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First Solar FSLR Form 10-Q filing Q1 FY2026

Filed
Apr 30, 2026, 4:05 PM EDT
Fiscal quarter
Q1 FY2026
Calendar quarter
Q1 2026
Accession
0001274494-26-000109

Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to First Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries as “First Solar,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our.” Units of electricity are typically stated in gigawatts (“GW”).

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

In thousands, except per share amounts · Unaudited

View SEC source
Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Production start-up
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Foreign currency loss, net()()
Interest income
Interest expense, net(7,615)(9,525)
Other expense, net()()
Income before taxes
Income tax expense()()
Net income$346,619$209,535
Net income per share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic
Diluted

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

In thousands · Unaudited

View SEC source
Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Net income$346,619$209,535
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments()
Unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities and restricted marketable securities, net of tax of $(74) and $(331)()
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax of $0 and $(87)279
Other comprehensive (loss) income()
Comprehensive income

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In thousands, except share data · Unaudited

View SEC source
Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$2,362,979$2,803,514
Marketable securities
Accounts receivable trade, net1,373,9541,294,040
Government grants receivable, net
Inventories893,878736,734
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Deferred tax assets, net
Restricted marketable securities214,670217,172
Government grants receivable
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Inventories216,989237,462
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$306,834$405,775
Income taxes payable
Accrued expenses
Current portion of debt
Deferred revenue
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability
Long-term debt237,182282,593
Deferred revenue
Other liabilities299,543295,587
Total liabilities3,472,5293,783,317
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 107,453,003 and 107,309,794 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated earnings7,137,9586,791,339
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(168,197)(155,466)
Total stockholders’ equity9,878,5689,537,993
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST SOLAR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2026

View SEC source
Line itemCommon StockSharesCommon StockAmountAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Stockholders' Equity
Balance at December 31, 2025107,310$107$2,902,013$6,791,339$(155,466)$9,537,993
Net income346,619346,619
Other comprehensive loss(12,731)()
Common stock issued for share-based compensation144
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock(1)(174)()
Share-based compensation expense6,861
Balance at March 31, 2026107,453$107$2,908,700$7,137,958$(168,197)$9,878,568
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Common StockAdditionalPaid-InCapitalAccumulated EarningsAccumulatedOtherComprehensive LossTotalStockholders' Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 2024107,060$107$2,898,418$5,263,110$(184,058)$7,977,577
Net income209,535209,535
Other comprehensive income12,990
Common stock issued for share-based compensation284
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock(100)(15,421)()
Share-based compensation expense2,653
Balance at March 31, 2025107,244$107$2,885,650$5,472,645$(171,068)$8,187,334

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

In thousands · Unaudited

View SEC source
Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$346,619$209,535
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Share-based compensation
Deferred income taxes()
Other, net
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade()()
Inventories()()
Government grants receivable(204,926)(99,118)
Other assets()()
Income tax receivable and payable()
Accounts payable and accrued expenses()()
Deferred revenue()()
Other liabilities()
Net cash used in operating activities()()
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment()()
Purchases of marketable securities and restricted marketable securities()()
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities
Other investing activities()
Net cash used in investing activities()()
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings under debt arrangements, net of issuance costs
Repayment of debt()()
Payments of tax withholdings for restricted shares()()
Other financing activities()()
Net cash used in financing activities()()
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents(2,045)1,607
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents()()
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of the period2,814,0311,638,223
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, end of the period$2,376,369$844,020
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Property, plant and equipment acquisitions funded by liabilities
Proceeds to be received from asset-based government grants$140,350$156,900

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST SOLAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

  1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of First Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of First Solar management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Certain prior period balances were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Despite our intention to establish accurate estimates and reasonable assumptions, actual results could differ materially from such estimates and assumptions. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026 or for any other period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2025 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2025 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the SEC.

Unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, the term “condensed consolidated financial statements” refers to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

  1. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash$2,316,986$2,606,319
Money market funds45,993197,195
Total cash and cash equivalents2,362,9792,803,514
Marketable securities:
Time deposits63,58242,562
U.S. debt9,287
Total marketable securities
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 to the total of such amounts as presented in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):

Line itemBalance Sheet Line ItemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$2,362,979$2,803,514
Restricted cash – noncurrentOther assets3,6243,617
Restricted cash equivalents – noncurrentOther assets
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents$2,376,369$2,814,031

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we sold marketable securities for proceeds of million and realized a loss of million on such sales. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our marketable securities.

The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2026

View SEC source
Line itemAmortized CostUnrealized GainsUnrealized LossesFair Value
Time deposits$63,582$63,582
Total

As of December 31, 2025

View SEC source
Line itemAmortized CostUnrealized GainsUnrealized LossesFair Value
Time deposits$42,562$42,562
U.S. debt10,0007139,287
Total

As of March 31, 2026, the contractual maturities of our marketable securities were within one year.

  1. Restricted Marketable Securities

Restricted marketable securities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
U.S. debt$114,416$115,350
Foreign government obligations53,15754,156
Supranational debt28,20428,276
U.S. government obligations18,89319,390
Total restricted marketable securities$214,670$217,172

Our restricted marketable securities represent long-term investments to fund the estimated future cost of collecting and recycling modules covered under our solar module collection and recycling program. We have established a trust under which funds are put into custodial accounts with an established and reputable bank, for which First Solar, Inc.; First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; and First Solar Holdings GmbH are grantors. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, such custodial accounts also included noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents balances of $9.8 million and $6.9 million, respectively, which were reported within “Other assets.” Trust funds may be disbursed for qualified module collection and recycling costs (including capital and facility related recycling costs), payments to customers for assuming collection and recycling obligations, and reimbursements of any overfunded amounts. Investments in the trust must meet certain investment quality criteria comparable to highly rated government or agency bonds. As necessary, we fund any incremental amounts for our estimated collection and recycling obligations on an annual basis based on the estimated costs of collecting and recycling covered modules, estimated rates of return on our restricted marketable securities, and an estimated solar module life of 25 years, less amounts already funded in prior years. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we purchased no restricted securities and $5.0 million of restricted securities, respectively, as part of our ongoing management of the custodial accounts.

See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our restricted marketable securities.

The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2026

View SEC source
Line itemAmortized CostUnrealized GainsUnrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. debt$142,324$27,908$114,416
Foreign government obligations66,07712,92053,157
Supranational debt30,069671,93228,204
U.S. government obligations24,2495,35618,893
Total$262,719$67$48,116$214,670

As of December 31, 2025

View SEC source
Line itemAmortized CostUnrealized GainsUnrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. debt$142,790$27,440$115,350
Foreign government obligations67,09112,93554,156
Supranational debt30,123591,90628,276
U.S. government obligations24,2744,88419,390
Total$264,278$59$47,165$217,172

As of March 31, 2026, the contractual maturities of these securities were between 5 years and 13 years, and restricted marketable securities with unrealized losses had generally been in a loss position for a period of time greater than 12 months. The unrealized losses were primarily due to increases in interest rates relative to rates at the time of purchase, and, based on the underlying credit quality of the investments, we expect to hold such securities until we recover our cost basis.

  1. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details

Accounts receivable trade, net

Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Accounts receivable trade, gross (1)$1,389,038$1,307,307
Allowance for credit losses()()
Accounts receivable trade, net$1,373,954$1,294,040

——————————

(1) See Note 10. “Other Financing Arrangements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our various factoring arrangements.

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Raw materials
Work in process116,066105,325
Finished goods
Inventories
Inventories – current$893,878$736,734
Inventories – noncurrent$216,989$237,462

Other current assets

Other current assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Spare maintenance materials and parts
Indirect tax receivables
Prepaid expenses
Operating supplies
Insurance receivable for accrued litigation (1)
Derivative instruments (2)
Prepaid income taxes
Other
Other current assets

——————————

(1) See Note 11. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our legal proceedings.

(2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.

Property, plant and equipment, net

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Land$39,515$39,578
Buildings and improvements1,926,0711,929,051
Machinery and equipment5,765,6115,746,979
Office equipment and furniture163,787162,070
Leasehold improvements34,12834,136
Construction in progress431,825321,524
Property, plant and equipment, gross
Accumulated depreciation(2,694,690)(2,557,544)
Property, plant and equipment, net

As of March 31, 2026, the recoverability of our property, plant, and equipment was based on certain expectations regarding the ongoing operation of our international manufacturing facilities. However, it is reasonably possible that the operational status of one or more of our international facilities may be adversely affected by geopolitical developments, including trade policies or tariffs, which may result in future decisions to reduce, pause, or cease operations at these facilities. Such decisions may result in certain property, plant, and equipment being sold or otherwise disposed of before the end of their previously estimated useful lives, which, in turn, could result in a decrease in the value, and possible impairment, of this property, plant, and equipment. Accordingly, any such changes to the operational status of our international manufacturing facilities could be material to our condensed consolidated financial statements and have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment was $143.8 million and $122.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Other assets

Other assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Advance payments for raw materials
Lease assets (1)
Income tax receivables
Project assets
Accounts receivable, trade
Prepaid expenses15,77517,180
Restricted cash equivalents
Restricted cash3,6243,617
Other (2)
Other assets

——————————

(1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements.

(2) During 2023, we entered into a power purchase agreement with Cleantech Solar (“Cleantech”), a leading provider of renewable energy solutions in India and Southeast Asia, and Cleantech committed to construct certain photovoltaic (“PV”) solar and wind power-generating assets to supply electricity to our manufacturing facility in India.

During 2024, we purchased ownership interests in two subsidiaries of Cleantech. These subsidiaries own certain of the power-generating assets that supply electricity to our facility, and we account for our investments in these subsidiaries using the equity method. As of March 31, 2026, the carrying amount of our investments in these subsidiaries was $6.9 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we purchased $1.2 million and $0.1 million of electricity, respectively, from these subsidiaries.

