Solar Thin Films (OTCMKTS:SLTZ) vs. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) Critical Survey

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

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for First Solar and Solar Thin Films, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
First Solar	0	6	27	2	2.89
Solar Thin Films	0	0	0	0	0.00

First Solar presently has a consensus price target of $271.27, indicating a potential upside of 1.61%. Given First Solar’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe First Solar is more favorable than Solar Thin Films.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

92.1% of First Solar shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of First Solar shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 12.0% of Solar Thin Films shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares First Solar and Solar Thin Films’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
First Solar	27.73%	16.61%	11.08%
Solar Thin Films	N/A	N/A	N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares First Solar and Solar Thin Films”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
First Solar	$4.21 billion	6.81	$1.29 billion	$13.02	20.51
Solar Thin Films	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

First Solar has higher revenue and earnings than Solar Thin Films.

Summary

First Solar beats Solar Thin Films on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

About Solar Thin Films

Solar Thin Films, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and installs thin-film amorphous silicon photovoltaic manufacturing equipment used in plants that produce photovoltaic thin-film a-Si solar panels or modules. The company serves businesses and investment partnerships engaged in the production of photovoltaic thin-film modules; and corporations and governments involved in the construction of solar power plants principally in the United States, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and Asia. Solar Thin Films, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in New York, New York.