$FSLR
First Solar Inc Stock $fslr

$fslr Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2011 Q1 Form 10-Q Financial Statement

#000127449411000021 Filed on May 05, 2011

Income Statement

Concept	2011 Q1	2010 Q1
Revenue	$567.3M	$568.0M
YoY Change	-0.12%	35.81%
Cost Of Revenue	$307.6M	$285.9M
YoY Change	7.59%	56.33%
Gross Profit	$259.7M	$282.0M
YoY Change	-7.93%	19.86%
Gross Profit Margin	45.77%	49.66%
Selling, General & Admin	$87.00M	$66.86M
YoY Change	30.11%	23.82%
% of Gross Profit	33.5%	23.71%
Research & Development	$31.35M	$22.89M
YoY Change	36.98%	95.62%
% of Gross Profit	12.07%	8.12%
Depreciation & Amortization	$48.27M	$39.09M
YoY Change	23.48%	49.77%
% of Gross Profit	18.59%	13.86%
Operating Expenses	$130.3M	$90.90M
YoY Change	43.33%	38.14%
Operating Profit	$129.4M	$191.1M
YoY Change	-32.31%	12.77%
Interest Expense	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change		-100.0%
% of Operating Profit	0.0%	0.0%
Other Income/Expense, Net	-$349.0K	-$734.0K
YoY Change	-52.45%	-43.54%
Pretax Income	$133.0M	$195.4M
YoY Change	-31.92%	15.12%
Income Tax	$17.04M	$23.01M
% Of Pretax Income	12.81%	11.78%
Net Earnings	$116.0M	$172.3M
YoY Change	-32.71%	4.71%
Net Earnings / Revenue	20.44%	30.34%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$1.36	$2.04
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.33	$2.00
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	85.32M shares	84.51M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding	87.05M shares	86.09M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2011 Q1	2010 Q1
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$555.5M	$714.2M
YoY Change	-22.22%	-10.4%
Cash & Equivalents	$355.7M	$420.9M
Short-Term Investments	$199.8M	$293.3M
Other Short-Term Assets	$111.1M	$197.5M
YoY Change	-43.73%	91.01%
Inventory	$271.2M	$172.1M
Prepaid Expenses	$56.31M
Receivables	$362.7M	$295.1M
Other Receivables	$0.00	$25.70M
Total Short-Term Assets	$1.394B	$1.405B
YoY Change	-0.73%	13.29%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$1.550B	$1.030B
YoY Change	50.41%	18.73%
Goodwill	$458.8M	$286.5M
YoY Change	60.13%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$157.4M	$330.8M
YoY Change	-52.42%	737.47%
Other Assets	$45.67M	$421.4M
YoY Change	-89.16%	290.91%
Total Long-Term Assets	$3.040B	$2.069B
YoY Change	46.92%	97.29%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$1.394B	$1.405B
Total Long-Term Assets	$3.040B	$2.069B
Total Assets	$4.434B	$3.474B
YoY Change	27.65%	51.79%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$99.40M	$76.00M
YoY Change	30.79%	81.38%
Accrued Expenses	$229.0M	$133.0M
YoY Change	72.15%	64.4%
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change
Long-Term Debt Due	$28.20M	$26.40M
YoY Change	6.82%	-20.0%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$469.9M	$322.5M
YoY Change	45.7%	2.12%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$103.5M	$136.1M
YoY Change	-23.95%	-30.28%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$139.1M	$168.1M
YoY Change	-17.23%	134.45%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$139.1M	$304.2M
YoY Change	-54.26%	13.98%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$469.9M	$322.5M
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$139.1M	$304.2M
Total Liabilities	$868.1M	$626.7M
YoY Change	38.52%	7.53%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$1.782B
YoY Change
Common Stock	$1.835B
YoY Change
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$3.566B	$2.847B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$4.434B	$3.474B
YoY Change	27.65%	51.79%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2011 Q1	2010 Q1
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$116.0M	$172.3M
YoY Change	-32.71%	4.71%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$48.27M	$39.09M
YoY Change	23.48%	49.77%
Cash From Operating Activities	-$43.81M	$31.27M
YoY Change	-240.1%	-50.91%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	$169.0M	$106.0M
YoY Change	59.46%	-222.66%
Acquisitions	$21.11M	$0.00
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$16.00K	-$1.019M
YoY Change	-98.43%	-98.93%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$263.4M	-$262.4M
YoY Change	0.4%	44.79%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net	$13.90M	$714.0K
YoY Change	1846.78%
Cash From Financing Activities	-$111.3M	$1.961M
YoY Change	-5774.3%	-95.8%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	-$43.81M	$31.27M
Cash From Investing Activities	-$263.4M	-$262.4M
Cash From Financing Activities	-$111.3M	$1.961M
Net Change In Cash	-$418.5M	-$229.1M
YoY Change	82.65%	223.63%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	-$43.81M	$31.27M
Capital Expenditures	$169.0M	$106.0M
Free Cash Flow	-$212.8M	-$74.70M
YoY Change	184.87%	-149.77%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2011Q1	fslr	Accrued Inventory AccruedInventory	36780000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Accrued Inventory AccruedInventory	25686000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Accrued Property Plant And Equipment AccruedPropertyPlantAndEquipment	57121000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Accrued Property Plant And Equipment AccruedPropertyPlantAndEquipment	53741000	USD
CY2010	fslr	Available For Sale Securities Net Unrealized Gains Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNetUnrealizedGainsLosses	900000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Available For Sale Securities Net Unrealized Gains Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNetUnrealizedGainsLosses	800000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Project Assets Acquired BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationProjectAssetsAcquired	217417000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Project Assets Acquired BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationProjectAssetsAcquired	217417000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Contingent Consideration ContingentConsideration	1118000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Contingent Consideration ContingentConsideration	1118000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Deferred Project Costs Current DeferredProjectCostsCurrent	4485000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Deferred Project Costs Current DeferredProjectCostsCurrent	14446000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Effective Income Tax Rate Change In Pretax Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateChangeInPretaxIncome	62400000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Capitalized In Inventory EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCapitalizedInInventory	900000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Capitalized In Inventory EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCapitalizedInInventory	1300000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Exchange Rate Ratio ExchangeRateRatio	1.41
CY2011Q1	fslr	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasis	548942000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasis	479499000	USD
CY2010Q1	fslr	Increase Decrease In Project Assets IncreaseDecreaseInProjectAssets	-1458000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Increase Decrease In Project Assets IncreaseDecreaseInProjectAssets	59444000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Inventory Current Noncurrent Net InventoryCurrentNoncurrentNet	301822000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Inventory Current Noncurrent Net InventoryCurrentNoncurrentNet	238591000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Product Minimum Service Life ProductMinimumServiceLife	25 years
CY2011Q1	fslr	Product Warranty Accrual In Excess Of Normal Product Warranty Liability Nonrecurring ProductWarrantyAccrualInExcessOfNormalProductWarrantyLiabilityNonrecurring	23091000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Product Warranty Accrual In Excess Of Normal Product Warranty Liability Nonrecurring ProductWarrantyAccrualInExcessOfNormalProductWarrantyLiabilityNonrecurring	28921000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Production Start Up Expense ProductionStartUpExpense	11931000	USD
CY2010Q1	fslr	Production Start Up Expense ProductionStartUpExpense	1143000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Project Assets Current ProjectAssetsCurrent	0	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Project Assets Current ProjectAssetsCurrent	0	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Project Assets Current And Noncurrent ProjectAssetsCurrentAndNoncurrent	320140000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Project Assets Current And Noncurrent ProjectAssetsCurrentAndNoncurrent	384376000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Project Assets Land Current And Noncurrent ProjectAssetsLandCurrentAndNoncurrent	13810000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Project Assets Land Current And Noncurrent ProjectAssetsLandCurrentAndNoncurrent	13781000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Project Assets Noncurrent ProjectAssetsNoncurrent	320140000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Project Assets Noncurrent ProjectAssetsNoncurrent	384376000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Project Assets Other Current And Noncurrent ProjectAssetsOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent	153149000	USD
CY2010Q4	fslr	Project Assets Other Current And Noncurrent ProjectAssetsOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent	88942000	USD
CY2011Q1	fslr	Solar Module Collection And Recycling Custodial Account SolarModuleCollectionAndRecyclingCustodialAccount	60 days