Accrued expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Accrued property, plant and equipment
Product warranty liability (1)
Accrued inventory
Accrued other taxes
Accrued freight
Accrued compensation and benefits
Other
Accrued expenses

——————————

(1) See Note 11. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our product warranties.

Other current liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Accrued litigation (1)
Lease liabilities (2)
Derivative instruments (3)
Other
Other current liabilities

——————————

(1) See Note 11. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our legal proceedings.

(2) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements.

(3) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.

Other liabilities

Other liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025
Lease liabilities (1)
Deferred tax liabilities, net
Other taxes payable
Product warranty liability (2)
Other
Other liabilities$299,543$295,587

——————————

(1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements.

(2) See Note 11. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our product warranties.

  1. Government Grants

Government grants represent benefits provided by federal, state, or local governments that are outside the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740; we account for such grants under ASC 832. We recognize government grants when it is probable we will comply with the grant’s conditions and the grant will be received. Government grants whose primary condition relates to the purchase, construction, or acquisition of a long-lived asset are accounted for using the cost accumulation approach and are recognized as a reduction to the related asset’s cost basis, which reduces future depreciation expense. Other government grants not related to long-lived assets are considered income-related grants and are recognized as a reduction to the related cost of activities that generated the benefit.

In February 2021, the state government of Tamil Nadu, India granted First Solar certain incentives associated with the construction of our manufacturing facility in the state. Among other things, such incentives provided a 24% subsidy for eligible capital expenditures, contingent upon meeting certain minimum investment and employment commitments. We expect to receive the subsidy in six annual installments following the completion of the associated application and review process, which we expect to complete in 2026. Such incentives are reflected on our condensed consolidated balance sheets within “Government grants receivable, net” and “Government grants receivable,” depending on the expected timing of cash receipts. There were no amounts recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2026 related to government grants accounted for using the cost accumulation approach.

The following table presents the benefits recognized from income-related government grants in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):

Income Statement Line ItemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Cost of sales$418,033$301,820
Selling, general and administrative2533
Research and development1491,844

In August 2022, the previous U.S. President signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”). Among other things, the IRA offers a tax credit, pursuant to Section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), for solar modules and solar module components manufactured in the United States and sold to third parties. Such credit may be refundable by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or transferable to a third party and is available from 2023 to 2032, subject to phase down beginning in 2030. 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 believe we qualify for a credit of approximately 17 cents per watt for each module produced in the United States and sold to a third party. We recognize such credit as a reduction to “Cost of sales” in the period the modules are sold to customers. Such credit is also reflected on our condensed consolidated balance sheets within “Government grants receivable, net” and “Government grants receivable,” depending on the expected timing of cash receipts.

In December 2024, we entered into two agreements for the sale of $857.2 million of Section 45X tax credits we generated during 2024 for aggregate cash proceeds of $818.6 million. We received initial cash proceeds of $616.0 million in December 2024 and received the remaining cash proceeds of $202.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2025.

In June 2025 and July 2025, we entered into two agreements for the sale of $701.9 million of Section 45X tax credits we generated during 2025 for aggregate cash proceeds of $668.1 million. We received the full cash proceeds during the year ended December 31, 2025.

In October 2025, we entered into two agreements for the sale of $699.7 million of Section 45X tax credits we generated during 2025 for aggregate cash proceeds of $668.2 million. We received initial cash proceeds of $573.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 and received the remaining cash proceeds of $95.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we received $117.6 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury related to Section 45X tax credits generated during 2024.

  1. Derivative Financial Instruments

As a global company, we are exposed in the normal course of business to various risks, including foreign currency and commodity price risks, that could affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. We may use derivative instruments to hedge against these risks and do not hold such instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

Depending on the terms of the specific derivative instruments and market conditions, some of our derivative instruments may be assets and others liabilities at any particular balance sheet date. We report all of our derivative instruments at fair value and account for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments within “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” if the derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. For those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting (i.e., “economic hedges”), we record the changes in fair value directly to earnings. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the techniques we use to measure the fair value of our derivative instruments.

The following tables present the fair values of derivative instruments included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31, 2026Other Current AssetsOther Current Liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange forward contracts$15,735$3,149
Total derivative instruments$15,735$3,149
Line itemDecember 31, 2025Other Current AssetsOther Current Liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange forward contracts$4,001$2,357
Total derivative instruments$4,001$2,357

The following table presents the pretax amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive loss and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemCommodity Swap ContractsCommodity Swap Contracts
Balance as of December 31, 2024$(366)
Amount reclassified to cost of sales366
Balance as of March 31, 2025$

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments not designated as hedges on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemIncome Statement Line ItemAmount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income StatementThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income StatementThree Months Ended March 31, 2025
Foreign exchange forward contractsForeign currency loss, net$21,116$(3,483)

Foreign Currency Risk

Many of our subsidiaries have assets and liabilities (primarily receivables, deferred taxes, payables, accrued expenses, debt, and solar module collection and recycling liabilities) that are denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. Changes in the exchange rates between the functional currencies of our subsidiaries and the other currencies in which these assets and liabilities are denominated will create fluctuations in our reported condensed consolidated statements of operations. We may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts or other financial instruments to economically hedge assets and liabilities against the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations. The gains and losses on such foreign exchange forward contracts will economically offset all or part of the transaction gains and losses that we recognize in earnings on the related foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

We also enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to economically hedge balance sheet and other exposures related to transactions between certain of our subsidiaries and transactions with third parties. Such contracts are considered economic hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, we recognize gains or losses from the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the fair value of these derivative contracts in “Foreign currency loss, net” on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the U.S. dollar equivalent notional values of our foreign exchange forward contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting were $414.5 million and $446.0 million, respectively, including contracts in Indian rupee, Euro, and Malaysian ringgit, among other currencies.

Commodity Price Risk

From time to time, we have used commodity swap contracts to mitigate our exposure to commodity price fluctuations for certain raw materials used in the production of our modules. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we entered into various commodity swap contracts to hedge a portion of our forecasted cash flows for purchases of steel between April 2024 and December 2024. Such swaps had an aggregate initial notional value based on short tons of forecasted steel purchases, equivalent to $7.6 million, and entitled us to receive the price based on the U.S. Midwest Hot-Rolled Coil Steel Index while requiring us to pay certain fixed prices. The notional amount of the commodity swap contracts proportionately adjusted with forecasted purchases of steel.

These commodity swap contracts qualified for accounting as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815, and we designated them as such. We reported unrealized gains or losses on such contracts in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” and subsequently reclassified applicable amounts into earnings when the hedged transactions occurred and impacted earnings. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had no outstanding cash flow hedges.

  1. Leases

Our lease arrangements include our corporate and administrative offices, certain warehouses, certain land for our manufacturing facilities, and certain of our manufacturing equipment. Such leases primarily relate to assets located in the United States, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam.

The following table presents certain quantitative information related to our lease arrangements for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 20262025
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$674$398
Interest on lease liabilities658532
Operating lease cost5,2044,115
Variable lease cost
Short-term lease cost518274
Total lease cost
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of:
Operating lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities1,008465
Lease assets obtained in exchange for:
Operating lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities
Line itemMarch 31, 2026Operating LeasesMarch 31, 2026Finance LeasesDecember 31, 2025Operating LeasesDecember 31, 2025Finance Leases
Lease assets
Lease liabilities – current13,48715,183
Lease liabilities – noncurrent38,84834,920
Weighted-average remaining lease term12 years22 years12 years24 years
Weighted-average discount rate%%%%

As of March 31, 2026, the future payments associated with our lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

Line itemOperating LeasesFinance Leases
Remainder of 2026$15,121$3,572
202714,192
202813,746
202912,001
203010,367
2031
Thereafter
Total future payments
Less: interest()()
Total lease liabilities
  1. Fair Value Measurements

The following is a description of the valuation techniques that we use to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities that we measure and report at fair value on a recurring basis:

  • Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, our cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents consisted of money market funds. We value our cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for securities with identical characteristics and classify the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 1.
  • Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, our marketable securities consisted of time deposits and U.S. debt, and our restricted marketable securities consisted of U.S. debt, foreign and U.S. government obligations, and supranational debt. We value our marketable securities and restricted marketable securities using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for securities with identical characteristics or quoted prices for securities with similar characteristics and other observable inputs (such as interest rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals). Accordingly, we classify the valuation techniques that use these inputs as either Level 1 or Level 2 depending on the inputs used. We also consider the effect of our counterparties’ credit standing in these fair value measurements.
  • Derivative Assets and Liabilities. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, our derivative assets and liabilities consisted of foreign exchange forward contracts involving major currencies. Since our derivative assets and liabilities are not traded on an exchange, we value them using standard industry valuation models. As applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs, including credit risk, foreign exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies. These inputs are observable in active markets over the contract term of the derivative instruments we hold, and accordingly, we classify the valuation techniques as Level 2. In evaluating credit risk, we consider the effect of our counterparties’ and our own credit standing in the fair value measurements of our derivative assets and liabilities, respectively.

