First Solar (FSLR) 10-Q 29 Apr 22 2022 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document

Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Apr. 22, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33156
Entity Registrant Name	First Solar, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-4623678
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Tempe
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85281
City Area Code	602
Local Phone Number	414-9300
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	FSLR
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		106,584,190
Entity Central Index Key	0001274494
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Net sales	$ 367,040	$ 803,374
Cost of sales	355,577	618,607
Gross profit	11,463	184,767
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	36,728	52,087
Research and development	27,108	19,873
Production start-up	7,338	11,354
Total operating expenses	71,174	83,314
Gain on sales of businesses, net	1,907	150,895
Operating (loss) income	(57,804)	252,348
Foreign currency loss, net	(4,198)	(2,595)
Interest income	2,325	956
Interest expense, net	(2,865)	(2,996)
Other (expense) income, net	(212)	8,448
(Loss) income before taxes	(62,754)	256,161
Income tax benefit (expense)	19,499	(46,490)
Net (loss) income	$ (43,255)	$ 209,671
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	$ (0.41)	$ 1.98
Diluted	$ (0.41)	$ 1.96
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic	106,412	106,088
Diluted	106,412	106,890

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Net (loss) income	$ (43,255)	$ 209,671
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(10,125)	(9,716)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities and restricted marketable securities, net of tax of $1,246 and $1,121	(22,521)	(16,590)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax of $94 and $(637)	(442)	3,382
Other comprehensive loss	(33,088)	(22,924)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(76,343)	186,747
Supplemental Income Statement Elements [Abstract]
Unrealized loss on marketable securities and restricted marketable securities, tax	1,246	1,121
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, tax	$ 94	$ (637)

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Current assets:
Cash	$ 1,326,363	$ 1,450,654
Marketable securities	223,091	375,389
Accounts receivable trade, net	293,357	429,436
Accounts receivable unbilled, net	28,764	25,273
Inventories	840,750	666,299
Other current assets	282,668	244,192
Total current assets	2,994,993	3,191,243
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,785,824	2,649,587
PV solar power systems, net	214,386	217,293
Project assets	391,774	315,488
Deferred tax assets, net	61,794	59,162
Restricted marketable securities	220,167	244,726
Goodwill	14,462	14,462
Intangibles assets, net	42,769	45,509
Inventories	237,854	237,512
Other assets	435,202	438,764
Total assets	7,399,225	7,413,746
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	146,233	193,374
Income taxes payable	4,759	4,543
Accrued expenses	334,975	288,450
Current portion of long-term debt	4,701	3,896
Deferred revenue	218,923	201,868
Other current liabilities	25,399	34,747
Total current liabilities	734,990	726,878
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	137,455	139,145
Long-term debt	247,354	236,005
Other liabilities	404,251	352,167
Total liabilities	1,524,050	1,454,195
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 106,583,300 and 106,332,315 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively	107	106
Additional paid-in capital	2,863,318	2,871,352
Accumulated earnings	3,141,200	3,184,455
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(129,450)	(96,362)
Total stockholders' equity	5,875,175	5,959,551
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 7,399,225	$ 7,413,746

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	106,583,300	106,332,315
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	106,583,300	106,332,315

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
Common stock, shares, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020		105,980,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 5,520,928	$ 106	$ 2,866,786	$ 2,715,762	$ (61,726)
Net (loss) income	209,671			209,671
Other comprehensive loss	(22,924)				(22,924)
Common stock issued for share-based compensation, shares		536,000
Common stock issued for share-based compensation	0	$ 0	0
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock, shares		(205,000)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(15,689)	$ 0	(15,689)
Share-based compensation expense	2,794		2,794
Common stock, shares, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021		106,311,000
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 5,694,780	$ 106	2,853,891	2,925,433	(84,650)
Common stock, shares, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	106,332,315	106,332,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 5,959,551	$ 106	2,871,352	3,184,455	(96,362)
Net (loss) income	(43,255)			(43,255)
Other comprehensive loss	(33,088)				(33,088)
Common stock issued for share-based compensation, shares		414,000
Common stock issued for share-based compensation	1	$ 1	0
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock, shares		(163,000)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(11,505)	$ 0	(11,505)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 3,471		3,471
Common stock, shares, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022	106,583,300	106,583,000
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 5,875,175	$ 107	$ 2,863,318	$ 3,141,200	$ (129,450)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (43,255)	$ 209,671
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	65,207	63,205
Impairments and net losses on disposal of long-lived assets	1,892	4,501
Share-based compensation	3,503	3,115
Deferred income taxes	1,083	(11,538)
Gain on sales of businesses, net	(1,907)	(150,895)
Gains on sales of marketable securities and restricted marketable securities	0	(11,696)
Other, net	273	1,412
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade and unbilled	144,286	(320,461)
Other current assets	(15,044)	(42,750)
Inventories	(175,990)	12,602
Project assets and PV solar power systems	(98,695)	59,623
Other assets	(15,794)	(20,814)
Income tax receivable and payable	(23,502)	33,278
Accounts payable	(55,371)	7,853
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	74,475	(116,584)
Net cash used in operating activities	(138,839)	(279,478)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(154,761)	(90,155)
Purchases of marketable securities	(750,220)	(292,308)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities and restricted marketable securities	900,165	508,289
Proceeds from sales of businesses	1,860	145,969
Other investing activities	12	43
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(2,944)	271,838
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	(737)	(37,378)
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt, net of discounts and issuance costs	18,006	21,616
Payments of tax withholdings for restricted shares	(11,505)	(15,689)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,764	(31,451)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	15,162	(652)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(120,857)	(39,743)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of the period	1,455,837	1,273,594
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of the period	1,334,980	1,233,851
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Property, plant and equipment acquisitions funded by liabilities	105,643	76,095
Proceeds to be received from sales of businesses	$ 0	$ 156,965

1. Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of First Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries in this Quarterly Report have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of First Solar management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Despite our intention to establish accurate estimates and reasonable assumptions, actual results could differ materially from such estimates and assumptions. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022 or for any other period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the SEC. Unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “First Solar” refer to First Solar, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and the term “condensed consolidated financial statements” refers to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report.

2. Sales of Businesses

2. Sales of Businesses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Disclosure	2. Sales of Businesses Sales of North American and International O&M Operations In August 2020, we entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Clairvest Group, Inc. (“Clairvest”) for the sale of our North American operations and maintenance (“O&M”) operations. In March 2021, we completed the transaction and received initial consideration of $146.0 million. As a result of this transaction, we recognized a gain of $119.2 million, net of transaction costs, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was included in “Gain on sales of businesses, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In January 2022, we completed the sale of certain international O&M operations to a separate subsidiary of Clairvest for consideration of $1.9 million. As a result of this transaction, we recognized a gain of $1.9 million, net of transaction costs and post-closing adjustments, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, which was included in “Gain on sales of businesses, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Sale of U.S. Project Development Business In January 2021, we entered into an agreement with Leeward Renewable Energy Development, LLC (“Leeward”), a subsidiary of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, for the sale of our U.S. project development business. In March 2021, we completed the transaction and received consideration of $151.4 million for the sale of such business. As a result of this transaction, we recognized a gain of $31.8 million, net of transaction costs, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was included in “Gain on sales of businesses, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

3. Cash and Marketable Securiti

3. Cash and Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]
Cash and Marketable Securities	3. Cash and Marketable Securities Cash and marketable securities consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Cash $ 1,326,363 $ 1,450,654 Marketable securities: Foreign debt 85,010 103,317 U.S. debt 18,030 18,627 Time deposits 120,051 253,445 Total marketable securities 223,091 375,389 Total cash and marketable securities $ 1,549,454 $ 1,826,043 The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 to the total of such amounts as presented in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands): Balance Sheet Line Item March 31, December 31, Cash Cash $ 1,326,363 $ 1,450,654 Restricted cash – current Other current assets 2,353 1,532 Restricted cash – noncurrent Other assets 6,264 3,651 Total cash and restricted cash $ 1,334,980 $ 1,455,837 During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we sold marketable securities for proceeds of $5.5 million and realized gains of less than $0.1 million on such sales. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our marketable securities. The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): As of March 31, 2022 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign debt $ 85,228 $ 26 $ 220 $ 24 $ 85,010 U.S. debt 19,000 — 968 2 18,030 Time deposits 120,085 — — 34 120,051 Total $ 224,313 $ 26 $ 1,188 $ 60 $ 223,091 As of December 31, 2021 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign debt $ 103,263 $ 81 $ 18 $ 9 $ 103,317 U.S. debt 19,003 10 384 2 18,627 Time deposits 253,531 — — 86 253,445 Total $ 375,797 $ 91 $ 402 $ 97 $ 375,389 The following table presents the change in the allowance for credit losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 97 $ 121 Provision for credit losses, net 49 122 Sales and maturities of marketable securities (86) (105) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 60 $ 138 The contractual maturities of our marketable securities as of March 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands): Fair One year or less $ 214,062 One year to two years — Two years to three years — Three years to four years 4,635 Four years to five years — More than five years 4,394 Total $ 223,091

4. Restricted Marketable Securi

4. Restricted Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Restricted [Abstract]
Restricted marketable securities	4. Restricted Marketable Securities Restricted marketable securities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Foreign government obligations $ 57,867 $ 64,855 Supranational debt 10,085 10,997 U.S. debt 131,862 145,326 U.S. government obligations 20,353 23,548 Total restricted marketable securities $ 220,167 $ 244,726 Our restricted marketable securities represent long-term investments to fund the estimated future cost of collecting and recycling modules covered under our solar module collection and recycling program. We have established a trust under which estimated funds are put into custodial accounts with an established and reputable bank, for which First Solar, Inc.; First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; and First Solar Manufacturing GmbH are grantors. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, such custodial accounts also included noncurrent restricted cash balances of $3.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which were reported within “Other assets.” Trust funds may be disbursed for qualified module collection and recycling costs (including capital and facility related recycling costs), payments to customers for assuming collection and recycling obligations, and reimbursements of any overfunded amounts. Investments in the trust must meet certain investment quality criteria comparable to highly rated government or agency bonds. As necessary, we fund any incremental amounts for our estimated collection and recycling obligations on an annual basis based on the estimated costs of collecting and recycling covered modules, estimated rates of return on our restricted marketable securities, and an estimated solar module life of 25 years, less amounts already funded in prior years. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we sold all our restricted marketable securities for proceeds of $258.9 million and realized gains of $11.7 million on such sales. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our restricted marketable securities. The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): As of March 31, 2022 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign government obligations $ 65,733 $ — $ 7,854 $ 12 $ 57,867 Supranational debt 11,310 — 1,225 — 10,085 U.S. debt 149,623 — 17,728 33 131,862 U.S. government obligations 24,618 — 4,260 5 20,353 Total $ 251,284 $ — $ 31,067 $ 50 $ 220,167 As of December 31, 2021 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign government obligations $ 66,867 $ — $ 2,002 $ 10 $ 64,855 Supranational debt 11,362 — 365 — 10,997 U.S. debt 150,060 — 4,697 37 145,326 U.S. government obligations 24,640 — 1,086 6 23,548 Total $ 252,929 $ — $ 8,150 $ 53 $ 244,726 The following table presents the change in the allowance for credit losses related to our restricted marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 53 $ 13 Provision for credit losses, net (3) 16 Sales of restricted marketable securities — (29) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 50 $ — As of March 31, 2022, the contractual maturities of our restricted marketable securities were between 9 years and 17 years.