CY2011Q1	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2011Q1	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2011Q1	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	Q1
CY2011Q1	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2011
CY2011Q1	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2011-03-31
CY2011Q1	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-Q
CY2011Q1	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0001274494
CY2011Q2	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	86160700	shares
CY2011Q1	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2011Q1	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2010Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	5252343971	USD
CY2011Q1	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	FIRST SOLAR, INC.
CY2011Q1	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2011Q1	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	82312000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	99398000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Gross Current AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent	305537000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Gross Current AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent	362695000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	362695000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	305537000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies Noncurrent AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent	132951000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies Noncurrent AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent	155570000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	16831000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	28148000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent	59148000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent	66351000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	244271000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	228956000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	409622000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	363305000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1732000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	5771000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-43117000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-2667000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-30347000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-6552000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-27243000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-51401000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock	1815420000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock	1834514000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther	-381000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	-141072000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	-159781000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	238000	shares
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	92000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	4380403000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Assets Assets	4433981000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Assets Assets	3473514000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Current AssetsCurrent	1584460000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Assets Current AssetsCurrent	1394255000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities AvailableForSaleSecurities	357227000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities AvailableForSaleSecurities	348160000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses	264000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses	130000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	95388000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	80865000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses	264000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses	130000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	95388000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	664499000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	80865000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	300000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	100000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	100000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	765689000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	355725000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	420886000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-243613000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-409964000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.001
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.001
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	500000000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	500000000	shares
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	86066220	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	85843511	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	85843511	shares
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	86066220	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	86000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	86000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	91810000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	177652000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods Sold CostOfGoodsSold	307628000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods Sold CostOfGoodsSold	285925000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Carrying Amount DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount	239866000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Carrying Amount DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount	133943000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Maturity Date DebtInstrumentMaturityDate	2026-12-31
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	2243000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	2475000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCredits	-2656000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCredits	-12474000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Revenue Current DeferredRevenueCurrent	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Revenue Current DeferredRevenueCurrent	14718000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Current DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent	401000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Current DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent	388000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	265591000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	259236000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Current DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrent	24912000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Current DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrent	34601000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	39089000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	48269000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Derivative Assets Current DerivativeAssetsCurrent	5914000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets Current DerivativeAssetsCurrent	20986000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities Current DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent	22996000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities Current DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent	45532000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.36
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.04
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.33
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	8538000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-14483000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.128	pure
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.118	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	69353000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	34612000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities	1568000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities	1568000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets	5914000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets	21866000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilities	47678000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilities	24034000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	950000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-696000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossUnrealized	-570000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossUnrealized	-1430000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Investments GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments	52000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Investments GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments	222000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	458808000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	433288000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	286515000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	282036000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	259665000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Held For Use ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse	628000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Held For Use ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse	1289000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Impairment Of Ongoing Project ImpairmentOfOngoingProject	