At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingQuoted Pricesin Active Markets for Identical Assets(Level 1)Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingSignificant Other Observable Inputs(Level 2)Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingSignificant Unobservable Inputs(Level 3)
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds$45,993$45,993
Restricted cash equivalents:
Money market funds9,7669,766
Marketable securities:
Time deposits63,58263,582
Restricted marketable securities214,670214,670
Derivative assets15,73515,735
Total assets$349,746$119,341$230,405
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities$3,149$3,149
Total liabilities$3,149$3,149
Line itemDecember 31,2025Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingQuoted Pricesin Active Markets for Identical Assets(Level 1)Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingSignificant Other Observable Inputs(Level 2)Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingSignificant Unobservable Inputs(Level 3)
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds$197,195$197,195
Restricted cash equivalents:
Money market funds6,9006,900
Marketable securities:
Time deposits42,56242,562
U.S. debt9,2879,287
Restricted marketable securities217,172217,172
Derivative assets4,0014,001
Total assets$477,117$246,657$230,460
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities$2,357$2,357
Total liabilities$2,357$2,357

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments not measured at fair value were as follows (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31, 2026Carrying ValueMarch 31, 2026Fair ValueDecember 31, 2025Carrying ValueDecember 31, 2025Fair Value
Assets:
Government grants receivable – noncurrent$537,583$513,660$125,607$104,391
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)$328,201$337,267$373,651$382,318

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(1) Excludes unamortized issuance costs and debt arrangements with an original maturity of less than one year.

The carrying values in our condensed consolidated balance sheets of our trade accounts receivable, restricted cash, current government grants receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and debt arrangements with an original maturity of less than one year approximated their fair values due to their nature and relatively short maturities; therefore, we excluded them from the foregoing table. The fair value measurements for our noncurrent government grants receivable and long-term debt are considered Level 2 measurements under the fair value hierarchy.

Credit Risk

We have certain financial instruments that subject us to credit risk. These consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, restricted cash, restricted cash equivalents, restricted marketable securities, and foreign exchange forward contracts. We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our financial instruments. We place these instruments with various high-quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit risk from any one counterparty and we monitor the credit standing of these counterparty financial institutions. Our net sales are primarily concentrated among a limited number of customers. We monitor the financial condition of our customers and perform credit evaluations whenever considered necessary.

We typically require some form of payment security from our customers, including, but not limited to, advance payments, parent guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, or surety bonds.

  1. Debt

Our debt arrangements consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Loan AgreementCredit FacilityCurrencyUSDBalance (USD) · March 31,2026$Balance (USD) · March 31,2026Balance (USD) · December 31,2025$Balance (USD) · December 31,2025
India Credit FacilityUSD328,201373,651
India Credit Agricole Working Capital FacilityINR44,38441,157
India JPM Working Capital FacilityINR30,11826,140
India Citibank Working Capital FacilityINR23,24911,123
India HSBC Working Capital FacilityINR46,719
Total debt principal
Less: unamortized issuance costs(176)(218)
Total debt425,776498,572
Less: current portion()()
Noncurrent portion$237,182$282,593

Credit Facility

In June 2023, we entered into a credit agreement with several financial institutions as lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, which provided us with a senior secured credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $1.0 billion. In February 2026, we entered into a new credit agreement with several financial institutions as lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and terminated the prior Revolving Credit Facility. This new agreement provides us with a senior unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $1.5 billion and a sub-limit of $450 million, $150 million of which is currently committed and available for the issuance of letters of credit. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, (i) the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“Term SOFR”), plus a margin that ranges between 1.00% to 1.75% or (ii) an alternate base rate as defined in the credit agreement, plus a margin that ranges from 0.00% to 0.75%. The margins are based on our net leverage ratio or, if we elect to switch to a credit ratings-based system after the investment grade ratings trigger date occurs (as defined in the credit agreement), on our public debt rating.

In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Credit Facility, we are required to pay an unused commitment fee that ranges from 0.100% to 0.225% per annum based on the same factors discussed above and the daily unused commitments under the facility. We are also required to pay (i) a letter of credit fee based on the applicable margin for Term SOFR, (ii) letter of credit fronting fees as agreed by us and such issuing lender, and (iii) other customary letter of credit fees.

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had no outstanding debt or letters of credit under our Credit Facility and Revolving Credit Facility, respectively.

India Credit Facility

In July 2022, FS India Solar Ventures Private Limited (“FSISV”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a finance agreement (the “India Credit Facility”) with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation for aggregate borrowing of up to $500.0 million for the development and construction of a solar module manufacturing facility in India. Principal on the India Credit Facility is payable in scheduled semi-annual installments beginning in August 2024 through the facility’s expected maturity in August 2029. The India Credit Facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.

India Credit Agricole Working Capital Facility

In August 2022, FSISV entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “India Credit Agricole Working Capital Facility”) with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, for the issuance of letters of credit, bank guarantees, and overdrafts. In 2024, the India Credit Agricole Working Capital Facility was amended to include certain working capital loans, and during 2025, the facility limit was increased to INR 8.5 billion ($89.8 million). The outstanding balance matures in the second and third quarters of 2026. The India Credit Agricole Working Capital Facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.

India JPM Working Capital Facility

In December 2022, FSISV entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “India JPM Working Capital Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for the issuance of bank guarantees, bonds, and other similar forms of security. In 2023, the India JPM Working Capital Facility was amended to include certain working capital loans of up to INR 6.2 billion ($65.8 million). The outstanding balance matures in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2026. The India JPM Working Capital Facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.

India HSBC Working Capital Facility

In February 2024, FSISV entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “India HSBC Working Capital Facility”) with the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, which provides certain working capital loans of up to INR 8.2 billion ($86.7 million). The India HSBC Working Capital Facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.

India Citibank Working Capital Facility

In August 2024, FSISV entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “India Citibank Working Capital Facility”) with Citibank, N.A. In January 2025, the India Citibank Working Capital Facility was amended to provide certain working capital loans of up to INR 6.4 billion ($67.6 million). The outstanding balance matures in the second and third quarters of 2026. The India Citibank Working Capital Facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.

  1. Other Financing Arrangements

Non-Recourse Factoring

We have entered into various revolving factoring arrangements to sell certain trade receivables to unrelated financial institutions. Transfers under these arrangements, which retained servicing but were without recourse, qualified as true sales under ASC 860.

During the year ended December 31, 2025, we factored $245.7 million under these arrangements and recorded $5.3 million of discounts on factored receivables in “Selling, general and administrative” expense. We also repurchased $27.0 million of previously transferred assets under these arrangements during the year ended December 31, 2025. The trade receivables sold that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2025 were million. Proceeds from the sale of such receivables were classified as operating cash flows, whereas amounts paid to repurchase previously transferred receivables were classified as investing cash flows.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we did not sell any trade receivables under these agreements. There were trade receivables sold that remained outstanding as of March 31, 2026.

Secured Borrowings

During the year ended December 31, 2025, we transferred $492.8 million of trade receivables to a financial institution under a factoring arrangement with recourse, while retaining servicing responsibilities. We did not transfer any trade receivables under this factoring agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2026. Transfers under this arrangement do not meet the criteria for a sale of receivables and are therefore accounted for as secured borrowings.

We record discounts on receivables factored with recourse as interest expense over the term of the respective receivables. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2025, we recorded $6.5 million of interest expense associated with this arrangement. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there were no outstanding liabilities related to this arrangement.

Supplier Finance Program

We participate in a supplier finance program administered by a third-party financial institution. Under this program, suppliers that choose to participate have the option to receive early payment from the financial institution for invoices that we have confirmed as valid. Our contractual payment terms with suppliers are not impacted by their participation in this program. If the supplier participates, we pay the financial institution the full invoice amount on the original due date. We do not pledge assets or provide guarantees under this program. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, our payment obligations outstanding under the supplier finance program were million and million, respectively, which were recorded within “Accounts payable” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

  1. Commitments and Contingencies

Commercial Commitments

During the normal course of business, we enter into commercial commitments in the form of letters of credit and surety bonds to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties. As of March 31, 2026, the issued and outstanding amounts and available capacities under these commitments were as follows (in millions):

Line itemIssued and OutstandingAvailable Capacity
Credit Facility (1)$250.0
Bilateral facilities (2)234.5165.2
Surety bonds140.8144.3

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(1) Our Credit Facility provides us with a committed sub-limit of $250.0 million to issue letters of credit, at a fee based on the applicable margin for Term SOFR loans, a fronting fee, and other customary letter of credit fees.

(2) Of the total letters of credit issued under the bilateral facilities, $1.6 million was secured with cash.

Product Warranties

When we recognize revenue for sales of modules, we accrue liabilities for the estimated future costs of meeting our limited warranty obligations. We estimate our limited product warranty liability for power output and defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions based on return rates for each series of module technology and other factors. We make and revise these estimates based primarily on the number of solar modules under warranty installed at customer locations, our historical experience with and projections of warranty claims, and our estimated per-module replacement costs. We also monitor our expected future module performance through certain quality and reliability testing and actual performance in certain field installation sites. From time to time, we have taken remediation actions with respect to affected modules beyond our limited warranties and may elect to do so in the future, in which case we would incur additional costs. Such potential voluntary future remediation actions beyond our limited warranty obligations may be material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations if we commit to any such remediation actions.

Product warranty activities during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows (in thousands):

Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Product warranty liability, beginning of period
Accruals for new warranties issued4,4622,656
Settlements()()
Changes in estimate of product warranty liability(1,371)(14)
Product warranty liability, end of period
Current portion of warranty liability$56,273$60,662
Noncurrent portion of warranty liability$21,157$14,904

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we identified manufacturing issues affecting certain Series 7 modules manufactured in 2023 and 2024 that may cause the modules to experience premature power loss once installed in the field. Subsequently, we identified the causes of these issues and compiled and evaluated data on the expected impact such issues may have on performance, including collecting samples of module performance data from several locations. We have settled certain of our obligations related to these issues and have continued to engage in settlement discussions with various additional customers. Based on such settlement experience, the estimated number of affected modules, and projections of probable costs to remediate the issues, we believe a reasonable estimate of potential future losses will range from approximately $35 million to $70 million. Within that range, we recorded a specific warranty liability of $47 million as of March 31, 2026, which represents our best estimate of expected future losses related to the identified manufacturing issues. The ultimate loss we will incur will depend on the extent of the premature power loss that is experienced in relation to the obligations under our limited product warranties, as well as any potential additional commitments we may make to remediate the affected modules. As additional information becomes available to us, our estimate of the aggregate losses related to these manufacturing issues may change, and any change in estimate may also result in a change to our product warranty liability.

