What happened Shares of First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) rose 5.6% on Wednesday, furthering a rally in the solar panel manufacturer's stock price since the passage of climate-focused legislation in mid-August. CEO Mark Widmar cited the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a key reason the company chose to invest in its domestic manufacturing capabilities. On Aug. 31, Bank of America analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith reiterated his buy rating on the stock and boosted his share price forecast from $141 to $152.