110000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Impairment Of Ongoing Project ImpairmentOfOngoingProject	3118000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	133007000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	195359000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	17039000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	23014000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	18892000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	18535000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	16294000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	-532000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	48277000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	55499000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedIncomeTaxesPayable	6818000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedIncomeTaxesPayable	17474000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	-27827000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	-51562000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	25524000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	57268000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	1452000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	2708000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	52064000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	74647000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Unbilled Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInUnbilledReceivables	25840000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Unbilled Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInUnbilledReceivables	9100000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Interest Costs Incurred InterestCostsIncurred	-1837000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Interest Costs Incurred InterestCostsIncurred	-2275000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	3034000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	74000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods InventoryFinishedGoods	54873000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods InventoryFinishedGoods	99144000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory For Long Term Contracts Or Programs InventoryForLongTermContractsOrPrograms	16021000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory For Long Term Contracts Or Programs InventoryForLongTermContractsOrPrograms	4579000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory For Long Term Contracts Or Programs Description InventoryForLongTermContractsOrProgramsDescription	<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:25px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Balance of Systems Parts. </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Balance of systems parts</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;"> </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">represent construction parts purchased for solar power plants under construction, which we hold title of and are not yet installed in a solar power plant. These parts include posts, tilt brackets, cartridges, inverters, and any other parts we purchase or assemble for the solar power plants we construct. Balance of systems parts do not include solar modules. We report these parts at the lower of cost or market, with market being based on either recoverability through installation in a solar power plant under construction or through a sale.  </font></div></div>
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	271215000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	195863000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Current MarketableSecuritiesCurrent	199785000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Current MarketableSecuritiesCurrent	167889000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Noncurrent InventoryNoncurrent	42728000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory Noncurrent InventoryNoncurrent	30607000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials InventoryRawMaterials	162190000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials InventoryRawMaterials	175212000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Work In Process InventoryWorkInProcess	21528000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Inventory Work In Process InventoryWorkInProcess	27466000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	5648000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	3023000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Investment Tax Credit InvestmentTaxCredit	16300000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Investments And Cash InvestmentsAndCash	712952000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Investments And Cash InvestmentsAndCash	1113849000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	868132000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	925458000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	4433981000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	4380403000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	469677000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	469889000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	237391000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	131700000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	103531000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	210804000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	26587000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	28169000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Noncurrent MarketableSecuritiesNoncurrent	180271000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Noncurrent MarketableSecuritiesNoncurrent	157442000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Restricted Noncurrent MarketableSecuritiesRestrictedNoncurrent	147471000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Restricted Noncurrent MarketableSecuritiesRestrictedNoncurrent	85984000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Maximum Length Of Time Hedged In Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge	18 months
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-111273000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	1961000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-262364000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-263416000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	31273000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	-43813000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	172345000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	115968000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired	56329000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired	91186000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Operating Expenses OperatingExpenses	90895000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Operating Expenses OperatingExpenses	130282000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	191141000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	129383000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Current OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	64744000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Current OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	55344000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	111124000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	61585000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	45666000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	43488000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1097000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-7503000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-32234000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	23795000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-40450000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	36444000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Other Increase Decrease In Environmental Liabilities OtherIncreaseDecreaseInEnvironmentalLiabilities	6876000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Increase Decrease In Environmental Liabilities OtherIncreaseDecreaseInEnvironmentalLiabilities	20769000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	99676000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	85218000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	139142000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	112026000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Noncurrent Liabilities OtherNoncurrentLiabilities	52878000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Noncurrent Liabilities OtherNoncurrentLiabilities	72791000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-734000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-349000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Other Sundry Liabilities Current OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent	14774000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Sundry Liabilities Current OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent	27361000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments For Other Operating Activities PaymentsForOtherOperatingActivities	734000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments For Other Operating Activities PaymentsForOtherOperatingActivities	401000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	1107000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	2741000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Classified Current ProductWarrantyAccrualClassifiedCurrent	12608000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Classified Current