Indemnifications

In certain limited circumstances, we have provided indemnifications to customers or other parties under which we are contractually obligated to compensate such parties for losses they suffer resulting from a breach of a representation, warranty, or covenant; the resolution of specific matters associated with a solar project’s development or construction; guarantees of a third party’s payment or performance obligations; or any disallowance or lack of the right to claim all or any portion of certain tax credits. For contracts that have such indemnification provisions, we initially recognize a liability under ASC 460 for the estimated premium that would be required by a guarantor to issue the same indemnity in a standalone arm’s-length transaction with an unrelated party. We may base these estimates on the cost of insurance or other instruments that cover the underlying risks being indemnified and may purchase such instruments to mitigate our exposure to potential indemnification payments. We subsequently measure such liabilities at the greater of the initially estimated premium or the contingent liability required to be recognized under ASC 450. We recognize any indemnification liabilities as a reduction of earnings associated with the related transaction.

After an indemnification liability is recorded, we derecognize such amount pursuant to ASC 460 depending on the nature of the indemnity, which derecognition typically occurs upon expiration or settlement of the arrangement, and any contingent aspects of the indemnity are accounted for in accordance with ASC 450. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had accrued indemnification liabilities. Our potential future payments under these indemnifications primarily relate to legislative changes that may adversely affect an entity’s ability to benefit from previously transferred Section 45X tax credits.

Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability

We previously established a module collection and recycling program, which has since been discontinued, to collect and recycle modules sold and covered under such program once the modules reach the end of their service lives. For legacy customer sales contracts that are covered under this program, we agreed to pay the costs for the collection and recycling of qualifying solar modules, and the end-users agreed to notify us, disassemble their solar power systems, package the solar modules for shipment, and revert ownership rights over the modules back to us at the end of the modules’ service lives. Accordingly, we recorded any collection and recycling obligations within “Cost of sales” at the time of sale based on the estimated cost to collect and recycle the covered solar modules.

We estimate the cost of our collection and recycling obligations based on the present value of the expected future cost of collecting and recycling the solar modules, which includes estimates for the cost of packaging materials; the cost of freight from the solar module installation sites to a recycling center; material, labor, and capital costs; and by-product credits for certain materials recovered during the recycling process. We base these estimates on our experience collecting and recycling solar modules and on certain assumptions regarding costs at the time the solar modules will be collected and recycled. In the periods between the time of sale and the related settlement of the collection and recycling obligation, we accrete the carrying amount of the associated liability and classify the corresponding expense within “Selling, general and administrative” expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Our module collection and recycling liability was million and million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. See Note 3. “Restricted Marketable Securities” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information about our arrangements for funding this liability.

Legal Proceedings

During the year ended December 31, 2022, we received several indemnification demands from certain customers, for whom we provided EPC services, regarding claims that such customers’ PV tracker systems infringe, in part, on patents owned by Rovshan Sade (“Plaintiff”), the owner of a company called Trabant Solar, Inc. In January 2023, we were notified by two of our customers that Plaintiff served them with patent infringement complaints, and we have assumed the defense of these claims. We have conducted due diligence on the patents and claims and believe that we will prevail in the actions. After a series of stays of the proceedings, the last of which was lifted on July 14, 2025, the parties have begun responding to their respective discovery demands. Each party has submitted its claim construction filings with the court, and a claim construction hearing took place on February 20, 2026. The court then requested mediation hearings, which took place on April 23, 2026. At this time, we are not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on our financial condition or to estimate the amount or range of possible loss, if any, from these actions.

In April 2019, a subcontractor of First Solar sustained certain injuries while performing work at a former project site and, in May 2019, commenced legal action against a subsidiary of the Company. In June 2023, a jury awarded damages of approximately $51.3 million to the plaintiff. On September 21, 2023, the Superior Court of California for Monterey County ruled, in response to a motion for remittitur filed by the Company, that the damages awarded to the plaintiff were excessive and reduced the award from $51.3 million to $21.8 million. The plaintiff and defendant have appealed and cross appealed varying aspects of the verdict and the remittitur. Accordingly, due to the uncertainty surrounding the multiple decisions and appeals, as of March 31, 2026, we recorded a $21.8 million accrued litigation payable included in “Other current liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We believe the full amount of awarded damages will be covered by our various insurance policies. Accordingly, we also recorded a $21.8 million receivable included in “Other current assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2026. The plaintiff did not accept the reduced award by the court ordered deadline of October 10, 2023. As a result, the $21.8 million award has been vacated, and a new trial is expected to be scheduled. We, in conjunction with our insurance carriers, are challenging the initial verdict in an appellate court, and the plaintiff is cross appealing from the decision to reduce the award, among other issues, stemming from the trial. We filed our initial briefs with the court on December 20, 2024. The plaintiff submitted its briefs on April 23, 2025. The appeal was fully briefed on November 25, 2025. There is no deadline by which the appellate court must issue a ruling.

We are party to other legal matters and claims in the normal course of our operations. While we believe the ultimate outcome of these matters and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, the outcome of such matters and claims is not determinable with certainty, and negative outcomes may adversely affect us.

  1. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

We recognize revenue for module sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of the modules to the customer, which typically occurs upon delivery of the modules to the location specified in the terms of the underlying contract. Our customer contracts generally contain provisions that (i) require us to pay the customer liquidated damages if we fail to deliver modules by scheduled dates or if we fail to deliver modules that meet certain U.S. domestic content requirements and (ii) entitle us to a termination payment if the customer defaults on its contractual obligations and the contract is terminated. For sales of modules imported into the United States, our customer contracts generally include provisions that are intended to mitigate the adverse impact from changes in trade policy, such as tariffs. If a contract is terminated on the basis of these trade policy provisions, such contract would effectively be canceled without liability to either party, resulting in a corresponding reduction in future sales of solar modules related to such contract and the return of any customer deposit under the contract, if applicable.

The following table reflects the changes in our contract liabilities, which we classify as “Deferred revenue,” for the three months ended March 31, 2026 (in thousands):

Line itemMarch 31,2026December 31,2025Three Month Change
Deferred revenue$1,785,567$1,819,404$(2)%

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, our contract liabilities decreased by $33.8 million primarily due to (i) the recognition of revenue for sales of solar modules for which payment was received in prior years, partially offset by (ii) advance payments received or accrued in the current period for future sales of solar modules. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recognized revenue of $104.6 million and $132.8 million, respectively, that was included in the corresponding contract liability balance at the beginning of the periods.

As of March 31, 2026, we had entered into contracts with customers for the future sale of 47.9 GW of solar modules for an aggregate transaction price of billion, which we expect to recognize as revenue through 2030 as we transfer control of the modules to the customers. This volume and transaction price exclude contracts with customers in India for which payment has not been fully secured. This transaction price also excludes estimates of variable consideration associated with (i) future module technology improvements, including enhancements to certain energy related attributes; (ii) sales freight in excess of defined thresholds; (iii) changes to certain commodity prices; (iv) the module wattage committed for delivery; (v) the volume of modules sold that meet certain U.S. domestic content requirements; and (vi) changes to certain tariff structures within a defined threshold, among other things. As a result, the revenue recognized from such contracts may increase or decrease in future periods relative to the original transaction price or may otherwise be impacted if a contract is terminated. These contracts may also be subject to amendments as agreed to by the parties to the contract. These amendments may increase or decrease the volume of modules to be sold under the contract, change delivery schedules, or otherwise adjust the expected revenue under these contracts.

  1. Share-Based Compensation

The following table presents share-based compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Cost of sales$732$344
Selling, general and administrative4,7551,885
Research and development1,294355
Total share-based compensation expense

As of March 31, 2026, we had $33.2 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock and performance units, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.5 years.

In March 2022 and March 2023, the compensation committee of our board of directors approved grants of performance units for key executive officers to be earned over multi-year performance periods, which ended in December 2024 and December 2025, respectively. Vesting of the 2022 and 2023 grants of performance units was contingent upon the specific attainment targets of each grant, which targets included metrics such as contracted revenue, return on capital, cost per watt, production, and operating income metrics. In February 2025, the compensation committee certified the achievement of the vesting conditions applicable to the 2022 grants, which approximated the maximum level of performance. In February 2026, the compensation committee certified the achievement of the vesting conditions applicable to the 2023 grants, which approximated the target level of performance. Accordingly, each participant received one share of common stock for each vested performance unit granted, net of any tax withholdings.

In March 2024 and May 2025, the compensation committee approved additional grants of performance units for key executive officers; such grants are expected to be earned over a multi-year performance period ending in December 2026 and December 2027, respectively. Vesting of the 2024 and 2025 grants of performance units is contingent upon the specific attainment targets of each grant, which targets include metrics such as contracted revenue, production, incremental average selling price, operating margin, and technology development.

Vesting of performance units is also contingent upon the employment of program participants through the applicable vesting dates, with limited exceptions in case of death, disability, a qualifying retirement, or a change-in-control of First Solar. Outstanding performance units are included in the computation of diluted net income per share based on the number of shares that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period.

