NYX Nyse Euronext

First Solar Inc. (FSLR) announced that it has participated in and received a score on its inaugural response to the Carbon Disclosure Project (“CDP”). CDP is an organization that gathers and reports greenhouse gas emissions for corporations around the world. First Solar is the first company solely focused on solar development to have its response scored by CDP and included in CDP’s 500 and Global 500 report.

First Solar’s Disclosure Score was in the top quartile of the 339 S&P 500 respondents. The index is the best known among the many indices owned and maintained by Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. (MHP). The S&P 500 is a free-float capitalization-weighted index published since 1957 of the prices of 500 large-cap common stocks actively traded in U.S.

The stocks included in the S&P 500 are those of large publicly held companies that trade on either of the two largest American stock market exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange owned by NYSE Euronext Inc. (NYX), and the NASDAQ owned by NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. (NDAQ).

Earlier in 2010, First Solar’s global operations generated greenhouse gas emissions totaling approximately 194 metric tons of carbon dioxide emission equivalents (“CO2e”) per megawatt of modules produced. First Solar also reported that the 3.3 gigawatts of photovoltaic solar modules produced by the company through 2010 are being used globally to displace over 2 million metric tons of CO2e emissions per year.

First Solar, the largest stand-alone solar module manufacturer in terms of market capitalization, will benefit greatly from the steady economic recovery as well as favorable legislations supporting PV installations.

First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and is a premier provider of comprehensive PV system solutions. The company is delivering an economically and environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuel.

From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating value-driven renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

Moreover, by virtue of its diversified revenue exposure, technological enhancements and cost minimization, the company has a distinct edge over its competitors. Through cadmium telluride-based solar modules, the company offers a differentiated technology versus its silicon-based peers.

However, First Solar’s short-term growth may be partially hampered by the volatile euro, apprehension over reduction in German subsidies, falling crystalline silicon prices and the modules’ glut in the market. The company presently retains a short-term Zacks #5 Rank (Strong Sell). Over the longer run we however maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.

 
FIRST SOLAR INC (FSLR): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
MCGRAW-HILL COS (MHP): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
NASDAQ OMX GRP (NDAQ): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
NYSE EURONEXT (NYX): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Zacks Investment Research