ProductWarrantyAccrualClassifiedCurrent	11226000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-1019000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-16000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	157151000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	383757000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	21105000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	168990000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	105976000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Restricted Investments PaymentsToAcquireRestrictedInvestments	62748000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Restricted Investments PaymentsToAcquireRestrictedInvestments	43443000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Suppliers And Employees PaymentsToSuppliersAndEmployees	441079000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Payments To Suppliers And Employees PaymentsToSuppliersAndEmployees	495427000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense And Other Assets PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets	177831000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense And Other Assets PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets	143033000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current PrepaidExpenseCurrent	46016000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current PrepaidExpenseCurrent	56308000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Customers ProceedsFromCustomers	471600000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Customers ProceedsFromCustomers	484261000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Interest Received ProceedsFromInterestReceived	1984000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Interest Received ProceedsFromInterestReceived	9359000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	67448000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	33756000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-114000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Collection Of Notes Receivable ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfNotesReceivable	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Collection Of Notes Receivable ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfNotesReceivable	35817000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	79114000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	200220000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued ProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	5269000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued ProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	3807000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	1430789000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	1549529000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	-990000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	113900000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	714000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	31351000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	22888000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent	19000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent	236000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Investments Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsNoncurrent	86003000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Investments Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsNoncurrent	147707000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	1665564000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	1781532000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Revenue Recognition Multiple Element Arrangements Other RevenueRecognitionMultipleElementArrangementsOther	<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Revenue Recognition - Systems Business</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">. Our systems business provides a complete solar power system solution, which includes project development, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, operating and maintenance (O&M) services, when applicable, and project finance, when required. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We base revenue recognition for arrangements entered into by the systems business generally using two revenue recognition models, following the guidance in ASC 605, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Accounting for Long-term Construction Contracts</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> or, for arrangements which include land, ASC 360, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Accounting for Sales of Real Estate. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">For construction contracts that do not involve land or land rights and thus are accounted for under ASC 605, we use the percentage-of-completion method using actual costs incurred over total estimated costs to complete a project (including module costs) as our basic accounting policy, unless we cannot make reasonably dependable estimates of the costs to complete the contract, in which case we would use the completed contract method. We periodically revise our contract cost and profit estimates and we immediately recognize any losses that we identify on contracts. Incurred costs include all direct materials, costs for solar modules, labor, subcontractor costs, and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, and tools. We recognize direct material costs as incurred costs when the direct materials have been installed. When contracts specify that title to direct materials transfers to the customer before installation has been performed, we defer revenue and associated costs and recognize them once those materials are installed and have met any other revenue recognition requirements. We consider direct materials to be installed when they are permanently attached or fitted to the solar power systems as required by engineering designs.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">For arrangements recognized under ASC 360, typically when we have gained control of land or land rights, we record the sale as revenue after construction of a project is complete, we have transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer, and we have received payment from the buyer. We apply the percentage-of-completion method to certain contracts covered under ASC 360, when the sale has been consummated, the initial or continuing investment criteria have been met, we have the ability to estimate our costs and progress toward completion, and other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Depending on the value of the initial and continuing payment commitment by the buyer, we generally align our revenue recognition and release of project assets to cost of sales with the receipt of payment from the buyer for contracts accounted for under ASC 360.</font></div></div>
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	567293000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Sales Revenue Net SalesRevenueNet	567961000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	66864000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	87000000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	19475000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	25567000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Compensation Cost ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost	25567000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Compensation Cost ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost	19474000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	32141000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	27894000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	22583000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual StandardProductWarrantyAccrual	23375000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Current StandardProductWarrantyAccrualCurrent	8461000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Current StandardProductWarrantyAccrualCurrent	12608000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Noncurrent StandardProductWarrantyAccrualNoncurrent	14914000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Noncurrent StandardProductWarrantyAccrualNoncurrent	19533000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Payments StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	3586000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Payments StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	5850000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Preexisting Increase Decrease StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPreexistingIncreaseDecrease	2835000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Standard Product Warranty Accrual Preexisting Increase Decrease StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPreexistingIncreaseDecrease	2564000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	3565849000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	3454945000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Unbilled Contracts Receivable UnbilledContractsReceivable	10582000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unbilled Contracts Receivable UnbilledContractsReceivable	1482000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	1587000	shares
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	1729000	shares
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	87053000	shares
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	86092000	shares
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	84505000	shares
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	85324000	shares