  1. Income Taxes

In July 2025, the U.S. President signed the budget reconciliation legislation (House of Representatives 1, or “H.R.1”) into law, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” H.R.1 includes significant provisions, such as (i) the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, (ii) modifications to the international tax framework, and (iii) the restoration of favorable tax treatment for certain business provisions. H.R.1 has multiple effective dates, with certain provisions effective in 2025 and others implemented through 2027. The enactment of H.R.1 did not result in a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2022, the previous U.S. President signed into law the IRA, which revised U.S. tax law by, among other things, including a new corporate alternative minimum tax of 15% on certain large corporations, imposing a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and providing various incentives, including the introduction of the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the IRC. The provisions of the IRA are generally effective for tax years beginning after 2022.

In December 2021, the OECD released model rules for a new global minimum tax framework (“Pillar Two”). Certain governments in countries in which we operate have enacted local Pillar Two legislation, with effective dates between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025; such local legislation may include qualified domestic minimum top‑up tax and undertaxed profits rules. We continue to monitor developments related to Pillar Two and evaluate their potential impact on our results of operations.

Our effective tax rate was % and % for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by the relative amounts of advanced manufacturing production credits earned in each period, partially offset by lower relative amounts of income earned in foreign jurisdictions with lower statutory tax rates and higher prior period excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. Our provision for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of % primarily due to the effect of tax law associated with the IRA.

Our Malaysian subsidiary has been granted a long-term tax holiday that expires in 2027. The tax holiday, which generally provides for a full exemption from Malaysian income tax, is conditional upon our continued compliance with certain employment and investment thresholds. We are currently in compliance with such thresholds.

Our Vietnamese subsidiary has been granted a long-term tax incentive that generally provides a full exemption from Vietnamese income tax through 2023, followed by reduced tax rates of 5% through 2032 and 10% through 2036. Such long-term tax incentive is conditional upon our continued compliance with certain revenue and research and development (“R&D”) spending thresholds. We are currently in compliance with such thresholds.

We are subject to audit by federal, state, local, and foreign tax authorities. We are currently under examination in India, Chile, and the United States, along with the States of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. We believe that adequate provisions have been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax examinations cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed by our tax examinations are not resolved in a manner consistent with our expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.

  1. Net Income per Share

The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Basic net income per share
Numerator:
Net income$346,619$209,535
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Diluted net income per share
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Effect of restricted stock and performance units
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share
Net income per share:
Basic
Diluted

There were anti-dilutive shares for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

  1. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2026 (in thousands):

Line itemForeign Currency Translation AdjustmentUnrealized Loss on Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable SecuritiesTotal
Balance as of December 31, 2025$(109,560)$(45,906)$(155,466)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications(11,404)(968)(12,372)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,023)738(285)
Net tax effect(74)(74)
Net other comprehensive loss(12,427)(304)(12,731)
Balance as of March 31, 2026$(121,987)$(46,210)$(168,197)

The following table presents the pretax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):

Comprehensive Income ComponentsIncome Statement Line ItemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Foreign currency translation adjustmentOther expense, net$1,023$(323)
Unrealized loss on marketable securitiesOther expense, net(738)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments:
Commodity swap contractsCost of sales(366)
Total gain (loss) reclassified$()
  1. Segment Reporting

First Solar operates as business, which involves the design, manufacture, and sale of cadmium telluride (“CdTe”) solar modules, which convert sunlight into electricity. As such, we operate as a single operating segment. Third-party customers of this segment include system developers, independent power producers, utilities, commercial and industrial companies, large corporate energy buyers, and other system owners and operators. Our business is managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is also considered our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”).

Although our CODM regularly uses gross profit for key operating decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance, we have concluded that consolidated net income is also used and is the measure of profit or loss required to be disclosed under the provisions of ASC 280 for our single operating segment. Accordingly, we considered whether there were any significant expense categories to disclose and concluded that the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto include the relevant categories regularly provided to our CODM. The measure of segment assets is reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as “Total assets.”

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Net sales100.0%100.0%
Cost of sales53.4%59.2%
Gross profit46.6%40.8%
Selling, general and administrative6.3%6.3%
Research and development6.4%6.2%
Production start-up0.8%2.1%
Operating income33.1%26.2%
Foreign currency loss, net(0.9)%(1.4)%
Interest income2.8%2.2%
Interest expense, net(0.7)%(1.1)%
Other expense, net(0.3)%(0.2)%
Income tax expense(0.7)%(0.9)%
Net income33.2%24.8%

Segment Overview

First Solar operates as one business, which involves the design, manufacture, and sale of CdTe solar modules, which convert sunlight into electricity. As such, we operate as a single operating segment. Our third-party customers include system developers, independent power producers, utilities, commercial and industrial companies, large corporate energy buyers, and other system owners and operators.

Net Sales

We generally price and sell our solar modules on a per watt basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we sold the majority of our solar modules to developers and operators of systems in the United States, and a majority of our module sales were denominated in U.S. dollars, with the remainder primarily sold in India and denominated in Indian rupees. We recognize revenue for module sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of the modules to the customer, which typically occurs upon delivery of the modules to the location specified in the terms of the underlying contract.

The following table shows net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Net sales$1,044,240$844,568$23.6%

Net sales increased $199.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to a 30.9% increase in the volume of modules sold to third parties, partially offset by a lower average sales price per watt, resulting from an increase in the volume of modules sold in India.

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales includes the cost of raw materials and components for manufacturing solar modules, such as glass, transparent conductive coatings, CdTe and other thin film semiconductors, laminate materials, connector assemblies, edge seal materials, and frames or back rails. In addition, our cost of sales includes direct labor for the manufacturing of solar modules and manufacturing overhead, such as engineering, equipment maintenance, quality and production control, and information technology. Our cost of sales also includes depreciation of manufacturing plant and equipment, facility-related expenses, environmental health and safety costs, and costs associated with logistics, warranties, and solar module collection and recycling (excluding accretion).

The following table shows cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Cost of sales$558,109$500,165$11.6%
% of net sales53.4%59.2%

Cost of sales increased $57.9 million, or 11.6%, and decreased 5.8 percentage points as a percent of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. This increase was primarily driven by (i) higher costs of $186.8 million due to an increase in the volume of modules sold and (ii) higher tariffs and duties of $29.8 million. This increase was partially offset by (iii) a higher volume of modules sold qualifying for the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the IRC, which decreased cost of sales by $117.9 million; (iv) decreased logistics costs of $38.5 million, which included lower detention and demurrage charges; and (v) module cost reductions, which decreased cost of sales by $33.3 million.

Gross Profit

Gross profit may be affected by various factors, including the selling prices of our modules, our manufacturing costs, the capacity utilization of our manufacturing facilities, and foreign exchange rates.

The following table shows gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Gross profit$486,131$344,403$41.2%
% of net sales46.6%40.8%

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased 5.8 percentage points to 46.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2026 from 40.8% during the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to (i) lower logistics costs, which included detention and demurrage charges, and (ii) a higher sales mix of modules qualifying for the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the IRC. These increases in gross profit were partially offset by (iii) a lower average sales price per watt.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of salaries and other personnel-related costs, professional fees, insurance costs, and other business development and selling expenses.

The following table shows selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Selling, general and administrative$65,331$53,164$22.9%
% of net sales6.3%6.3%

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to purchases of renewable energy credits related to our commitment to responsible solar manufacturing.

Research and Development

Research and development expense consists primarily of salaries and other personnel-related costs; the cost of products, materials, and outside services used in our R&D activities; and depreciation and amortization expense associated with R&D specific facilities and equipment. We maintain a number of programs and activities to improve our technology and processes in order to enhance the performance and reduce the costs of our solar modules.

The following table shows research and development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Research and development$66,944$52,389$27.8%
% of net sales6.4%6.2%

Research and development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to (i) higher costs related to spare parts purchases as well as higher depreciation expense resulting from our continued investments in R&D facilities and equipment, (ii) higher employee compensation expense resulting from an increase in headcount, and (iii) higher utility charges.

Production Start-Up

Production start-up expense consists of costs associated with operating a production line before it is qualified for commercial production, including the cost of raw materials for solar modules produced during the qualification phase, employee compensation for individuals supporting production start-up activities, and applicable facility-related costs. Production start-up expense also includes costs related to the selection of a new site and implementation costs for manufacturing process improvements to the extent we cannot capitalize these expenditures.

The following table shows production start-up expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Production start-up$8,553$17,606$(51.4)%
% of net sales0.8%2.1%

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we incurred production start-up expense primarily for our sixth manufacturing facility in the United States. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we incurred production start-up expense primarily for our fifth manufacturing facility in the United States.

Foreign Currency Loss, Net

Foreign currency loss, net consists of the net effect of gains and losses resulting from holding assets and liabilities and conducting transactions denominated in currencies other than our subsidiaries’ functional currencies.

The following table shows foreign currency loss, net for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Foreign currency loss, net$(9,063)$(11,593)$(21.8)%

Foreign currency loss, net for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Interest Income

Interest income is earned on our cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted cash, restricted cash equivalents, and restricted marketable securities. Interest income also includes interest earned from late customer payments.

The following table shows interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Interest income$28,862$18,865$53.0%

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to an increase in holdings of cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by a decline in interest rates.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net primarily comprises interest incurred on debt. We may capitalize interest expense to our property, plant and equipment when such costs qualify for interest capitalization, which reduces the amount of net interest expense reported in any given period.

The following table shows interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Interest expense, net$(7,615)$(9,525)$(20.1)%

Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net primarily comprises miscellaneous items and financing fees.