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet D

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Consolidated Balance Sheet Details	5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details Accounts receivable trade, net Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Accounts receivable trade, gross $ 293,836 $ 430,100 Allowance for credit losses (479) (664) Accounts receivable trade, net $ 293,357 $ 429,436 Accounts receivable unbilled, net Accounts receivable unbilled, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Accounts receivable unbilled, gross $ 28,764 $ 25,336 Allowance for credit losses — (63) Accounts receivable unbilled, net $ 28,764 $ 25,273 Allowance for credit losses The following tables present the change in the allowances for credit losses related to our accounts receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Accounts receivable trade 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 664 $ 3,009 Provision for credit losses, net (185) 2,915 Writeoffs — (97) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 479 $ 5,827 Three Months Ended Accounts receivable unbilled 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 63 $ 303 Provision for credit losses, net (63) (27) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ — $ 276 Inventories Inventories consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Raw materials $ 399,138 $ 404,727 Work in process 57,854 65,573 Finished goods 621,612 433,511 Inventories $ 1,078,604 $ 903,811 Inventories – current $ 840,750 $ 666,299 Inventories – noncurrent $ 237,854 $ 237,512 Other current assets Other current assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Spare maintenance materials and parts $ 111,651 $ 112,070 Prepaid income taxes 64,705 41,379 Operating supplies 40,896 41,034 Prepaid expenses 30,186 28,232 Derivative instruments (1) 14,854 5,816 Restricted cash 2,353 1,532 Other 18,023 14,129 Other current assets $ 282,668 $ 244,192 —————————— (1) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments. Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Land $ 18,041 $ 18,359 Buildings and improvements 693,740 693,289 Machinery and equipment 2,566,495 2,527,627 Office equipment and furniture 140,292 139,611 Leasehold improvements 40,594 40,517 Construction in progress 614,845 461,708 Property, plant and equipment, gross 4,074,007 3,881,111 Accumulated depreciation (1,288,183) (1,231,524) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,785,824 $ 2,649,587 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment was $58.6 million and $56.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. PV solar power systems, net PV solar power systems, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, PV solar power systems, gross $ 281,498 $ 281,660 Accumulated depreciation (67,112) (64,367) PV solar power systems, net $ 214,386 $ 217,293 Depreciation of PV solar power systems was $2.8 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We evaluate our PV solar power systems for impairment under a held and used impairment model whenever events or changes in circumstances arise that may indicate that the carrying amount of a particular system may not be recoverable. Such events or changes may include a significant decrease in the market price of the asset, current-period operating or cash flow losses combined with a history of such losses or a projection of future losses associated with the use of the asset, and changes in expectations regarding our intent to hold the asset on a long-term basis or the timing of a potential asset disposition. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the recoverability of our Luz del Norte PV solar power plant was based, in part, on the likelihood of our continued ownership and operation of the system. However, it is reasonably possible that our intent to hold the asset may change in the near term due to our evaluation of strategic sale opportunities for the system. The pursuit of such opportunities, which require coordination with the system’s lenders, may result in a determination that the carrying value of the system is not recoverable based on the probability-weighted undiscounted future cash flows, which in turn could result in a possible impairment of the system in future periods. Accordingly, any changes in our expected use of the asset or its disposition may result in impairment charges that could be material to our condensed consolidated financial statements and have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations. Project assets Project assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Project assets – development costs, including project acquisition and land costs $ 107,609 $ 117,407 Project assets – construction costs 284,165 198,081 Project assets $ 391,774 $ 315,488 Goodwill Goodwill for the relevant reporting unit consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): December 31, Acquisitions (Impairments) March 31, Modules $ 407,827 $ — $ 407,827 Accumulated impairment losses (393,365) — (393,365) Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462 Intangible assets, net Intangible assets, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, 2022 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 99,964 $ (64,451) $ 35,513 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (1,703) 4,783 Patents 8,480 (6,007) 2,473 Intangible assets, net $ 114,930 $ (72,161) $ 42,769 December 31, 2021 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 99,964 $ (61,985) $ 37,979 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (1,621) 4,865 Patents 8,480 (5,815) 2,665 Intangible assets, net $ 114,930 $ (69,421) $ 45,509 Amortization of intangible assets was $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. Other assets Other assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Operating lease assets (1) $ 197,058 $ 207,544 Advanced payments for raw materials 91,854 86,962 Income tax receivables 39,862 39,862 Indirect tax receivables 28,980 21,873 Accounts receivable unbilled, net 19,387 20,840 Accounts receivable trade, net 9,376 21,293 Restricted cash 6,264 3,651 Other 42,421 36,739 Other assets $ 435,202 $ 438,764 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. Accrued expenses Accrued expenses consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Accrued property, plant and equipment $ 77,101 $ 42,031 Accrued freight 76,855 61,429 Accrued project costs 63,333 48,836 Accrued inventory 49,543 42,170 Accrued compensation and benefits 21,295 34,606 Product warranty liability (1) 11,809 13,598 Accrued other taxes 11,597 23,103 Other 23,442 22,677 Accrued expenses $ 334,975 $ 288,450 —————————— (1) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product Warranties.” Other current liabilities Other current liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Operating lease liabilities (1) $ 12,834 $ 12,781 Derivative instruments (2) 3,790 3,550 Other taxes payable 1,875 8,123 Other 6,900 10,293 Other current liabilities $ 25,399 $ 34,747 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments. Other liabilities Other liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Deferred revenue $ 154,885 $ 95,943 Operating lease liabilities (1) 136,526 145,912 Product warranty liability (2) 35,207 38,955 Deferred tax liabilities, net 30,117 27,699 Other 47,516 43,658 Other liabilities $ 404,251 $ 352,167 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product Warranties.”

6. Derivative Financial Instrum

6. Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	6. Derivative Financial Instruments As a global company, we are exposed in the normal course of business to interest rate, foreign currency, and commodity price risks that could affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. We use derivative instruments to hedge against these risks and only hold such instruments for hedging purposes, not for speculative or trading purposes. Depending on the terms of the specific derivative instruments and market conditions, some of our derivative instruments may be assets and others liabilities at any particular balance sheet date. We report all of our derivative instruments at fair value and account for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments within “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” if the derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. For those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting (i.e., “economic hedges”), we record the changes in fair value directly to earnings. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the techniques we use to measure the fair value of our derivative instruments. The following tables present the fair values of derivative instruments included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, 2022 Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 1,026 $ — Commodity swap contracts — 402 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 1,026 $ 402 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 13,828 $ 3,388 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 13,828 $ 3,388 Total derivative instruments $ 14,854 $ 3,790 December 31, 2021 Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 1,336 $ 139 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 1,336 $ 139 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 4,480 $ 3,411 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 4,480 $ 3,411 Total derivative instruments $ 5,816 $ 3,550 The following table presents the pretax amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Commodity Swap Contracts Total Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ 1,126 $ — $ 1,126 Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 426 (402) 24 Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Cost of sales (560) — (560) Balance as of March 31, 2022 $ 992 $ (402) $ 590 Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ (3,644) $ 1,472 $ (2,172) Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 1,859 1,024 2,883 Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Cost of sales 1,129 7 1,136 Balance as of March 31, 2021 $ (656) $ 2,503 $ 1,847 During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized unrealized losses of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, within “Cost of sales” for amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for our foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges. The following table presents gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedges affecting our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Three Months Ended Income Statement Line Item 2022 2021 Foreign exchange forward contracts Cost of sales $ 78 $ 169 Foreign exchange forward contracts Foreign currency loss, net 18,981 10,296 Foreign Currency Risk Cash Flow Exposure We expect certain of our subsidiaries to have future cash flows that will be denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. Changes in the exchange rates between the functional currencies of our subsidiaries and the other currencies in which they transact will cause fluctuations in the cash flows we expect to receive or pay when these cash flows are realized or settled. Accordingly, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of these forecasted cash flows. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, these foreign exchange forward contracts hedged our forecasted cash flows for periods up to 8 months and 11 months, respectively. These foreign exchange forward contracts qualify for accounting as cash flow hedges in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, and we designated them as such. We report unrealized gains or losses on such contracts in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” and subsequently reclassify applicable amounts into earnings when the hedged transaction occurs and impacts earnings. We determined that these derivative financial instruments were highly effective as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the notional values associated with our foreign exchange forward contracts qualifying as cash flow hedges were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions): March 31, 2022 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent U.S. dollar (1) $17.4 $17.4 December 31, 2021 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent U.S. dollar (1) $38.4 $38.4 British pound GBP 10.6 $14.4 —————————— (1) These derivative instruments represent hedges of outstanding payables denominated in U.S. dollars at certain of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar. In the following 12 months, we expect to reclassify to earnings $1.0 million of net unrealized gains related to foreign exchange forward contracts that are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” at March 31, 2022 as we realize the earnings effects of the related forecasted transactions. The amount we ultimately record to earnings will depend on the actual exchange rates when we realize the related forecasted transactions. Transaction Exposure and Economic Hedging Many of our subsidiaries have assets and liabilities (primarily cash, receivables, deferred taxes, payables, accrued expenses, operating lease liabilities, and solar module collection and recycling liabilities) that are denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. Changes in the exchange rates between the functional currencies of our subsidiaries and the other currencies in which these assets and liabilities are denominated will create fluctuations in our reported condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows. We may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts or other financial instruments to economically hedge assets and liabilities against the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations. The gains and losses on such foreign exchange forward contracts will economically offset all or part of the transaction gains and losses that we recognize in earnings on the related foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. We also enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to economically hedge balance sheet and other exposures related to transactions between certain of our subsidiaries and transactions with third parties. Such contracts are considered economic hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, we recognize gains or losses from the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the fair value of these derivative contracts in “Foreign currency loss, net” on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the notional values of our foreign exchange forward contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions): March 31, 2022 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 3.2 $2.4 Purchase British pound GBP 11.5 $15.1 Sell British pound GBP 14.0 $18.3 Sell Chilean peso CLP 3,206.6 $4.1 Purchase Euro €85.4 $94.4 Sell Euro €68.8 $76.0 Sell Indian rupee INR 11,172.9 $147.7 Sell Japanese yen ¥35,758.9 $290.3 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 42.0 $10.0 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 39.9 $9.5 Sell Mexican peso MXN 34.6 $1.7 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 1.5 $1.1 December 31, 2021 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 3.2 $2.3 Purchase Brazilian real BRL 2.6 $0.5 Sell Brazilian real BRL 2.6 $0.5 Purchase British pound GBP 2.5 $3.4 Sell Chilean peso CLP 4,058.6 $4.8 Purchase Euro €77.6 $88.0 Sell Euro €38.6 $43.8 Sell Indian rupee INR 10,943.0 $147.1 Purchase Japanese yen ¥667.5 $5.8 Sell Japanese yen ¥31,524.6 $273.9 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 17.0 $4.1 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 24.5 $5.9 Sell Mexican peso MXN 34.6 $1.7 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 5.5 $4.1 Commodity Price Risk We use commodity swap contracts to mitigate our exposure to commodity price fluctuations for certain raw materials used in the production of our modules. In March 2022, we entered into a commodity swap contract to hedge a portion of our forecasted cash flows for purchases of aluminum frames for a six-month period. Such swap had an initial notional value based on metric tons of forecasted aluminum purchases, equivalent to $9.8 million, and entitles us to receive a three-month average London Metals Exchange price for aluminum while requiring us to pay certain fixed prices. The notional amount of the commodity swap contract proportionately adjusts with forecasted purchases of aluminum frames.

