** Shares of U.S.- based solar company First Solar FSLR.O up ~3& at $231.00 premarket

** BMO Capital raises price target on First Solar to $261 from $203

** The new price target represents a 16.3% upside to the stock's last close

** Brokerage believes utilization will be higher than previous as cos U.S. facilities are sold out through 2028

** Brokerage anticipates modestly higher pricing for international Series 6 panels sold in the U.S. in 2027

** 16 of 18 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 2 "hold"; median PT is $90- data by LSEG

** Up to last close, stock up ~2% YTD

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru)

((Dharna.bafna@thomsonreuters.com))