Head-To-Head Comparison: Solarwindow Technologies (OTCMKTS:WNDW) vs. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR)

Solarwindow Technologies (OTCMKTS:WNDW) and First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, dividends and profitability.

Volatility & Risk

Solarwindow Technologies has a beta of -9.29, suggesting that its stock price is 1,029% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Solar has a beta of 1.59, suggesting that its stock price is 59% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

92.1% of First Solar shares are held by institutional investors. 67.3% of Solarwindow Technologies shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of First Solar shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Solarwindow Technologies and First Solar, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Solarwindow Technologies	0	0	0	0	0.00
First Solar	0	6	27	2	2.89

First Solar has a consensus price target of $271.27, indicating a potential upside of 2.64%. Given First Solar’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe First Solar is more favorable than Solarwindow Technologies.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Solarwindow Technologies and First Solar”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Solarwindow Technologies	N/A	N/A	-$2.26 million	($0.03)	-14.00
First Solar	$4.21 billion	6.74	$1.29 billion	$13.02	20.30

First Solar has higher revenue and earnings than Solarwindow Technologies. Solarwindow Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Solar, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Solarwindow Technologies and First Solar’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Solarwindow Technologies	N/A	-51.26%	-47.66%
First Solar	27.73%	16.61%	11.08%

Summary

First Solar beats Solarwindow Technologies on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Solarwindow Technologies

SolarWindow Technologies, Inc. engages in the development of transparent electricity-generating coatings and methods under LiquidElectricity Coatings brand. The company's coatings generate electricity by harvesting light energy from natural sun, artificial light, and low, shaded, or reflected light conditions, which is applied to rigid and flexible glass, and plastic surfaces to transform ordinary surfaces into organic photovoltaic devices. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc., a solar technology company, provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions in the United States, France, Japan, Chile, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with a thin film semiconductor technology that provides a lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules. It designs, manufactures, and sells cadmium telluride solar modules that converts sunlight into electricity. The company's residual business operations include project development activities, operations and maintenance services, and the sale of PV solar power systems to third-party customers. It serves developers and operators of systems, utilities, independent power producers, commercial and industrial companies, and other system owners. The company was formerly known as First Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to First Solar, Inc. in 2006. First Solar, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.