7. Leases

7. Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Leases	7. Leases Our lease arrangements include land associated with our PV solar power systems and project assets, our corporate and administrative offices, land for our international manufacturing facilities, and certain of our manufacturing equipment. Such leases primarily relate to assets located in the United States, Japan, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam. The following table presents certain quantitative information related to our lease arrangements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Operating lease cost $ 4,377 $ 4,033 Variable lease cost 599 538 Short-term lease cost 31 371 Total lease cost $ 5,007 $ 4,942 Payments of amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 4,136 $ 4,113 Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 534 $ 13,598 March 31, December 31, Operating lease assets $ 197,058 $ 207,544 Operating lease liabilities – current 12,834 12,781 Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent 136,526 145,912 Weighted-average remaining lease term 19 years 19 years Weighted-average discount rate 2.8 % 2.8 % As of March 31, 2022, the future payments associated with our lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands): Total Lease Liabilities Remainder of 2022 $ 11,618 2023 15,579 2024 15,111 2025 14,295 2026 12,814 2027 10,149 Thereafter 98,584 Total future payments 178,150 Less: interest (28,790) Total lease liabilities $ 149,360

8. Fair Value Measurements

8. Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	8. Fair Value Measurements The following is a description of the valuation techniques that we use to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities that we measure and report at fair value on a recurring basis: • Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our marketable securities consisted of foreign debt, U.S. debt, and time deposits, and our restricted marketable securities consisted of foreign and U.S. government obligations, supranational debt, and U.S. debt. We value our marketable securities and restricted marketable securities using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for securities with identical characteristics or quoted prices for securities with similar characteristics and other observable inputs (such as interest rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals). Accordingly, we classify the valuation techniques that use these inputs as either Level 1 or Level 2 depending on the inputs used. We also consider the effect of our counterparties’ credit standing in these fair value measurements. • Derivative Assets and Liabilities . At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our derivative assets and liabilities consisted of foreign exchange forward contracts involving major currencies. At March 31, 2022, our derivative liabilities also included commodity swap contracts involving major commodity prices. Since our derivative assets and liabilities are not traded on an exchange, we value them using standard industry valuation models. As applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs, including credit risk, foreign exchange rates, forward and spot prices for currencies, and forward prices for commodities. These inputs are observable in active markets over the contract term of the derivative instruments we hold, and accordingly, we classify the valuation techniques as Level 2. In evaluating credit risk, we consider the effect of our counterparties’ and our own credit standing in the fair value measurements of our derivative assets and liabilities, respectively. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting March 31, Quoted Prices Significant Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Marketable securities: Foreign debt $ 85,010 $ — $ 85,010 $ — U.S. debt 18,030 — 18,030 — Time deposits 120,051 120,051 — — Restricted marketable securities 220,167 — 220,167 — Derivative assets 14,854 — 14,854 — Total assets $ 458,112 $ 120,051 $ 338,061 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 3,790 $ — $ 3,790 $ — Fair Value Measurements at Reporting December 31, Quoted Prices Significant Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Marketable securities: Foreign debt $ 103,317 $ — $ 103,317 $ — U.S. debt 18,627 — 18,627 — Time deposits 253,445 253,445 — — Restricted marketable securities 244,726 — 244,726 — Derivative assets 5,816 — 5,816 — Total assets $ 625,931 $ 253,445 $ 372,486 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 3,550 $ — $ 3,550 $ — Fair Value of Financial Instruments At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments not measured at fair value were as follows (in thousands): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Assets: Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent $ 19,387 $ 17,590 $ 20,840 $ 18,846 Accounts receivable trade, net - noncurrent 9,376 7,462 21,293 18,605 Liabilities: Long-term debt, including current maturities (1) $ 258,672 $ 242,551 $ 246,737 $ 243,865 —————————— (1) Excludes unamortized discounts and issuance costs. The carrying values in our condensed consolidated balance sheets of our current trade accounts receivable, current unbilled accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximated their fair values due to their nature and relatively short maturities; therefore, we excluded them from the foregoing table. The fair value measurements for our noncurrent unbilled accounts receivable, noncurrent trade accounts receivable, and long-term debt are considered Level 2 measurements under the fair value hierarchy. Credit Risk We have certain financial and derivative instruments that subject us to credit risk. These consist primarily of cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, restricted cash, restricted marketable securities, foreign exchange forward contracts, and commodity swap contracts. We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our financial and derivative instruments. We place these instruments with various high-quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit risk from any one counterparty. We continuously evaluate the credit standing of our counterparty financial institutions. Our net sales are primarily concentrated among a limited number of customers. We monitor the financial condition of our customers and perform credit evaluations whenever considered necessary. Depending upon the sales arrangement, we may require some form of payment security from our customers, including, but not limited to, advance payments, parent guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, or surety bonds.

9. Debt

9. Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt	9. Debt Our long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Balance (USD) Loan Agreement Currency March 31, December 31, Luz del Norte Credit Facilities USD $ 183,092 $ 183,829 Kyoto Credit Facility JPY 75,580 62,908 Long-term debt principal 258,672 246,737 Less: unamortized discounts and issuance costs (6,617) (6,836) Total long-term debt 252,055 239,901 Less: current portion (4,701) (3,896) Noncurrent portion $ 247,354 $ 236,005 Luz del Norte Credit Facilities In August 2014, Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA (“Luz del Norte”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project company, entered into credit facilities (the “Luz del Norte Credit Facilities”) with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”) and the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”) to provide limited-recourse senior secured debt financing for the design, development, financing, construction, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a 141 MW AC PV solar power plant located near Copiapó, Chile. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the balance outstanding on the DFC loans was $137.1 million and $137.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the balance outstanding on the IFC loans was $46.0 million and $46.1 million, respectively. The DFC and IFC loans mature in June 2037 and are secured by liens over all of Luz del Norte’s assets, a pledge of all of the equity interests in the entity, and certain letters of credit. Kyoto Credit Facility In July 2020, First Solar Japan GK, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a construction loan facility with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. for borrowings up to ¥15.0 billion ($142.8 million), which are intended to be used for the construction of a 38 MW AC PV solar power plant located in Kyoto, Japan (the “Kyoto Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the facility generally mature within 12 months following the completion of construction activities at the project. The facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc. and First Solar Japan GK and secured by pledges of the project’s cash accounts and certain other assets. Variable Interest Rate Risk Certain of our long-term debt agreements bear interest at LIBOR, TIBOR, or equivalent variable rates. An increase in these variable rates would increase the cost of borrowing under certain project specific debt financings. Our long-term debt borrowing rates as of March 31, 2022 were as follows: Loan Agreement March 31, 2022 Luz del Norte Credit Facilities (1) Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50% Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50% Kyoto Credit Facility 1-month TIBOR plus 0.60% —————————— (1) Outstanding balance comprised of $129.3 million of fixed rate loans and $53.8 million of variable rate loans as of March 31, 2022. Future Principal Payments At March 31, 2022, the future principal payments on our long-term debt were due as follows (in thousands): Total Debt Remainder of 2022 $ 3,298 2023 6,085 2024 82,600 2025 7,560 2026 7,965 2027 9,199 Thereafter 141,965 Total long-term debt future principal payments $ 258,672

