First Solar's stock took a hit following a significant first-quarter earnings miss and weak guidance, largely due to the impacts of tariffs. The solar industry player reported a net loss of $449 million in Q1, much of which was influenced by pre-tax charges related to restructuring efforts, according to Renewable Energy World. This decline in performance also saw a decrease in net sales from the previous quarter, primarily attributed to expected seasonal reductions in module volume sold, as Stock Titan noted.
In terms of operational challenges, First Solar announced the closure of its facility in Germany and the idling of production lines in Malaysia. The company is also undergoing a major workforce reduction, laying off 30% of its global employees as part of its restructuring measures. The company is facing stiff competition from Chinese solar modules, which is impacting the cost efficiency of its thin-film technology, adding another layer of pressure as reported by Renewable Energy World.
Despite these setbacks, First Solar is moving forward with strategic initiatives, including the construction of the 550-megawatt Topaz Solar Farms in California. This project is expected to employ approximately 400 workers over the next three years. The company also made leadership changes by appointing James Hughes as CEO and Raffi Garabedian as CTO, suggesting a renewed focus on steering the company through challenging market dynamics.