Free cash flow
First Solar Free cash flow decreased by 131.2% to -$333.40M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 59.0%, from -$813.95M to -$333.40M. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $86.62M | $140.70M | -$160.43M | -$293.60M | -$110.67M | -$94.28M | -$405.56M | -$472.37M | -$120.78M | -$145.73M | -$172.15M | -$487.65M | -$813.95M | -$138.56M | $1.07B | $1.07B | -$333.40M |
| QoQ Change | — | +62.4% | -214.0% | -83.0% | +62.3% | +14.8% | -330.2% | -16.5% | +74.4% | -20.7% | -18.1% | -183.3% | -66.9% | +83.0% | +871.9% | +0.1% | -131.2% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -227.8% | -167.0% | -38.1% | -326.8% | -28.1% | +64.1% | +63.6% | -303.8% | -458.5% | +19.5% | +319.3% | — | +59.0% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is First Solar's free cash flow?
- First Solar (FSLR) reported free cash flow of -$333.40M in Q1 2026.
- How has First Solar's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- First Solar's free cash flow increased by 59.0% year-over-year, from -$813.95M to -$333.40M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.