10. Commitments and Contingenci

10. Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	10. Commitments and Contingencies Commercial Commitments During the normal course of business, we enter into commercial commitments in the form of letters of credit and surety bonds to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties. As of March 31, 2022, the majority of these commercial commitments supported our module business. As of March 31, 2022, the issued and outstanding amounts and available capacities under these commitments were as follows (in millions): Issued and Outstanding Available Capacity Bilateral facilities (1) $ 43.4 $ 171.6 Surety bonds 12.9 229.9 —————————— (1) Of the total letters of credit issued under the bilateral facilities, $2.6 million was secured with cash. Product Warranties When we recognize revenue for sales of modules or projects, we accrue liabilities for the estimated future costs of meeting our limited warranty obligations for both modules and the balance of the systems. We estimate our limited product warranty liability for power output and defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions based on return rates for each series of module technology. We make and revise these estimates based primarily on the number of solar modules under warranty installed at customer locations, our historical experience with and projections of warranty claims, and our estimated per-module replacement costs. We also monitor our expected future module performance through certain quality and reliability testing and actual performance in certain field installation sites. From time to time, we have taken remediation actions with respect to affected modules beyond our limited warranties and may elect to do so in the future, in which case we would incur additional expenses. Such potential voluntary future remediation actions beyond our limited warranty obligations may be material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations if we commit to any such remediation actions. Product warranty activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Product warranty liability, beginning of period $ 52,553 $ 95,096 Accruals for new warranties issued 848 2,277 Settlements (6,002) (3,226) Changes in estimate of product warranty liability (383) (74) Product warranty liability, end of period $ 47,016 $ 94,073 Current portion of warranty liability $ 11,809 $ 22,275 Noncurrent portion of warranty liability $ 35,207 $ 71,798 Indemnifications In certain limited circumstances, we have provided indemnifications to customers or other parties, including project tax equity investors, under which we are contractually obligated to compensate such parties for losses they suffer resulting from a breach of a representation, warranty, or covenant; a reduction in tax benefits received, including investment tax credits; the resolution of specific matters associated with a project’s development or construction; or guarantees of a third party’s payment or performance obligations. Project related tax benefits are, in part, based on guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Treasury Department, which includes assumptions regarding the fair value of qualifying PV solar power systems. For contracts that have such indemnification provisions, we initially recognize a liability under ASC 460 for the estimated premium that would be required by a guarantor to issue the same indemnity in a standalone arm’s-length transaction with an unrelated party. We may base these estimates on the cost of insurance or other instruments that cover the underlying risks being indemnified and may purchase such instruments to mitigate our exposure to potential indemnification payments. We subsequently measure such liabilities at the greater of the initially estimated premium or the contingent liability required to be recognized under ASC 450. We recognize any indemnification liabilities as a reduction of earnings associated with the related transaction. After an indemnification liability is recorded, we derecognize such amount pursuant to ASC 460 depending on the nature of the indemnity, which derecognition typically occurs upon expiration or settlement of the arrangement, and any contingent aspects of the indemnity are accounted for in accordance with ASC 450. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we accrued $3.8 million of current indemnification liabilities. As of March 31, 2022, the maximum potential amount of future payments under our indemnifications was $98.8 million, and we held insurance and other instruments allowing us to recover up to $28.2 million of potential amounts paid under the indemnifications. Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability We previously established a module collection and recycling program, which has since been discontinued, to collect and recycle modules sold and covered under such program once the modules reach the end of their service lives. For legacy customer sales contracts that were covered under this program, we agreed to pay the costs for the collection and recycling of qualifying solar modules, and the end-users agreed to notify us, disassemble their solar power systems, package the solar modules for shipment, and revert ownership rights over the modules back to us at the end of the modules’ service lives. Accordingly, we recorded any collection and recycling obligations within “Cost of sales” at the time of sale based on the estimated cost to collect and recycle the covered solar modules. We estimate the cost of our collection and recycling obligations based on the present value of the expected future cost of collecting and recycling the solar modules, which includes estimates for the cost of packaging materials; the cost of freight from the solar module installation sites to a recycling center; material, labor, and capital costs; and by-product credits for certain materials recovered during the recycling process. We base these estimates on our experience collecting and recycling solar modules and certain assumptions regarding costs at the time the solar modules will be collected and recycled. In the periods between the time of sale and the related settlement of the collection and recycling obligation, we accrete the carrying amount of the associated liability and classify the corresponding expense within “Selling, general and administrative” expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our module collection and recycling liability was $137.5 million and $139.1 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. See Note 4. “Restricted Marketable Securities” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information about our arrangements for funding this liability. Legal Proceedings Class Action On January 7, 2022, a putative class action lawsuit titled City of Pontiac General Employees’ Retirement System v. First Solar, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:22-cv-00036-MTL, was filed in the Arizona District Court against the Company and certain of our current officers. The complaint was filed on behalf of a purported class consisting of all purchasers of First Solar common stock between February 22, 2019 and February 20, 2020, inclusive. The complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 based on allegedly false and misleading statements related to the Company’s Series 6 solar modules and its project development business. It seeks unspecified damages and an award of costs and expenses. The Company and its officers intend to vigorously defend this action in all respects. Given the early stage of the litigation, at this time we are not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on our financial condition or to estimate the amount or range of potential loss, if any, from this action. Other Matters and Claims We are party to legal matters and claims in the normal course of our operations. While we believe the ultimate outcome of these matters and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, the outcome of such matters and claims is not determinable with certainty, and negative outcomes may adversely affect us. There have been no material changes to these matters since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022.

11. Revenue from Contracts with

11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Text Block]	11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers The following table presents the disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 along with the reportable segment for each category (in thousands): Three Months Ended Category Segment 2022 2021 Solar modules Modules $ 354,881 $ 534,670 Energy generation Other 6,293 14,579 O&M services Other 3,897 27,235 Solar power systems Other 1,969 226,967 EPC services (1) Other — (77) Net sales $ 367,040 $ 803,374 —————————— (1) For certain of our engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) agreements, we provide an energy performance test during the first or second year of a system’s operation to demonstrate that the actual energy generation for the applicable period meets or exceeds the modeled energy expectation, after certain adjustments. If there is an underperformance event with regard to these tests, we may incur liquidated damages as specified in the applicable EPC agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we accrued liquidated damages for certain of these agreements, which we recognized as a reduction to revenue. We recognize revenue for module sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of the modules to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. Such contracts may contain provisions that require us to make liquidated damage payments to the customer if we fail to ship or deliver modules by scheduled dates. We recognize these liquidated damages as a reduction of revenue in the period we transfer control of the modules to the customer. We recognize revenue for sales of development projects or completed systems when we enter into the associated sales contract. For certain prior project sales, including sales of solar power systems with EPC services, such revenue included estimated amounts of variable consideration. These estimates may require significant judgment to determine the most likely amount of net contract revenues. The cumulative effect of revisions to estimates is recorded in the period in which the revisions are identified and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, revenue increased $1.6 million due to net changes in transaction prices for four projects, which represented 0.1% of the aggregate revenue for such projects. The following table reflects the changes in our contract assets, which we classify as “Accounts receivable unbilled, net” and our contract liabilities, which we classify as “Deferred revenue,” for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Three Month Change Accounts receivable unbilled, net (1) $ 48,151 $ 46,113 $ 2,038 4 % Deferred revenue (2) $ 373,808 $ 297,811 $ 75,997 26 % —————————— (1) Includes $19.4 million and $20.8 million of noncurrent accounts receivable unbilled, net classified as “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. (2) Includes $154.9 million and $95.9 million of noncurrent deferred revenue classified as “Other liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, our contract liabilities increased by $76.0 million primarily due to advance payments received for sales of solar modules in the current period, partially offset by the recognition of revenue for sales of solar modules for which payment was received in 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized revenue of $43.7 million and $72.0 million, respectively, that was included in the corresponding contract liability balance at the beginning of the periods. As of March 31, 2022, we had entered into contracts with customers for the future sale of 25.4 GW DC of solar modules for an aggregate transaction price of $6.9 billion, which we expect to recognize as revenue through 2025 as we transfer control of the modules to the customers. Such aggregate transaction price excludes estimates of variable consideration for certain contracts with customers that are associated with future module technology improvements, including new product designs and enhancements to certain energy related attributes. Certain other price adjustments associated with the proposed extension of the U.S. investment tax credit, sales freight, and potential changes to certain commodity prices have also been excluded. While our contracts with customers typically represent firm purchase commitments, these contracts may be subject to amendments made by us or requested by our customers. These amendments may increase or decrease the volume of modules to be sold under the contract, change delivery schedules, or otherwise adjust the expected revenue under these contracts.

12. Share-Based Compensation

12. Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	12. Share-Based Compensation The following table presents share-based compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Cost of sales (1) $ 498 $ (92) Selling, general and administrative (1) 2,574 4,515 Research and development (2) 431 (1,308) Total share-based compensation expense $ 3,503 $ 3,115 —————————— (1) On March 31, 2021, we completed the sales of our North American O&M operations and U.S. project development business, which resulted in the forfeiture of unvested shares for associates (our term for full- and part-time employees) departing the Company as part of the transactions. See Note 2. “Sales of Businesses” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information related to these transactions. (2) Effective March 15, 2021, our former Chief Technology Officer retired from the Company, which resulted in the forfeiture of his unvested shares during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory, project assets, and PV solar power systems was $0.7 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2022, we had $32.6 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted and performance units, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years. In July 2019, the compensation committee of our board of directors approved grants of performance units for key executive officers to be earned over a multi-year performance period, which ended in December 2021. Vesting of the 2019 grants of performance units was contingent upon the relative attainment of target cost per watt, module wattage, gross profit, and operating income metrics. In March 2022, the compensation committee certified the achievement of the vesting conditions applicable to the grants, which approximated the maximum level of performance. Accordingly, each participant received one share of common stock for each vested performance unit granted, net of any tax withholdings. In March 2020, the compensation committee approved additional grants of performance units for key executive officers. Such grants are expected to be earned over a multi-year performance period ending in December 2022. Vesting of the 2020 grants of performance units is contingent upon the relative attainment of target contracted revenue, module wattage, and return on capital metrics. In May 2021, the compensation committee approved additional grants of performance units for key executive officers. Such grants are expected to be earned over a multi-year performance period ending in December 2023. Vesting of the 2021 grants of performance units is contingent upon the relative attainment of target contracted revenue, cost per watt, incremental average selling price, and operating income metrics. In March 2022, the compensation committee approved additional grants of performance units for key executive officers. Such grants are expected to be earned over a multi-year performance period ending in December 2024. Vesting of the 2022 grants of performance units is contingent upon the relative attainment of target contracted revenue, cost per watt, and return on capital metrics. Vesting of performance units is also contingent upon the employment of program participants through the applicable vesting dates, with limited exceptions in case of death, disability, a qualifying retirement, or a change-in-control of First Solar. Outstanding performance units are included in the computation of diluted net income per share based on the number of shares that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. In February 2022, First Solar adopted a Clawback Policy (“the Policy”) that applies to the Company’s current and former Section 16 officers. The Policy applies to all incentive compensation, including any performance-based annual incentive awards and performance-based equity compensation. The Policy was adopted to ensure that incentive compensation is paid or awarded based on accurate financial results and the correct calculation of performance against incentive targets.

13. Income Taxes

13. Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	13. Income Taxes Our effective tax rate was 31.1% and 18.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by the effect of tax law changes associated with the foreign tax credit (“FTC”) regulations described below and lower relative amounts of income earned in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates. Our provision for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the effect of the FTC regulations described below and changes in our deferred income taxes related to our Malaysian tax holiday, partially offset by lower relative amounts of income earned in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates. In December 2021, the U.S. Treasury released final FTC regulations addressing various aspects of the U.S. FTC regime. Among other items, these regulations revised the definition of a creditable foreign income tax and the time at which foreign taxes accrued can be claimed as a credit. These regulations are applicable for tax years beginning on or after December 28, 2021. As a result of these regulations, foreign taxes, which were previously creditable, are now treated as foreign tax deductions at the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21%. Our Malaysian subsidiary has been granted a long-term tax holiday that expires in 2027. The tax holiday, which generally provides for a full exemption from Malaysian income tax, is conditional upon our continued compliance with certain employment and investment thresholds, which we are currently in compliance with and expect to continue to comply with through the expiration of the tax holiday in 2027. In addition, our Vietnamese subsidiary has been granted a tax incentive that provides a two-year tax exemption, which began in 2020, and reduced annual tax rates through the end of 2025. We account for uncertain tax positions pursuant to the recognition and measurement criteria under ASC 740. It is reasonably possible that $0.3 million of uncertain tax positions will be recognized within the next 12 months due to the expiration of the statute of limitations associated with such positions. We are subject to audit by federal, state, local, and foreign tax authorities. We are currently under examination in India, Malaysia, and the state of California. We believe that adequate provisions have been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax examinations cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed by our tax examinations are not resolved in a manner consistent with our expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.