The following table shows other expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Other expense, net$(3,153)$(1,932)$63.2%

Other expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense or benefit, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect our best estimates of current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions in which we operate, principally Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. Significant judgments and estimates are required to determine our consolidated income tax expense. The statutory federal corporate income tax rate in the United States is 21%, and the tax rates in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India are 17%, 24%, 20%, and 17%, respectively. In Malaysia, we have been granted a long-term tax holiday, scheduled to expire in 2027, pursuant to which substantially all of our income earned in Malaysia is exempt from income tax, conditional upon our continued compliance with certain employment and investment thresholds. In Vietnam, we have been granted a long-term tax incentive, scheduled to expire at the end of 2036, pursuant to which income earned in Vietnam is subject to reduced tax rates, conditional upon our continued compliance with certain revenue and R&D spending thresholds.

The following table shows income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Month Change
Income tax expense$(7,715)$(7,524)$2.5%
Effective tax rate2.2%3.5%

Our tax rate is affected by the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X and recurring items such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amounts of income we earn in those jurisdictions. The rate is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given period but are not consistent from period to period.

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2025 despite an increase in income before taxes, primarily due to (i) the relative amounts of advanced manufacturing production credits earned in each period, partially offset by (ii) higher prior period excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of reported assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Some of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment in the selection of the appropriate assumptions for making these estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We base our judgments and estimates on our historical experience, our forecasts, and other available information, as appropriate. We believe the judgments and estimates involved in accrued solar module collection and recycling, product warranties, and government grants have the greatest potential impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. The actual results experienced by us may differ materially and adversely from our estimates. To the extent there are material differences between our estimates and the actual results, our future results of operations will be affected. For a description of the accounting policies that require the most significant judgment and estimates in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. There have been no material changes to our accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2026.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires additional disclosure of specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement. ASU 2024-03 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted, but we do not expect to do so. The disclosure requirements will be applied on a prospective basis, with the option to apply retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2024-03 will have on our associated disclosures.

In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, Government Grants (Topic 832) - Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities, to establish guidance on the recognition, measurement, and presentation of government grants received by business entities, which largely codifies our current approach to accounting for such grants. ASU 2025-10 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2028 and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted, and we adopted this standard on a modified prospective basis effective January 1, 2026. The adoption did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements or associated disclosures.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2026, we believe that our cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, cash flows from operating activities, and contracts with customers for the future sale of solar modules will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months. In addition, we have availability under our Credit Facility, which remains unused as of March 31, 2026, as well as various trade receivables factoring arrangements with financial institutions. For more information about the Credit Facility, see Note 9. “Debt.” To the extent we offer extended payment terms to customers, fail to collect trade receivables in a timely manner, or face other challenges in managing our working capital, we may be required to use our Credit Facility or other temporary sources of funding. As necessary, we also believe we will have adequate access to the capital markets. We monitor our working capital to ensure we have adequate liquidity, both domestically and internationally. We intend to maintain appropriate debt levels based upon cash flow expectations, our overall cost of capital, and expected cash requirements for operations, including near-term expansion activities in the United States. However, our ability to raise capital on terms commercially acceptable to us could be constrained if there is insufficient lender or investor interest due to company-specific, industry-wide, or broader market concerns. Any incremental debt financing could result in increased debt service expenses and/or restrictive covenants, which could limit our ability to pursue our strategic plans.

As of March 31, 2026, we had $2.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities compared to $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by (i) increases in payments made to suppliers, (ii) various operating expenditures, (iii) purchases of property, plant and equipment for our U.S. facilities, and (iv) repayment of debt, partially offset by (v) Section 45X cash receipts from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and (vi) proceeds from the sale of Section 45X tax credits. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, $0.3 billion and $0.5 billion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, respectively, were held by our foreign subsidiaries and were primarily based in U.S. dollar, Euro, and Indian rupee denominated holdings. Our investment policy seeks to preserve our investment principal and maintain adequate liquidity to meet our cash flow requirements, while at the same time optimizing the return on our investments. Pursuant to such policy, we place our investments with a diversified group of high-quality financial institutions and limit the concentration of such investments with any one counterparty. We place significant emphasis on the creditworthiness of financial institutions and assess the credit ratings and financial health of our counterparty financial institutions when making investment decisions.

We use a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed. If certain international funds were needed for our operations in the United States, we may be required to accrue and pay certain U.S. and foreign taxes to repatriate such funds. We maintain the intent and ability to permanently reinvest our accumulated earnings outside the United States, with the exception of certain subsidiaries for which applicable income taxes have been recorded as of March 31, 2026. In addition, changes to foreign government banking regulations may restrict our ability to move funds among various jurisdictions under certain circumstances, which could negatively impact our access to capital, resulting in an adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources.

Our net sales and profits remain subject to variability based on the availability and size of government subsidies and economic incentives. For example, the financial incentives provided by the IRA have significantly increased demand for modules manufactured in the United States, and we expect the benefits made available to us by the IRA to favorably impact our liquidity and capital resources in future periods. 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. 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. Based on the current form factor of our modules, we believe we qualify for a credit of approximately 17 cents per watt for each module produced in the United States and sold to a third party. Accordingly, we expect the advanced manufacturing production credit will provide us with a significant source of funding throughout its remaining period.

In October 2025, we entered into two agreements for the sale of $699.7 million of Section 45X tax credits we generated during 2025 for aggregate cash proceeds of $668.2 million. We received initial cash proceeds of $573.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 and received the remaining cash proceeds of $95.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026. For more information about certain risks associated with the benefits available to us under the IRA, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. See Note 5. “Government Grants” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information about government grants.

As a result of various market opportunities and increased domestic demand for our products, we recently commenced operations at our fifth manufacturing facility in the United States. We are in the process of further expanding our domestic manufacturing capacity, including the construction of our sixth U.S. manufacturing facility to onshore final production processes for modules initiated by our international fleet, which is expected to commence operations in the second half of 2026. We expect our investment in this U.S. facility to be approximately $0.3 billion. The capital expenditures necessary to expand our capacity may be financed, in part, by cash on hand, advance payments from customers for module sales in future periods, and the advanced manufacturing production credit described above.

During 2026, we expect to spend between $0.8 billion and $1.0 billion for capital expenditures, including the new facility mentioned above, investments in various R&D initiatives, and upgrades to machinery and equipment. These capital investments, and any other potential investments to implement our technology roadmap, may require significant internal and possibly external sources of capital, and may be subject to certain risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

We have committed and expect to continue to commit significant working capital to purchase various raw materials used in our module manufacturing process. Our failure to obtain raw materials and components that meet our quality, quantity, and cost requirements in a timely manner could increase our manufacturing costs or interrupt or impair our ability to manufacture our solar modules. Accordingly, we may enter into long-term supply agreements to mitigate potential risks related to the procurement of key raw materials and components, and such agreements may be noncancelable or cancelable with a significant penalty. For example, we have entered into long-term supply agreements for the purchase of certain specified minimum volumes of substrate glass for our PV solar modules. We have the right to terminate certain of these agreements upon payment of specified termination payments (which, in aggregate, are up to approximately $300 million as of March 31, 2026 and decline over the remaining supply periods). Additionally, for certain strategic suppliers, we have made, and may in the future be required to make, certain advance payments to secure the raw materials necessary for our module manufacturing.

We have also committed certain financial resources to fulfill our solar module collection and recycling obligations and have established a trust under which these funds are put into custodial accounts with an established and reputable bank. As of March 31, 2026, such funds were comprised of restricted marketable securities of $214.7 million and associated restricted cash and cash equivalents of $9.8 million. As of March 31, 2026, our module collection and recycling liability was $145.1 million. Trust funds may be disbursed for qualified module collection and recycling costs (including capital and facility related recycling costs), payments to customers for assuming collection and recycling obligations, and reimbursements of any overfunded amounts. Investments in the trust must meet certain investment quality criteria comparable to highly rated government or agency bonds. As necessary, we adjust the funded amounts for our estimated collection and recycling obligations based on the estimated costs of collecting and recycling covered modules, estimated rates of return on our restricted marketable securities, and an estimated solar module life of 25 years, less amounts already funded in prior years.

As of March 31, 2026, we had no off-balance sheet debt or similar obligations, other than financial assurance related instruments, which are not classified as debt. We do not guarantee any third-party debt. See Note 11. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information about our financial assurance related instruments.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes key cash flow activity for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):

Line itemThree Months Ended March 31, 2026Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Net cash used in operating activities$(214,866)$(607,982)
Net cash used in investing activities(148,533)(88,209)
Net cash used in financing activities(72,218)(99,619)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents(2,045)1,607
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents$(437,662)$(794,203)

Operating Activities

The decrease in net cash used in operating activities was primarily driven by higher cash receipts from module sales, including advance payments for future sales, partially offset by higher payments made to suppliers.

Investing Activities

The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to higher net purchases of marketable securities, partially offset by lower purchases of property, plant and equipment for our manufacturing facilities in the United States.

Financing Activities

The decrease in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to lower net repayments of debt and lower payments of tax withholdings for restricted shares in the current period.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no material changes to the information previously provided under Item 7A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2026 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We also carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of our “internal control over financial reporting” as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) to determine whether any changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2026 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there were no such changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2026.

CEO and CFO Certifications

We have attached as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, which are required in accordance with the Exchange Act. We recommend that this Item 4. be read in conjunction with those certifications for a more complete understanding of the subject matter presented.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Control systems, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control systems’ objectives are being met. Further, the design of any system of controls must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of all controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of error or mistake. Control systems can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

JinkoSolar

On February 25, 2025, First Solar filed suit in the district court for the District of Delaware asserting that JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.; Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.; Jinko Solar (Vietnam) Industries Co. Ltd.; Jinko Solar Technology Sdn. Bhd.; Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.; JinkoSolar (U.S.) Holding Inc.; JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc.; Jinko Solar (U.S.) Manufacturing Inc.; and Jinko Solar (U.S.) Industries Inc. (collectively, “JinkoSolar”) directly and indirectly infringe a First Solar patent through JinkoSolar’s manufacture, import, use, sale, and offering for sale of certain tunnel oxide passivated contact (“TOPCon”) solar products. First Solar alleges that the JinkoSolar TOPCon products contain solar cells manufactured using a method claimed in the patent. First Solar seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief. On June 27, 2025, JinkoSolar filed an answer to the complaint and counterclaims asserting that the patent-in-suit is not valid and that it is not infringed by JinkoSolar. On July 18, 2025, First Solar filed an answer to the counterclaims. On April 2, 2026, the case was stayed until the determination of the USITC in Investigation No. 337-TA 1494 becomes final.

