to the ALMM and its application may affect future investments in solar module manufacturing in India. In April 2024, the government of India reimposed the ALMM, thereby requiring solar project developers to procure qualifying modules from companies on the list, which includes our Indian manufacturing facility. Also in April 2024, the ALMM was amended to include specific minimum conversion efficiency thresholds for CdTe solar technologies starting at 18% for solar lighting, 18.5% for rooftop applications, and 19% for utility-scale applications. In December 2024, the ALMM was amended to require nearly all solar development projects to use PV modules that contain domestically manufactured solar cells, which is expected to be effective for such projects completed on or after June 2026. In May 2025, the ALMM was amended to lower the minimum efficiency thresholds for PV modules used in off-grid applications. Our operating results could be adversely impacted if the ALMM requirements are significantly relaxed to allow modules, solar cells, or certain other key module components to be imported from other countries.
Previous wording
Third parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results. Policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult and expensive. Additionally, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. For example, on February 25, 2025, we filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against JinkoSolar and its related entities alleging infringement of certain of our U.S. TOPCon patents. On April 15, 2025, Mundra Solar PV Limited, whose parent corporation is Adani Green Technology Limited, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware seeking a judgment declaring that it has not infringed two of our U.S. TOPCon patents. We cannot ensure that the outcome of such litigation will be in our favor, and such litigation may be costly and may divert management attention and other resources away from our business. An adverse determination in any such litigation may impair our intellectual property rights and may harm our business, prospects, and reputation. In addition, we have no insurance coverage against such litigation costs and would have to bear all costs arising from such litigation to the extent we are unable to recover them from other parties.
Current wording
Third parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results. Policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult and expensive. Additionally, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. For example, on February 25, 2025, we filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against JinkoSolar and its related entities alleging infringement of certain of our U.S. TOPCon patents. On April 15, 2025, Mundra, whose parent corporation is Adani Green Technology Limited, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware seeking a judgment declaring that it has not infringed two of our U.S. TOPCon patents. Further, on May 9, 2025, we filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Canadian Solar and its related entities alleging infringement of certain of our U.S. TOPCon patents. We cannot ensure that the outcome of such litigation will be in our favor, and such litigation may be costly and may divert management attention and other resources away from our business. An adverse determination in any such litigation may impair our intellectual property rights and may harm our business, prospects, and reputation. In addition, we have no insurance coverage against such litigation costs and would have to bear all costs arising from such litigation to the extent we are unable to recover them from other parties.