14. Net (Loss) Income Per Share

14. Net (Loss) Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (Loss) Income per Share	14. Net (Loss) Income per Share The calculation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Basic net (loss) income per share Numerator: Net (loss) income $ (43,255) $ 209,671 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 106,412 106,088 Diluted net (loss) income per share Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 106,412 106,088 Effect of restricted stock and performance units — 802 Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net (loss) income per share 106,412 106,890 Net (loss) income per share: Basic $ (0.41) $ 1.98 Diluted $ (0.41) $ 1.96 The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted net (loss) income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 as such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Anti-dilutive shares 504 —

15. Accumulated Other Comprehen

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands): Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments Total Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ (89,452) $ (8,036) $ 1,126 $ (96,362) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (10,130) (23,767) 24 (33,873) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 5 — (560) (555) Net tax effect — 1,246 94 1,340 Net other comprehensive loss (10,125) (22,521) (442) (33,088) Balance as of March 31, 2022 $ (99,577) $ (30,557) $ 684 $ (129,450) The following table presents the pretax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Comprehensive Income Components Income Statement Line Item Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Foreign currency translation adjustment Other (expense) income, net $ (5) $ (475) Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted marketable securities Other (expense) income, net — 11,696 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts: Foreign exchange forward contracts Cost of sales 560 (1,129) Commodity swap contracts Cost of sales — (7) Total unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts 560 (1,136) Total gain reclassified $ 555 $ 10,085

16. Segment Reporting

16. Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	16. Segment Reporting Our primary segment is our modules business, which involves the design, manufacture, and sale of cadmium telluride (“CdTe”) solar modules, which convert sunlight into electricity. Third-party customers of our modules segment include developers and operators of PV solar power systems. Our residual business operations include certain project development activities and O&M services, which are primarily concentrated in Japan, as well as the results of operations from PV solar power systems we own and operate in certain international regions. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we changed our reportable segments to align with revisions to our internal reporting structure and long-term strategic plans. Following this change, our modules business represents our only reportable segment. We previously operated our business in two segments, which included our modules and systems businesses. Systems business activities primarily involved (i) project development, (ii) EPC services, and (iii) O&M services, which now comprise our residual business operations and are categorized as “Other” in the tables below. All prior year balances were revised to conform to the current year presentation. See Note 20. “Segment and Geographical Information” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 for additional discussion of our segment reporting. The following tables provide a reconciliation of certain financial information for our reportable segment to information presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Modules Other Total Modules Other Total Net sales $ 354,881 $ 12,159 $ 367,040 $ 534,670 $ 268,704 $ 803,374 Gross profit 11,189 274 11,463 100,440 84,327 184,767 Depreciation and amortization expense 56,199 2,846 59,045 50,724 3,097 53,821 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Modules Other Total Modules Other Total Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462 $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462

3. Cash and Marketable Securi_2

3. Cash and Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash and Marketable Securities	Cash and marketable securities consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Cash $ 1,326,363 $ 1,450,654 Marketable securities: Foreign debt 85,010 103,317 U.S. debt 18,030 18,627 Time deposits 120,051 253,445 Total marketable securities 223,091 375,389 Total cash and marketable securities $ 1,549,454 $ 1,826,043
Reconciliation of Cash and Restricted Cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 to the total of such amounts as presented in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands): Balance Sheet Line Item March 31, December 31, Cash Cash $ 1,326,363 $ 1,450,654 Restricted cash – current Other current assets 2,353 1,532 Restricted cash – noncurrent Other assets 6,264 3,651 Total cash and restricted cash $ 1,334,980 $ 1,455,837
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities	The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): As of March 31, 2022 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign debt $ 85,228 $ 26 $ 220 $ 24 $ 85,010 U.S. debt 19,000 — 968 2 18,030 Time deposits 120,085 — — 34 120,051 Total $ 224,313 $ 26 $ 1,188 $ 60 $ 223,091 As of December 31, 2021 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign debt $ 103,263 $ 81 $ 18 $ 9 $ 103,317 U.S. debt 19,003 10 384 2 18,627 Time deposits 253,531 — — 86 253,445 Total $ 375,797 $ 91 $ 402 $ 97 $ 375,389
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss	The following table presents the change in the allowance for credit losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 97 $ 121 Provision for credit losses, net 49 122 Sales and maturities of marketable securities (86) (105) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 60 $ 138
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities by Maturity	The contractual maturities of our marketable securities as of March 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands): Fair One year or less $ 214,062 One year to two years — Two years to three years — Three years to four years 4,635 Four years to five years — More than five years 4,394 Total $ 223,091

4. Restricted Marketable Secu_2

4. Restricted Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Restricted [Abstract]
Schedule of Restricted Marketable Securities	Restricted marketable securities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Foreign government obligations $ 57,867 $ 64,855 Supranational debt 10,085 10,997 U.S. debt 131,862 145,326 U.S. government obligations 20,353 23,548 Total restricted marketable securities $ 220,167 $ 244,726
Restricted Available-for-sale Marketable Securities	The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): As of March 31, 2022 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign government obligations $ 65,733 $ — $ 7,854 $ 12 $ 57,867 Supranational debt 11,310 — 1,225 — 10,085 U.S. debt 149,623 — 17,728 33 131,862 U.S. government obligations 24,618 — 4,260 5 20,353 Total $ 251,284 $ — $ 31,067 $ 50 $ 220,167 As of December 31, 2021 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Foreign government obligations $ 66,867 $ — $ 2,002 $ 10 $ 64,855 Supranational debt 11,362 — 365 — 10,997 U.S. debt 150,060 — 4,697 37 145,326 U.S. government obligations 24,640 — 1,086 6 23,548 Total $ 252,929 $ — $ 8,150 $ 53 $ 244,726
Restricted Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss	The following table presents the change in the allowance for credit losses related to our restricted marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 53 $ 13 Provision for credit losses, net (3) 16 Sales of restricted marketable securities — (29) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 50 $ —

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet_2

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable	Accounts receivable trade, net Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Accounts receivable trade, gross $ 293,836 $ 430,100 Allowance for credit losses (479) (664) Accounts receivable trade, net $ 293,357 $ 429,436 Accounts receivable unbilled, net Accounts receivable unbilled, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Accounts receivable unbilled, gross $ 28,764 $ 25,336 Allowance for credit losses — (63) Accounts receivable unbilled, net $ 28,764 $ 25,273
Schedule of Allowance for Credit Losses	The following tables present the change in the allowances for credit losses related to our accounts receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Accounts receivable trade 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 664 $ 3,009 Provision for credit losses, net (185) 2,915 Writeoffs — (97) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 479 $ 5,827 Three Months Ended Accounts receivable unbilled 2022 2021 Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 63 $ 303 Provision for credit losses, net (63) (27) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ — $ 276
Schedule of Inventories, Current and Noncurrent	Inventories consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Raw materials $ 399,138 $ 404,727 Work in process 57,854 65,573 Finished goods 621,612 433,511 Inventories $ 1,078,604 $ 903,811 Inventories – current $ 840,750 $ 666,299 Inventories – noncurrent $ 237,854 $ 237,512
Schedule of Other Current Assets	Other current assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Spare maintenance materials and parts $ 111,651 $ 112,070 Prepaid income taxes 64,705 41,379 Operating supplies 40,896 41,034 Prepaid expenses 30,186 28,232 Derivative instruments (1) 14,854 5,816 Restricted cash 2,353 1,532 Other 18,023 14,129 Other current assets $ 282,668 $ 244,192 —————————— (1) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Land $ 18,041 $ 18,359 Buildings and improvements 693,740 693,289 Machinery and equipment 2,566,495 2,527,627 Office equipment and furniture 140,292 139,611 Leasehold improvements 40,594 40,517 Construction in progress 614,845 461,708 Property, plant and equipment, gross 4,074,007 3,881,111 Accumulated depreciation (1,288,183) (1,231,524) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,785,824 $ 2,649,587
Schedule of PV Solar Power Systems, Net	PV solar power systems, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, PV solar power systems, gross $ 281,498 $ 281,660 Accumulated depreciation (67,112) (64,367) PV solar power systems, net $ 214,386 $ 217,293
Schedule of Project Assets	Project assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Project assets – development costs, including project acquisition and land costs $ 107,609 $ 117,407 Project assets – construction costs 284,165 198,081 Project assets $ 391,774 $ 315,488
Schedule of Goodwill	Goodwill for the relevant reporting unit consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): December 31, Acquisitions (Impairments) March 31, Modules $ 407,827 $ — $ 407,827 Accumulated impairment losses (393,365) — (393,365) Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462
Schedule of Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible assets, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, 2022 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 99,964 $ (64,451) $ 35,513 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (1,703) 4,783 Patents 8,480 (6,007) 2,473 Intangible assets, net $ 114,930 $ (72,161) $ 42,769 December 31, 2021 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 99,964 $ (61,985) $ 37,979 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (1,621) 4,865 Patents 8,480 (5,815) 2,665 Intangible assets, net $ 114,930 $ (69,421) $ 45,509
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent	Other assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Operating lease assets (1) $ 197,058 $ 207,544 Advanced payments for raw materials 91,854 86,962 Income tax receivables 39,862 39,862 Indirect tax receivables 28,980 21,873 Accounts receivable unbilled, net 19,387 20,840 Accounts receivable trade, net 9,376 21,293 Restricted cash 6,264 3,651 Other 42,421 36,739 Other assets $ 435,202 $ 438,764 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements.
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Accrued property, plant and equipment $ 77,101 $ 42,031 Accrued freight 76,855 61,429 Accrued project costs 63,333 48,836 Accrued inventory 49,543 42,170 Accrued compensation and benefits 21,295 34,606 Product warranty liability (1) 11,809 13,598 Accrued other taxes 11,597 23,103 Other 23,442 22,677 Accrued expenses $ 334,975 $ 288,450 —————————— (1) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product Warranties.”
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities	Other current liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Operating lease liabilities (1) $ 12,834 $ 12,781 Derivative instruments (2) 3,790 3,550 Other taxes payable 1,875 8,123 Other 6,900 10,293 Other current liabilities $ 25,399 $ 34,747 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.
Schedule of Other Liabilities	Other liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Deferred revenue $ 154,885 $ 95,943 Operating lease liabilities (1) 136,526 145,912 Product warranty liability (2) 35,207 38,955 Deferred tax liabilities, net 30,117 27,699 Other 47,516 43,658 Other liabilities $ 404,251 $ 352,167 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product Warranties.”