On July 18, 2025, JinkoSolar Co. Ltd. filed an inter partes review before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) alleging First Solar’s patent asserted in the District of Delaware litigation (the “’074 Patent”) is invalid over certain prior art. On September 29, 2025, First Solar filed a brief requesting that the inter partes review be discretionarily denied. On November 20, 2025, the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board declined the petition, ending the proceeding.

On December 15, 2025, JinkoSolar filed a petition for an ex parte reexamination of First Solar’s ‘074 patent. On February 3, 2026, the USPTO granted the request for ex parte reexamination. On April 3, 2026, First Solar filed a petition to terminate the ex parte reexamination.

Mundra

On April 15, 2025, Mundra Solar PV Limited (“Mundra”) filed suit in the district court of the District of Delaware seeking declaratory judgment that it does not infringe two of First Solar’s patents (the ’074 Patent and the ’732 Patent) through its manufacture, import, use, sale, and offering for sale of certain TOPCon solar products. On August 1, 2025, First Solar filed an answer to the compliant and pleaded counterclaims alleging that Mundra as well as its affiliates Mundra Solar Energy Ltd., Adani Solar USA Inc., Adani Solar USA LLC, and Adani Solar infringe the two First Solar patents. On September 22, 2025, Mundra filed an answer to First Solar’s counterclaims and added counterclaims asserting that the First Solar patents are invalid. On October 3, 2025, Adani Solar USA Inc. and Adani Solar USA LLC (collectively, “Adani Solar USA”) filed a motion to dismiss First Solar’s counterclaims with respect to Adani Solar USA. On October 8, 2025, First Solar filed an answer to Mundra’s counterclaims. First Solar filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss on October 17, 2025, and Adani Solar USA filed a reply brief on October 24, 2025. On March 27, 2026, the case was stayed until the determination of the USITC in Investigation No. 337-TA 1494 becomes final.

On August 15, 2025, Mundra filed an inter partes review before the USPTO alleging that First Solar’s ’732 Patent is invalid over certain prior art. On October 17, 2025, First Solar filed a brief requesting that the inter partes review be discretionarily denied. On December 11, 2025, the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board declined the petition, ending the proceeding.

On December 19, 2025, Mundra filed a petition for an ex parte reexamination of First Solar’s ‘074 patent. On February 10, 2026, the USPTO granted the request for ex parte reexamination. On April 10, 2026, First Solar filed a petition to terminate the ex parte reexamination.

Canadian Solar

On May 9, 2025, First Solar filed suit in the district court for the District of Delaware asserting that Canadian Solar Inc.; CSI Solar Co., Ltd.; Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; Canadian Solar International Limited; Canadian Solar (USA) Inc.; and Canadian Solar US Module Manufacturing Corporation (collectively, “Canadian Solar”) directly and indirectly infringe a First Solar patent through Canadian Solar’s manufacture, import, use, sale, and offering for sale of certain TOPCon solar products. First Solar alleges that the Canadian Solar TOPCon products contain solar cells manufactured using a method claimed in the patent. First Solar seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief. On August 11, 2025, Canadian Solar filed an answer to the complaint.

On August 22, 2025, Canadian Solar (USA) Inc. filed an inter partes review before the USPTO alleging that First Solar’s ’074 Patent is invalid over certain prior art. On October 24, 2025, First Solar filed a brief requesting that the inter partes review be discretionarily denied. On December 18, 2025, the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board declined the petition, ending the proceeding.

Trina Solar

On February 27, 2026, First Solar filed suit in the district court for the District of Delaware asserting that Trina Solar Co., Ltd.; Trina Solar (U.S.) Inc.; Trina Solar Energy Development Company Ltd.; Trina Solar Science & Technology (Thailand) Ltd.; Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.; and Trina Solar Yiwu Technology Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Trina Solar”) directly and indirectly infringe a First Solar patent through Trina Solar’s manufacture, import, use, sale, and offering for sale of certain TOPCon solar products. First Solar alleges that the Trina Solar TOPCon products contain solar cells manufactured using a method claimed in the patent. First Solar seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief. On March 31, 2026 the case was stayed until the determination of the USITC in Investigation No. 337-TA 1494 becomes final.

USITC Proceeding

On February 24, 2026, First Solar filed a petition with the USITC asserting that entities affiliated with Axitec Solar, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Mundra, Philadelphia Solar, Hanwha QCells, Runergy, Trina Solar, and VSUN (collectively, the “Respondents”) directly and indirectly infringe a First Solar patent through the importation and sale of certain TOPCon solar products. First Solar alleges that the Respondents’ TOPCon solar products contain solar cells manufactured using a method claimed in the patent. First Solar seeks a general exclusion order preventing the importation of infringing TOPCon solar products made by any foreign entity or, in the alternative seeks a limited exclusion order preventing the importation of infringing TOPCon products by the Respondents. In addition, First Solar seeks a cease-and-desist order preventing the sale of infringing TOPCon products that were previously imported. On March 25, 2026, the USITC instituted an investigation, Investigation No. 337-TA 1494, as requested by First Solar’s petition. On April 14, 2026, BYD America LLC (“BYD”) filed a motion to intervene as a respondent in the investigation. On April 27, 2026, BYD’s motion was granted. On April 28, 2026, Tesla filed a motion to intervene as a respondent in the investigation. First Solar is evaluating the motion and preparing a response. The investigation is in the early stages of discovery and Respondents will file responses to the Complaint by May 15, 2026.

Customer Contract Dispute

On September 30, 2025, First Solar filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York asserting that BP Solar Holding LLC and its affiliate Lightsource Renewable Energy Trading, LLC (together, the “Defendants”) breached their contractual obligations with First Solar, having entered into various master supply agreements to purchase solar modules from First Solar and then refusing to pay the amounts owed under the master supply agreements. As a result of the failure to cure such breaches, First Solar terminated the various master supply agreements, which triggered certain contractual termination payment provisions amounting to $384.6 million, of which First Solar recognized $61.0 million in revenue during the quarter related to advance payments previously received from the Defendants. First Solar seeks monetary damages, demanding payment from the Defendants for the remaining termination payments of $323.6 million along with certain other receivables for solar modules previously delivered to the Defendants. The Defendants’ answers to the complaint were filed on December 5, 2025, which included denials of First Solar’s claims and a series of counterclaims related to the performance of modules previously sold to Defendants and claimed breaches of existing contracts. Defendants’ have demanded damages in the amount of $175 million plus the return of $15 million credit support taken by First Solar. We do not believe the Defendants have a legal basis for these counterclaims.

On February 10, 2026, First Solar filed and served a motion seeking dismissal of each of the Defendants’ counterclaims. The Parties have agreed to an extended briefing schedule, and the motion will not be fully briefed until May 2026. A decision is not expected before August 2026.

See Note 11. “Commitments and Contingencies” under the heading “Legal Proceedings” of our condensed consolidated financial statements for other legal proceedings and related matters.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Except for the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The modification, reduction, elimination, or expiration of government subsidies, economic incentives, eligibility limitations, tax incentives, renewable energy targets, and other support for on-grid solar electricity applications, or the impact of other public policies, such as tariffs or other trade remedies imposed on solar cells and modules or related raw materials or equipment, have impacted, and in the future could negatively impact demand and/or price levels for our solar modules and limit our growth or lead to a reduction in our net sales or increase our costs, thereby adversely impacting our operating results.

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 regulatory policies, or any future changes or threatened changes to such policies, may subject us to significant risks, including the following:

  • a reduction or removal of certain energy programs and initiatives and the incentives they provide may diminish the market for future solar energy off-take agreements, slow the retirement of aging fossil fuel plants, including the retirements of coal generation plants, and reduce the ability for solar project developers to compete for off-take agreements, which may reduce PV solar module sales;
  • 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 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;
  • any incentives contingent upon domestic production of modules, such as tax incentives set forth under the IRA, could limit our ability to sell modules manufactured in certain foreign jurisdictions, which may adversely impact our module average selling prices and could require us to record significant charges to earnings should we determine that the manufacturing facilities and equipment in such foreign jurisdictions are impaired; and
  • any effort to overturn federal and state laws, regulations, or policies that are supportive of solar energy generation or that remove costs or other limitations on other types of electricity generation that compete with solar energy projects could negatively impact our ability to compete with traditional forms of electricity generation and materially and adversely affect our business.

Application of trade laws may also adversely impact, either directly or indirectly, our operating results; for example, by impacting our customers’ project costs, profitability, and their demand for our modules; or by impacting our own costs or disrupting our manufacturing or supply chains, and consequently negatively impacting demand and/or price levels for our solar modules, reducing our net sales, or affecting potential profitability of fulfilling customer contracts. We are therefore potentially subject to various risks, which include the following:

  • 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;
  • any reciprocal or other tariffs may place burdens on our customers’ supply chains exclusive of module import costs, including through increased costs of trackers, inverters, transformers, and other imported equipment, which are often heavily dependent on Chinese supply chains. These and other costs could result in an inability for certain projects to generate profitable returns, and may lead to the delay or abandonment of such projects, thereby reducing or removing demand for currently contracted PV module sales; and
  • any reduction in our ability to profitably import modules from our international manufacturing locations as a result of tariffs or other trade laws could lead to us significantly reducing capacity utilization at certain international manufacturing facilities. Such underutilization may lead to potential impairment of certain international equipment and facilities and may also increase our selling costs and reduce our competitiveness in the market, thereby reducing demand for our modules.

