First Solar, Inc.

(NASDAQ Global Select)
Somewhat Bullish +50

This solar stock is likely to rise following the U.S. 2026 midterm elections

πŸ“ˆ William Blair upgraded First Solar (FSLR) to outperform from market perform following the Democrats' sweep in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.

πŸ—³οΈ Analyst Jed Dorsheimer believes Democratic control will unlock local support for utility-scale solar procurement and siting, favoring First Solar as a top OEM.

βš–οΈ The potential enactment of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act could expedite federal permitting and expand grid development for First Solar.

🀠 Texas's new Democratic governor is seen as a positive tailwind, with the state adding roughly 11 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2025.

⏳ Analysts warn that state-level political tailwinds will take time to show up in First Solar's bookings and revenue.

πŸ“‰ First Solar shares have declined nearly 26% year to date despite the recent analyst upgrade.

πŸ‘ The stock currently holds buy or strong buy ratings from 29 of the 41 analysts covering it.

Bullish Signals
  • William Blair upgraded First Solar to outperform, citing its position as the best-positioned U.S. OEM for utility-scale solar panels.
  • Democratic control of Congress and key governorships is expected to unlock local support for utility-scale solar procurement and siting.
  • The potential passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would expedite federal permitting and expand grid development, directly benefiting First Solar.
  • Texas's election of a Democrat as governor supports First Solar, given the state is the largest contributor to new U.S. solar capacity.
Risk Factors
  • Analysts note that state-level political tailwinds will take time to materialize in bookings, delaying immediate revenue impact.
  • Shares have fallen nearly 26% year to date, indicating recent market weakness despite the upgrade.
Full Analysis
William Blair analyst Jed Dorsheimer upgraded First Solar (FSLR) to an outperform rating from market perform, citing a favorable political landscape following the Democrats' sweep in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. The firm believes that increased Democratic control of Congress and key governorships will unlock local support for utility-scale solar procurement and siting, positioning First Solar as the best-positioned original equipment manufacturer in the United States. The analyst specifically highlighted the potential passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, which would expedite federal permitting for solar projects and expand grid development. These legislative changes are expected to directly benefit First Solar's business operations. Additionally, the recent election of a Democrat as governor of Texas, the state's largest contributor to new U.S. solar capacity, is viewed as a positive tailwind for the company. Despite these bullish outlooks, Dorsheimer noted that state-level tailwinds will take time to materialize in bookings. First Solar shares have fallen nearly 26% year to date, though the stock currently holds buy or strong buy ratings from 29 of the 41 analysts covering it according to LSEG data.