6. Derivative Financial Instr_2

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The following tables present the fair values of derivative instruments included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): March 31, 2022 Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 1,026 $ — Commodity swap contracts — 402 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 1,026 $ 402 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 13,828 $ 3,388 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 13,828 $ 3,388 Total derivative instruments $ 14,854 $ 3,790 December 31, 2021 Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 1,336 $ 139 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 1,336 $ 139 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 4,480 $ 3,411 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 4,480 $ 3,411 Total derivative instruments $ 5,816 $ 3,550
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the pretax amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Commodity Swap Contracts Total Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ 1,126 $ — $ 1,126 Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 426 (402) 24 Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Cost of sales (560) — (560) Balance as of March 31, 2022 $ 992 $ (402) $ 590 Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ (3,644) $ 1,472 $ (2,172) Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 1,859 1,024 2,883 Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Cost of sales 1,129 7 1,136 Balance as of March 31, 2021 $ (656) $ 2,503 $ 1,847
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedges affecting our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Three Months Ended Income Statement Line Item 2022 2021 Foreign exchange forward contracts Cost of sales $ 78 $ 169 Foreign exchange forward contracts Foreign currency loss, net 18,981 10,296
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the notional values associated with our foreign exchange forward contracts qualifying as cash flow hedges were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions): March 31, 2022 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent U.S. dollar (1) $17.4 $17.4 December 31, 2021 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent U.S. dollar (1) $38.4 $38.4 British pound GBP 10.6 $14.4 —————————— (1) These derivative instruments represent hedges of outstanding payables denominated in U.S. dollars at certain of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar.
Schedule of Notional Value of Foreign Exchange Forward Derivatives [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the notional values of our foreign exchange forward contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions): March 31, 2022 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 3.2 $2.4 Purchase British pound GBP 11.5 $15.1 Sell British pound GBP 14.0 $18.3 Sell Chilean peso CLP 3,206.6 $4.1 Purchase Euro €85.4 $94.4 Sell Euro €68.8 $76.0 Sell Indian rupee INR 11,172.9 $147.7 Sell Japanese yen ¥35,758.9 $290.3 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 42.0 $10.0 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 39.9 $9.5 Sell Mexican peso MXN 34.6 $1.7 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 1.5 $1.1 December 31, 2021 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 3.2 $2.3 Purchase Brazilian real BRL 2.6 $0.5 Sell Brazilian real BRL 2.6 $0.5 Purchase British pound GBP 2.5 $3.4 Sell Chilean peso CLP 4,058.6 $4.8 Purchase Euro €77.6 $88.0 Sell Euro €38.6 $43.8 Sell Indian rupee INR 10,943.0 $147.1 Purchase Japanese yen ¥667.5 $5.8 Sell Japanese yen ¥31,524.6 $273.9 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 17.0 $4.1 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 24.5 $5.9 Sell Mexican peso MXN 34.6 $1.7 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 5.5 $4.1

7. Leases (Tables)

7. Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of operating lease cost and related information	The following table presents certain quantitative information related to our lease arrangements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Operating lease cost $ 4,377 $ 4,033 Variable lease cost 599 538 Short-term lease cost 31 371 Total lease cost $ 5,007 $ 4,942 Payments of amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 4,136 $ 4,113 Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 534 $ 13,598 March 31, December 31, Operating lease assets $ 197,058 $ 207,544 Operating lease liabilities – current 12,834 12,781 Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent 136,526 145,912 Weighted-average remaining lease term 19 years 19 years Weighted-average discount rate 2.8 % 2.8 %
Operating lease liability maturity	As of March 31, 2022, the future payments associated with our lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands): Total Lease Liabilities Remainder of 2022 $ 11,618 2023 15,579 2024 15,111 2025 14,295 2026 12,814 2027 10,149 Thereafter 98,584 Total future payments 178,150 Less: interest (28,790) Total lease liabilities $ 149,360

8. Fair Value Measurements (Tab

8. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis	At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting March 31, Quoted Prices Significant Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Marketable securities: Foreign debt $ 85,010 $ — $ 85,010 $ — U.S. debt 18,030 — 18,030 — Time deposits 120,051 120,051 — — Restricted marketable securities 220,167 — 220,167 — Derivative assets 14,854 — 14,854 — Total assets $ 458,112 $ 120,051 $ 338,061 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 3,790 $ — $ 3,790 $ — Fair Value Measurements at Reporting December 31, Quoted Prices Significant Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Marketable securities: Foreign debt $ 103,317 $ — $ 103,317 $ — U.S. debt 18,627 — 18,627 — Time deposits 253,445 253,445 — — Restricted marketable securities 244,726 — 244,726 — Derivative assets 5,816 — 5,816 — Total assets $ 625,931 $ 253,445 $ 372,486 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 3,550 $ — $ 3,550 $ —
Carrying value and fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value	At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments not measured at fair value were as follows (in thousands): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Assets: Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent $ 19,387 $ 17,590 $ 20,840 $ 18,846 Accounts receivable trade, net - noncurrent 9,376 7,462 21,293 18,605 Liabilities: Long-term debt, including current maturities (1) $ 258,672 $ 242,551 $ 246,737 $ 243,865 —————————— (1) Excludes unamortized discounts and issuance costs.

9. Debt (Tables)

9. Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Our long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Balance (USD) Loan Agreement Currency March 31, December 31, Luz del Norte Credit Facilities USD $ 183,092 $ 183,829 Kyoto Credit Facility JPY 75,580 62,908 Long-term debt principal 258,672 246,737 Less: unamortized discounts and issuance costs (6,617) (6,836) Total long-term debt 252,055 239,901 Less: current portion (4,701) (3,896) Noncurrent portion $ 247,354 $ 236,005
Schedule of Borrowing Rate on Debt	Our long-term debt borrowing rates as of March 31, 2022 were as follows: Loan Agreement March 31, 2022 Luz del Norte Credit Facilities (1) Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50% Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50% Kyoto Credit Facility 1-month TIBOR plus 0.60% —————————— (1) Outstanding balance comprised of $129.3 million of fixed rate loans and $53.8 million of variable rate loans as of March 31, 2022.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	At March 31, 2022, the future principal payments on our long-term debt were due as follows (in thousands): Total Debt Remainder of 2022 $ 3,298 2023 6,085 2024 82,600 2025 7,560 2026 7,965 2027 9,199 Thereafter 141,965 Total long-term debt future principal payments $ 258,672

10. Commitments and Contingen_2

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities	As of March 31, 2022, the issued and outstanding amounts and available capacities under these commitments were as follows (in millions): Issued and Outstanding Available Capacity Bilateral facilities (1) $ 43.4 $ 171.6 Surety bonds 12.9 229.9 —————————— (1) Of the total letters of credit issued under the bilateral facilities, $2.6 million was secured with cash.
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	Product warranty activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Product warranty liability, beginning of period $ 52,553 $ 95,096 Accruals for new warranties issued 848 2,277 Settlements (6,002) (3,226) Changes in estimate of product warranty liability (383) (74) Product warranty liability, end of period $ 47,016 $ 94,073 Current portion of warranty liability $ 11,809 $ 22,275 Noncurrent portion of warranty liability $ 35,207 $ 71,798

11. Revenue from Contracts wi_2

11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue, by Type of Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 along with the reportable segment for each category (in thousands): Three Months Ended Category Segment 2022 2021 Solar modules Modules $ 354,881 $ 534,670 Energy generation Other 6,293 14,579 O&M services Other 3,897 27,235 Solar power systems Other 1,969 226,967 EPC services (1) Other — (77) Net sales $ 367,040 $ 803,374 —————————— (1) For certain of our engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) agreements, we provide an energy performance test during the first or second year of a system’s operation to demonstrate that the actual energy generation for the applicable period meets or exceeds the modeled energy expectation, after certain adjustments. If there is an underperformance event with regard to these tests, we may incur liquidated damages as specified in the applicable EPC agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we accrued liquidated damages for certain of these agreements, which we recognized as a reduction to revenue.
Changes in Contract Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the changes in our contract assets, which we classify as “Accounts receivable unbilled, net” and our contract liabilities, which we classify as “Deferred revenue,” for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Three Month Change Accounts receivable unbilled, net (1) $ 48,151 $ 46,113 $ 2,038 4 % Deferred revenue (2) $ 373,808 $ 297,811 $ 75,997 26 % —————————— (1) Includes $19.4 million and $20.8 million of noncurrent accounts receivable unbilled, net classified as “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. (2) Includes $154.9 million and $95.9 million of noncurrent deferred revenue classified as “Other liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

12. Share-Based Compensation (T

12. Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	The following table presents share-based compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Cost of sales (1) $ 498 $ (92) Selling, general and administrative (1) 2,574 4,515 Research and development (2) 431 (1,308) Total share-based compensation expense $ 3,503 $ 3,115 —————————— (1) On March 31, 2021, we completed the sales of our North American O&M operations and U.S. project development business, which resulted in the forfeiture of unvested shares for associates (our term for full- and part-time employees) departing the Company as part of the transactions. See Note 2. “Sales of Businesses” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information related to these transactions. (2) Effective March 15, 2021, our former Chief Technology Officer retired from the Company, which resulted in the forfeiture of his unvested shares during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

14. Net (Loss) Income Per Sha_2

14. Net (Loss) Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Net (Loss) Income Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The calculation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Basic net (loss) income per share Numerator: Net (loss) income $ (43,255) $ 209,671 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 106,412 106,088 Diluted net (loss) income per share Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 106,412 106,088 Effect of restricted stock and performance units — 802 Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net (loss) income per share 106,412 106,890 Net (loss) income per share: Basic $ (0.41) $ 1.98 Diluted $ (0.41) $ 1.96
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Net (Loss) Income Per Share	The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted net (loss) income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 as such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Anti-dilutive shares 504 —

15. Accumulated Other Compreh_2

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands): Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments Total Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ (89,452) $ (8,036) $ 1,126 $ (96,362) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (10,130) (23,767) 24 (33,873) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 5 — (560) (555) Net tax effect — 1,246 94 1,340 Net other comprehensive loss (10,125) (22,521) (442) (33,088) Balance as of March 31, 2022 $ (99,577) $ (30,557) $ 684 $ (129,450)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table presents the pretax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): Comprehensive Income Components Income Statement Line Item Three Months Ended 2022 2021 Foreign currency translation adjustment Other (expense) income, net $ (5) $ (475) Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted marketable securities Other (expense) income, net — 11,696 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts: Foreign exchange forward contracts Cost of sales 560 (1,129) Commodity swap contracts Cost of sales — (7) Total unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts 560 (1,136) Total gain reclassified $ 555 $ 10,085

16. Segment Reporting (Tables)

16. Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The following tables provide a reconciliation of certain financial information for our reportable segment to information presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Modules Other Total Modules Other Total Net sales $ 354,881 $ 12,159 $ 367,040 $ 534,670 $ 268,704 $ 803,374 Gross profit 11,189 274 11,463 100,440 84,327 184,767 Depreciation and amortization expense 56,199 2,846 59,045 50,724 3,097 53,821 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Modules Other Total Modules Other Total Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462 $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462

2. Sales of Businesses (Details

2. Sales of Businesses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of businesses	$ 1,860	$ 145,969
Gain on sales of businesses, net	1,907	150,895
North American Operations and Maintenance Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of businesses		146,000
Gain on sales of businesses, net		119,200
International Operations and Maintenance Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of businesses	1,900
Gain on sales of businesses, net	$ 1,900
U.S. Project Development Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of businesses		151,400
Gain on sales of businesses, net		$ 31,800