In some instances, the application of trade laws is currently beneficial to us, and changes in their application could have an adverse impact. The overall impact of trade laws on our business depends on multiple factors, including their duration, their scope and potential expansion thereof, enforcement, retaliatory measures by impacted exporting countries, inflationary effects and broader macroeconomic responses, changes to consumer purchasing behavior, and the effectiveness of our responses in managing these impacts. Recent developments include the following:

  • United States — IEEPA Tariffs. In 2025, the U.S. President imposed a series of tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners pursuant to the IEEPA. On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs unlawful. President Trump responded immediately by revoking the IEEPA tariff actions and imposing new global tariffs pursuant to Section 122, which provides for tariffs up to 15% for a period of no more than 150 days. The additional, higher tariffs have increased the costs of our solar modules manufactured in these countries with respect to our U.S. market. Further, such circumstances have impacted and may continue to impact our ability to sell certain modules into the United States and therefore may continue to also impact the operational status of certain of our international manufacturing facilities. As a result, our operating results may continue to be adversely impacted by these tariffs.
  • 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 2025, the U.S. President imposed an additional 10% tariff on all imports from China, related to the national security threat posed by China’s trade in fentanyl and other illegal narcotics and a 10% reciprocal tariff on China, effective until November 10, 2026, under IEEPA. On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs unlawful, and President Trump immediately revoked the IEEPA tariff actions, including the additional tariffs on China, and replaced them with a new global tariff pursuant to Section 122. Our operating results could be adversely impacted by revocation of the IEEPA tariffs on China.
  • United States — Port Fees on Certain Chinese Vessel Operators and Chinese Vessel Owners. On April 17, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published a notice of final action based on an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. The action imposes new port fees on Chinese vessel operators and/or Chinese vessel owners as well as on non-Chinese operators of Chinese-origin vessels beginning on October 14, 2025. The level of fees is on a sliding scale per net ton or, in the case of non-Chinese operators, the higher of a net ton or container-based fee. Effective November 10, 2025, however, the United States suspended implementation of such action for one year. Once implemented, such fees may impact our logistics services and consequently impact our profitability and results of operations.
  • United States — Tariffs on Certain Foreign-imported Aluminum, Steel, Copper, Timber and Lumber. Effective June 4, 2025, the U.S. President increased tariffs on imported aluminum and steel articles under Section 232 from 25% to 50%. Effective August 1, 2025, the U.S. President imposed tariffs of 50% on copper under Section 232. Effective October 14, 2025, the U.S. President imposed tariffs of 10% on imported softwood timber and lumber products under Section 232. Effective April 6, 2026, the U.S. President modified the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper to apply at a rate of 50% to the full value of primary metal articles; 25% to the full value of derivative articles; and to remove certain products from the scope of Section 232 tariffs. 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.
  • United States — Potential Tariffs on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products, Polysilicon, Robotics and Industrial Machinery. 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; on July 1, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce initiated a Section 232 investigation to determine whether imports of polysilicon and its derivatives impair

U.S. national security; and on September 2, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of robotics and industrial machinery under Section 232. The scope of these investigations is potentially broad and may cover materials and equipment used in solar module manufacturing. These investigations may result in the imposition of tariffs or import restrictions, or may remove barriers on the imports of competitor products and materials, all of which 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.

  • United States — Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Imported Crystalline Silicon PV Cells and Modules. The United States currently imposes AD/CVDs on certain imported crystalline silicon PV cells and modules from China and Taiwan. Such AD/CVDs can change over time pursuant to annual administrative reviews conducted by the USDOC, and a decline in duty rates or USDOC failure to fully enforce U.S. AD/CVD laws could have an adverse impact on our operating results. In August 2023, the USDOC issued final affirmative circumvention rulings, finding that solar modules completed in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam using parts and components produced in China circumvent the pre-existing AD/CVD orders on China. Such duties apply to circumventing imports on or after June 6, 2024, as well as any circumventing imports prior to that date that were not used or installed on or before December 3, 2024. Our operating results could be adversely impacted if the USDOC and other U.S. government agencies do not enforce the affirmative circumvention rulings as expected or if pending litigation challenges result in a modification of the rulings. Conversely, effective enforcement could positively impact our operating results.
  • 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. In August 2025, the USITC issued affirmative preliminary determinations. The USDOC issued its preliminary countervailing duty determinations in February 2026, calculating subsidy rates of 125.87% for India; up to 143.30% for Indonesia; and 80.67% for Laos. The USDOC issued its preliminary antidumping duty determinations in April 2026, calculating subsidy rates of 123.04% for India, 35.17% for Indonesia, and 22.46% for Laos.
  • 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 August 2025, the relevant list of qualifying entities was released, which included First Solar as an approved manufacturer. In September 2025, the MNRE released draft amendments that would require nearly all solar

development projects to use PV modules that contain domestically manufactured wafers, which is expected to be effective for such projects completed on or after June 2028; the proposed list was released at that time, which included First Solar as an approved manufacturer. In November 2025, the MNRE released a draft proposal that would increase the minimum efficiency of PV modules for manufacturers to be included in the ALMM beginning in 2027. If enacted, the proposal would negatively impact our ability to sell modules within the Indian market. Our operating results could also 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.

  • India — Import Duty Tariffs. In April 2022, the Indian government began imposing import duty tariffs of 40% on solar modules and 25% on solar cells. In connection with such April 2022 tariffs, the Indian government also implemented a regulation mandating that any solar project with federal utility, state utility, or commercial and industrial off-takers that interconnects through government owned transmission lines only use solar modules from manufacturers included in the ALMM, and a requirement that all federal procurement of solar modules be only from cells and modules produced domestically. However, in February 2025, the Indian government began imposing import duty tariffs of 20% each on solar modules and cells and levied additional tax on certain commercial agricultural production, which included a tax of 20% on solar modules and 7.5% on solar cells. Therefore, the aggregate impact on the import of solar modules and cells is 40% and 27.5%, respectively.

These examples show that established markets for PV solar development face uncertainties arising from policy, regulatory, and governmental actions. While the expected potential of the markets we are targeting is significant, policy promulgation and market development are especially vulnerable to governmental inertia, political instability, changing government policy and priorities, the imposition or lowering of trade remedies and other trade barriers, geopolitical risk, fossil fuel subsidization, potentially stringent localization requirements, and limited available infrastructure. Any negative impacts from changes in policy, regulatory, and governmental actions could negatively affect our business, reduce our net sales, profitability and/or market share, and consequently affect our results of operations, prospects, and financial condition.

Our failure to protect or successfully commercialize our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and litigation to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against third-party allegations of infringement may be costly.

Protection of our proprietary processes, methods, and other technology is critical to our business. Failure to protect and monitor the use of our existing intellectual property rights or to successfully commercialize future intellectual property rights could result in the loss of valuable technologies. We rely primarily on patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and contractual restrictions to protect our intellectual property. We regularly file patent applications to protect certain inventions arising from our R&D and are currently pursuing such patent applications in various countries in accordance with our strategy for intellectual property. Our existing patents and future patents could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, or rendered unenforceable. Our pending patent applications may not result in issued patents, or if patents are issued to us, such patents may not be sufficient to provide meaningful protection against competitors or against competitive technologies.

We also rely on unpatented proprietary manufacturing expertise, continuing technological innovation, and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. Although we generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our associates and third parties to protect our intellectual property, such confidentiality agreements are limited in duration and could be breached and may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or proprietary manufacturing expertise. Adequate remedies may not be available in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets and manufacturing expertise. In addition, others may obtain knowledge of our trade secrets through independent development or legal means. The failure of our patents or confidentiality agreements to protect our processes, equipment, technology, trade secrets, and proprietary manufacturing expertise, methods, and compounds could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, effective patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in some foreign countries, especially any developing countries into which we may expand our operations. In some countries, we have not applied for patent, trademark, or copyright protection.

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. 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. On February 27, 2026, we filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Trina Solar and its related entities alleging infringement of certain of our U.S. TOPCon patents. Further, on February 24, 2026, we filed a petition with the USITC asserting that entities affiliated with Axitec Solar, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Mundra, Philadelphia Solar, Hanwha QCells, Runergy, Trina Solar, and VSUN directly and indirectly infringe a First Solar patent through the importation and sale of certain TOPCon solar products. 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 or the related ex parte reexaminations 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.

Item 5. Other Information

From time to time, our directors and officers may adopt plans for the purchase or sale of our securities. Such plans may be designed to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act or may constitute non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K). During the three months ended March 31, 2026, none of our officers or directors terminated Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements or adopted or terminated non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements. However, certain of our officers adopted Rule 10b5-1 trading plans for the sale of our securities. The following table provides certain terms of such plans:

Name Position Action Adoption Date Expiration Date Aggregate Number of Securities to be Sold (1)

Caroline Stockdale Chief People & Communications Officer Adoption February 27, 2026 October 30, 2026 10,628

Patrick Buehler Chief Product Officer Adoption March 4, 2026 November 13, 2026 3,000

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(1) Represents the gross number of shares subject to the Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, excluding the potential effect of shares withheld for taxes.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Exhibit Number Exhibit Description

3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of First Solar, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to First Solar, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 25, 2006) 3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of First Solar, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to First Solar, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2024) 10.1 Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2026, among First Solar, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to First Solar, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2026) 31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1† Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 101.INS XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (104) Cover page formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

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  • Filed herewith.

† Furnished herewith. This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filings.