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
0001274494-11-000021-index-headers.html	Edgar Link	pending
0001274494-11-000021-index.html	Edgar Link	pending
0001274494-11-000021.txt	Edgar Link	pending
0001274494-11-000021-xbrl.zip	Edgar Link	pending
defnref.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
ex101employmentagreementm.htm	Edgar Link	pending
ex102employmentagreeement.htm	Edgar Link	pending
ex103employmentagreementm.htm	Edgar Link	pending
ex104amendmenttonon-compe.htm	Edgar Link	pending
ex3101ceocertificationmar1.htm	Edgar Link	pending
ex3102cfocertificationmar1.htm	Edgar Link	pending
ex3201ceocfocertification.htm	Edgar Link	pending
FilingSummary.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
Financial_Report.xls	Edgar Link	pending
fslogo123110a01.jpg	Edgar Link	pending
fslr-20110331.xml	Edgar Link	completed
fslr-20110331.xsd	Edgar Link	pending
fslr-20110331_cal.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
fslr-20110331_def.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
fslr-20110331_lab.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
fslr-20110331_pre.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
fslrmar1110q.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R1.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R10.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R11.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R12.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R13.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R14.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R15.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R16.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R17.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R18.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R19.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R2.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R20.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R21.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R22.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R23.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R24.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R25.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R26.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R27.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R28.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R29.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R3.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R30.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R31.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R32.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R33.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R34.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R35.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R36.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R37.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R38.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R39.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R4.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R40.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R41.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R42.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R43.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R44.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R45.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R46.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R47.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R48.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R49.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R5.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R50.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R51.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R52.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R53.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R54.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R55.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R56.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R57.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R58.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R59.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R6.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R60.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R61.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R62.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R63.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R64.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R65.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R66.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R7.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R8.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R9.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable

Create your account

Find Stocks Worth Researching

Deeply Understand Businesses

Value Businesses Intelligently

$FSLR
First Solar Inc Stock $fslr

2011 Q1 Form 10-Q Financial Statement

#000127449411000021 Filed on May 05, 2011

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$FSLR First Solar Inc Stock $fslr

2011 Q1 Form 10-Q Financial Statement

#000127449411000021 Filed on May 05, 2011

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$FSLR
First Solar Inc Stock $fslr