3. Cash and Marketable Securi_3

3. Cash and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash and Marketable Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash		$ 1,326,363	$ 1,450,654
Marketable securities		223,091	375,389
Total cash and marketable securities		1,549,454	1,826,043
Restricted cash - current		2,353	1,532
Restricted cash - noncurrent		6,264	3,651
Cash and restricted cash	$ 1,233,851	1,334,980	1,455,837	$ 1,273,594
Marketable Securities, Sale Proceeds	5,500
Marketable Securities, Realized Gain	$ 100
Foreign debt [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities		85,010	103,317
U.S. debt [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities		18,030	18,627
Time deposits [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities		120,051	253,445
Cash [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash		$ 1,326,363	$ 1,450,654

3. Cash and Marketable Securi_4

3. Cash and Marketable Securities (Details) - Marketable Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 224,313		$ 375,797
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	26		91
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1,188		402
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	60	$ 138	97
Marketable securities	223,091		375,389
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	97	121
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	49	122
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Securities Sold	(86)	(105)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	60	$ 138
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year	214,062
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year One Through Two	0
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year Two Through Three	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturities, Rolling Year Three Through Four	4,635
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturities, Rolling Year Four Through Five	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturities, Rolling Year More Than Five	4,394
Foreign debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	85,228		103,263
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	26		81
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	220		18
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	24		9
Marketable securities	85,010		103,317
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	9
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	24
U.S. debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	19,000		19,003
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		10
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	968		384
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	2		2
Marketable securities	18,030		18,627
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	2
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	2
Time deposits [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	120,085		253,531
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	34		86
Marketable securities	120,051		$ 253,445
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	86
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	$ 34

4. Restricted Marketable Secu_3

4. Restricted Marketable Securities (Details) - Restricted Marketable Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted marketable securities	$ 220,167		$ 244,726
Restricted cash - noncurrent	$ 6,264		3,651
Product minimum service life	25 years
Gains on sales of restricted marketable securities	$ 0	$ 11,696
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	60	138	97	$ 121
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	224,313		375,797
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	26		91
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1,188		402
Cash Held In Trust [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted cash - noncurrent	3,500		900
U.S. debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	2		2
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	19,000		19,003
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		10
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	968		384
Restricted Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted marketable securities	220,167		244,726
Proceeds from sale of restricted marketable securities		258,900
Gains on sales of restricted marketable securities		11,700
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	50	$ 0	53	$ 13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	251,284		252,929
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	$ 31,067		8,150
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Contractual maturities of Debt securities, Available-for-sale, range start (in years)	9 years
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Contractual Maturities Of Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Range End (In Years)	17 years
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted marketable securities	$ 57,867		64,855
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	12		10
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	65,733		66,867
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	7,854		2,002
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | Supranational debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted marketable securities	10,085		10,997
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	11,310		11,362
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1,225		365
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | U.S. debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted marketable securities	131,862		145,326
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	33		37
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	149,623		150,060
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	17,728		4,697
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | US Government Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted marketable securities	20,353		23,548
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	5		6
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	24,618		24,640
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	$ 4,260		$ 1,086

4. Restricted Marketable Secu_4

4. Restricted Marketable Securities (Details) - Available for sale - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 224,313		$ 375,797
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	26		91
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1,188		402
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	60	$ 138	97
Restricted marketable securities	220,167		244,726
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	97	121
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	49	122
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Securities Sold	(86)	(105)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	60	138
Restricted Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	251,284		252,929
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	31,067		8,150
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	50	0	53
Restricted marketable securities	220,167		244,726
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	53	13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(3)	16
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Securities Sold	0	(29)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	$ 50	$ 0
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Contractual maturities of Debt securities, Available-for-sale, range start (in years)	9 years
Restricted Debt Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Contractual Maturities Of Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Range End (In Years)	17 years
Foreign government obligations [Member] | Restricted Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 65,733		66,867
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	7,854		2,002
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	12		10
Restricted marketable securities	57,867		64,855
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	10
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	12
Supranational debt [Member] | Restricted Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	11,310		11,362
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1,225		365
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	0		0
Restricted marketable securities	10,085		10,997
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	0
U.S. debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	19,000		19,003
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		10
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	968		384
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	2		2
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	2
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	2
U.S. debt [Member] | Restricted Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	149,623		150,060
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	17,728		4,697
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	33		37
Restricted marketable securities	131,862		145,326
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	37
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	33
US Government Debt Securities [Member] | Restricted Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	24,618		24,640
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	4,260		1,086
Marketable Securities, Allowance for Credit Losses	5		6
Restricted marketable securities	20,353		$ 23,548
Restricted available for sale securities, allowance for credit losses [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance	6
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance	$ 5

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet_3

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts receivable, trade, and unbilled
Accounts receivable trade, gross	$ 293,836		$ 430,100
Accounts receivable trade, Allowance for credit losses	(479)	$ (5,827)	(664)	$ (3,009)
Accounts receivable trade, net	293,357		429,436
Accounts receivable unbilled, gross	28,764		25,336
Accounts receivable unbilled, Allowance for credit losses	0	(276)	(63)	(303)
Accounts receivable unbilled, net	28,764		25,273
Allowance for Credit Loss [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable Trade, Allowance for Credit Loss	479	5,827	664	3,009
Accounts Receivable Trade, Provision for credit losses, net	(185)	2,915
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0	(97)
Accounts receivable, unbilled, allowance for credit losses	0	276	63	$ 303
Accounts Receivable, Unbilled, Provision for credit losses, net	(63)	(27)
Inventories
Raw materials	399,138		404,727
Work in process	57,854		65,573
Finished goods	621,612		433,511
Inventories	1,078,604		903,811
Inventories - current	840,750		666,299
Inventories - noncurrent	237,854		237,512
Other current assets
Spare maintenance materials and parts	111,651		112,070
Prepaid income taxes	64,705		41,379
Operating supplies	40,896		41,034
Prepaid expenses	30,186		28,232
Derivative instruments	14,854		5,816
Restricted cash	2,353		1,532
Other	18,023		14,129
Other current assets	282,668		244,192
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,074,007		3,881,111
Accumulated depreciation	(1,288,183)		(1,231,524)
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,785,824		2,649,587
PV solar power systems, net
PV solar power systems, gross	281,498		281,660
Accumulated depreciation	(67,112)		(64,367)
PV solar power systems, net	214,386		217,293
Project assets
Project assets - development costs, including project acquisition and land costs	107,609		117,407
Project assets - construction costs	284,165		198,081
Project assets	391,774		315,488
Goodwill
Goodwill	14,462		14,462
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	0
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross	114,930		114,930
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(72,161)		(69,421)
Intangibles assets, net	42,769		45,509
Amortization of intangible assets	2,700	2,700
Other assets
Operating lease assets	197,058		207,544
Advanced payments for raw materials	91,854		86,962
Income taxes receivable, noncurrent	39,862		39,862
Indirect tax receivables	28,980		21,873
Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent	19,387		20,840
Accounts receivable trade, net - noncurrent	9,376		21,293
Restricted cash - noncurrent	6,264		3,651
Other	42,421		36,739
Other assets	435,202		438,764
Accrued expenses
Accrued property, plant and equipment	77,101		42,031
Accrued freight	76,855		61,429
Accrued project assets	63,333		48,836
Accrued inventory	49,543		42,170
Accrued compensation and benefits	21,295		34,606
Product warranty liability	11,809		13,598
Accrued other taxes	11,597		23,103
Other	23,442		22,677
Accrued expenses	334,975		288,450
Other current liabilities
Operating lease liabilities, current	12,834		12,781
Derivative instruments	3,790		3,550
Other taxes payable, current	1,875		8,123
Other	6,900		10,293
Other current liabilities	25,399		34,747
Other liabilities
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	154,885		95,943
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent	136,526		145,912
Product warranty liability	35,207		38,955
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	30,117		27,699
Other	47,516		43,658
Other liabilities	404,251		352,167
Developed Technology [Member]
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross	99,964		99,964
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(64,451)		(61,985)
Intangibles assets, net	35,513		37,979
Power Purchase Agreements [Member]
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross	6,486		6,486
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(1,703)		(1,621)
Intangibles assets, net	4,783		4,865
Patents [Member]
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross	8,480		8,480
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(6,007)		(5,815)
Intangibles assets, net	2,473		2,665
Modules Segment [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross	407,827		407,827
Accumulated impairment loss	(393,365)		(393,365)
Goodwill	14,462		14,462
Goodwill from acquisition	0
Goodwill impairment	0
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Depreciation	58,600	56,800
PV solar power systems [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Depreciation	2,800	$ 3,000
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	18,041		18,359
Building and improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	693,740		693,289
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,566,495		2,527,627
Office equipment and furniture [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	140,292		139,611
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	40,594		40,517
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 614,845		$ 461,708

6. Derivative Financial Instr_3

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Summary - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Other Current Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ 14,854	$ 5,816
Other Current Assets | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1,026	1,336
Other Current Assets | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	13,828	4,480
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(3,790)	(3,550)
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	402	139
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	3,388	3,411
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Current Assets | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1,026	1,336
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Current Assets | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	13,828	4,480
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	139
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	3,388	$ 3,411
Commodity swap contracts | Other Current Assets | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0
Commodity swap contracts | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 402

6. Derivative Financial Instr_4

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Hedging Relationship - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 590	$ 1,847	$ 1,126	$ (2,172)
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	24	2,883
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income, effective portion, net	(560)	1,136
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	992	(656)	1,126	(3,644)
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	426	1,859
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income, effective portion, net	(560)	1,129
Derivative instruments, gain (loss) recognized in income, amount excluded from effectiveness testing, net		(100)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cost of sales | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, gain (loss) recognized in income, amount excluded from effectiveness testing, net	(100)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, gain (loss) on derivative, net	78	169
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency loss, net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, gain (loss) on derivative, net	18,981	10,296
Commodity swap contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(402)	2,503	$ 0	$ 1,472
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(402)	1,024
Commodity swap contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income, effective portion, net	$ 0	$ 7

6. Derivative Financial Instr_5

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Risk Management £ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021GBP (£)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Maximum length of time hedged in foreign currency cash flow hedge	8 months	11 months
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	$ 1
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | United States of America, Dollars
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	17.4	$ 38.4
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | United Kingdom, Pounds
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount		$ 14.4	£ 10.6
Commodity swap contracts | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	9.8
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	$ 0.4

6. Derivative Financial Instr_6

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Transaction Exposure - Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] € in Millions, ₨ in Millions, ¥ in Millions, £ in Millions, RM in Millions, R$ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2022GBP (£)

Mar. 31, 2022AUD ($)

Mar. 31, 2022CLP ($)

Mar. 31, 2022EUR (€)

Mar. 31, 2022INR (₨)

