Dec 31, 2022

First Solar Q4 2022 Earnings Report

First Solar reported a net sales of $1.0 billion and a net loss per diluted share of $0.07 for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Key Takeaways

First Solar announced its Q4 and full year 2022 financial results, reporting Q4 net sales of $1.0 billion and a net loss per diluted share of $0.07. The company's year-end net cash balance reached $2.4 billion, and they have secured 12 GWDC in net bookings since the third quarter earnings call.

Net sales for Q4 2022 were $1.0 billion.

Net loss per diluted share for Q4 2022 was $0.07.

Year-end 2022 net cash balance was $2.4 billion.

48.3 GWDC of 2022 net bookings, with 12 GWDC since the third quarter earnings call.

Total Revenue
$1B
Previous year: $907M
+10.4%
EPS
-$0.07
Previous year: $1.23
-105.7%
Gross Profit
$60.6M
Previous year: $246M
-75.4%
Cash and Equivalents
$1.48B
Previous year: $1.45B
+2.1%
Free Cash Flow
$468M
Previous year: -$160M
-391.9%
Total Assets
$8.25B
Previous year: $7.41B
+11.3%

First Solar

First Solar

Forward Guidance

First Solar provides 2023 guidance with net sales expected between $3.4 billion and $3.6 billion and EPS between $7.00 and $8.00.

Positive Outlook

  • Net Sales: $3.4B to $3.6B
  • Gross Margin: $1.2B to $1.3B
  • Operating Income: $745M to $870M
  • Earnings per Diluted Share: $7.00 to $8.00
  • Net Cash Balance: $1.2B to $1.5B

Challenges Ahead

  • Includes $110 million to $130 million of ramp and underutilization costs
  • Includes $660 million to $710 million of Section 45X tax credits
  • Operating Expenses: $415M to $440M
  • Includes $85 million to $90 million of production start-up expense
  • Capital Expenditures: $1.9B to $2.1B