Mar. 31, 2022JPY (¥)

Mar. 31, 2022MYR (RM)

Mar. 31, 2022MXN ($)

Mar. 31, 2022SGD ($)

Dec. 31, 2021GBP (£)

Dec. 31, 2021AUD ($)

Dec. 31, 2021CLP ($)

Dec. 31, 2021EUR (€)

Dec. 31, 2021INR (₨)

Dec. 31, 2021JPY (¥)

Dec. 31, 2021MYR (RM)

Dec. 31, 2021MXN ($)

Dec. 31, 2021SGD ($)

Dec. 31, 2021BRL (R$)

Australia, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Australian dollar

Australian dollar

Brazil, Brazil Real

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Brazilian real

Derivative, Currency Sold

Brazilian real

United Kingdom, Pounds

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

British pound

British pound

Derivative, Currency Sold

British pound

Chile, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Sold

Chilean peso

Chilean peso

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Euro

Euro

Derivative, Currency Sold

Euro

Euro

India, Rupees

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Sold

Indian rupee

Indian rupee

Japan, Yen

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Japanese yen

Derivative, Currency Sold

Japanese yen

Japanese yen

Malaysia, Ringgits

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Malaysian ringgit

Malaysian ringgit

Derivative, Currency Sold

Malaysian ringgit

Malaysian ringgit

Mexico, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Sold

Mexican peso

Mexican peso

Singapore, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Singapore dollar

Singapore dollar

Long [Member] | Australia, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

$ 2.4

$ 2.3

$ 3.2

$ 3.2

Long [Member] | Brazil, Brazil Real

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

0.5

R$ 2.6

Long [Member] | United Kingdom, Pounds

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

15.1

3.4

£ 11.5

£ 2.5

Long [Member] | Euro Member Countries, Euro

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

94.4

88

€ 85.4

€ 77.6

Long [Member] | Japan, Yen

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

5.8

¥ 667.5

Long [Member] | Malaysia, Ringgits

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

10

4.1

RM 42

RM 17

Long [Member] | Singapore, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

1.1

4.1

$ 1.5

$ 5.5

Short [Member] | Brazil, Brazil Real

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

0.5

R$ 2.6

Short [Member] | United Kingdom, Pounds

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

18.3

£ 14

Short [Member] | Chile, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

4.1

4.8

$ 3,206.6

$ 4,058.6

Short [Member] | Euro Member Countries, Euro

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

76

43.8

€ 68.8

€ 38.6

Short [Member] | India, Rupees

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

147.7

147.1

₨ 11,172.9

₨ 10,943

Short [Member] | Japan, Yen

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

290.3

273.9

¥ 35,758.9

¥ 31,524.6

Short [Member] | Malaysia, Ringgits

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

9.5

5.9

RM 39.9

RM 24.5

Short [Member] | Mexico, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, notional amount

$ 1.7

$ 1.7

$ 34.6

$ 34.6

7. Leases (Details)

7. Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 4,377	$ 4,033
Variable lease cost	599	538
Short-term lease cost	31	371
Total lease cost	5,007	4,942
Payments of amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	4,136	4,113
Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	534	$ 13,598
Operating lease assets	197,058		$ 207,544
Operating lease liabilities, current	12,834		12,781
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent	$ 136,526		$ 145,912
Weighted-average remaining lease term	19 years		19 years
Weighted-average discount rate	2.80%		2.80%
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, remainder of fiscal year	$ 11,618
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2023	15,579
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2024	15,111
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2025	14,295
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2026	12,814
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2027	10,149
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due after 2027	98,584
Total future payments	178,150
Less: interest	(28,790)
Total lease liabilities	$ 149,360
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Other assets		Other assets
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other current liabilities		Other current liabilities
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other liabilities		Other liabilities

8. Fair Value Measurements (Det

8. Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 223,091	$ 375,389
Restricted marketable securities	220,167	244,726
Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	85,010	103,317
U.S. debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	18,030	18,627
Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	120,051	253,445
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Restricted marketable securities	220,167	244,726
Derivative assets	14,854	5,816
Total assets	458,112	625,931
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	3,790	3,550
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	85,010	103,317
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	18,030	18,627
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	120,051	253,445
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted marketable securities	0	0
Derivative assets	0	0
Total assets	120,051	253,445
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	120,051	253,445
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted marketable securities	220,167	244,726
Derivative assets	14,854	5,816
Total assets	338,061	372,486
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	3,790	3,550
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	85,010	103,317
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	18,030	18,627
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted marketable securities	0	0
Derivative assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 0	$ 0

8. Fair Value Measurements (D_2

8. Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Balance Sheet Grouping - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent	$ 19,387	$ 20,840
Accounts receivable trade, net - noncurrent	9,376	21,293
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	258,672
Carrying Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent	19,387	20,840
Accounts receivable trade, net - noncurrent	9,376	21,293
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	258,672	246,737
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent	17,590	18,846
Accounts receivable trade, net - noncurrent	7,462	18,605
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$ 242,551	$ 243,865

9. Debt (Details)

9. Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, ¥ in Billions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020JPY (¥)
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 258,672	$ 246,737
Less: unamortized discount and issuance costs	(6,617)	(6,836)
Total long-term debt	252,055	239,901
Less current portion	(4,701)	(3,896)
Noncurrent portion	247,354	236,005
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturity, Remainder of Fiscal Year	3,298
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year One	6,085
Long-term Debt, Maturity, Year Two	82,600
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Three	7,560
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Four	7,965
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Five	9,199
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, after Year Five	141,965
Total long-term debt future principal payments	$ 258,672
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	USD
Long-term debt, gross	$ 183,092	183,829
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | DFC [Member] | Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	137,100	137,700
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | IFC [Member] | Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 46,000	46,100
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | DFC and IFC [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Fixed Rate Basis	Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.50%
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | Fixed Rate Term Loan Facility [Member] | DFC and IFC [Member] | Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 129,300
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | Variable Rate Term Loan Facility [Member] | DFC and IFC [Member] | Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 53,800
Kyoto Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 75,580	$ 62,908
Kyoto Credit Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	1-month TIBOR plus 0.60%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.60%
Kyoto Credit Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | First Solar Japan GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity			$ 142,800	¥ 15

10. Commitments and Contingen_3

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Commercial Commitments $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Surety Bonds	$ 12.9
Surety Bond Capacity	229.9
Bilateral Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	43.4
Letters of Credit, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	171.6
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Secured by Cash	$ 2.6

10. Commitments and Contingen_4

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Product Warranties - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Product warranty liability, beginning of period	$ 52,553	$ 95,096
Accruals for new warranties issued	848	2,277
Settlements	(6,002)	(3,226)
Changes in estimate of product warranty liability	(383)	(74)
Product warranty liability, end of period	47,016	94,073
Current portion of warranty liability	11,809	22,275
Noncurrent portion of warranty liability	$ 35,207	$ 71,798

10. Commitments and Contingen_5

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Indemnifications - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Indemnification liabilities, current	$ 3.8	$ 3.8
Indemnification liabilities, maximum exposure	98.8
Indemnification liabilities, potential recoveries	$ 28.2

10. Commitments and Contingen_6

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	$ 137,455	$ 139,145

11. Revenue from Contracts wi_3

11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)Projects	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 367,040	$ 803,374
Increase in revenue from net changes in transaction prices		$ 1,600
Number of projects with changes in estimates | Projects		4
Net change in estimate as a percentage of aggregate revenue		0.10%
Accounts Receivable Unbilled, Net, Total Current and Noncurrent, after Allowance for Credit Losses	48,151		$ 46,113
Contract Assets, Net Change	$ 2,038
Contract Assets, Percent Change	4.00%
Deferred revenue, Total Current and Noncurrent	$ 373,808		297,811
Contract Liabilities, Net Change	$ 75,997
Contract Liabilities, Percent Change	26.00%
Accounts receivable unbilled, net - noncurrent	$ 19,387		20,840
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	154,885		$ 95,943
Sales Revenue Net, from Beginning Contract Liability	43,700	$ 72,000
Solar Modules [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	354,881	534,670
Remaining Performance Obligation, Aggregate Transaction Price	6,900,000
Energy Generation [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	6,293	14,579
O&M Services [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	3,897	27,235
Solar Power Systems [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	1,969	226,967
EPC Services [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 0	$ (77)

12. Share-Based Compensation (D

12. Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 3,503	$ 3,115
Share-based compensation, capitalized in inventory, project assets, and PV solar power systems	700		$ 700
Restricted and performance stock units [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense, unrecognized, unvested restricted stock and performance units	$ 32,600
Share-based compensation expense, unrecognized, unvested weighted average period of recognition (in years)	1 year 8 months 12 days
Cost of sales [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 498	(92)
Selling, general and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	2,574	4,515
Research and development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 431	$ (1,308)

13. Income Taxes (Details)

13. Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	31.10%	18.10%
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	21.00%
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$ 0.3

14. Net (Loss) Income Per Sha_3

14. Net (Loss) Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (43,255)	$ 209,671
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	106,412	106,088
Effect of restricted stock and performance units	0	802
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net (loss) income per share	106,412	106,890
Net (loss) income per share, basic	$ (0.41)	$ 1.98
Net (loss) income per share, diluted	$ (0.41)	$ 1.96
Anti-dilutive shares	504	0

15. Accumulated Other Compreh_3

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	$ 5,959,551	$ 5,520,928
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(555)	(10,085)
Net other comprehensive loss	(33,088)	(22,924)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	5,875,175	5,694,780
Other (expense) income, net	(212)	8,448
Cost of sales	355,577	618,607
Total gain reclassified	555	10,085
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	(89,452)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(10,130)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	5
Net tax effect	0
Net other comprehensive loss	(10,125)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	(99,577)
Total gain reclassified	(5)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other (expense) income, net	(5)	(475)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	(8,036)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(23,767)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Net tax effect	1,246
Net other comprehensive loss	(22,521)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	(30,557)
Total gain reclassified	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other (expense) income, net	0	11,696
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	1,126
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	24
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(560)
Net tax effect	94
Net other comprehensive loss	(442)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	684
Total gain reclassified	560
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total amount reclassified	560	(1,136)
Total, Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	(96,362)	(61,726)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(33,873)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(555)
Net tax effect	1,340
Net other comprehensive loss	(33,088)	(22,924)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	(129,450)	(84,650)
Total gain reclassified	555
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Cost of sales	560	(1,129)
Commodity swap contracts | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ 0	$ (7)

16. Segment Reporting (Details)

16. Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 367,040	$ 803,374
Gross profit	11,463	184,767
Depreciation and amortization expense	59,045	53,821
Goodwill	14,462		$ 14,462
Modules Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	354,881	534,670
Gross profit	11,189	100,440
Depreciation and amortization expense	56,199	50,724
Goodwill	14,462		14,462
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	12,159	268,704
Gross profit	274	84,327
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,846	$ 3,097
Goodwill	$ 0		$ 0