SunPower Corporation Earnings
SunPower reported Thursday a five-fold jump in net income in the fourth quarter and a huge surge in revenue, and it expects revenue and profits to grow in 2009.
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The mood though, is far from euphoric as analysts and company executives are still worried about the fragile state of the economy. SunPower, in fact, announced it laid off about 6 percent of its non-manufacturing employees, or 1.2 percent of its overall global workforce.
The San Jose, Calif.-based solar panel maker brought in $29.55 million, or 35 cents per share in the fourth quarter, compared with $4.88 million, or 6 cents per share, from the year-ago period. A strong U.S. dollar against the Korean won resulted in a 7 cent per share gain, the company said.
SourceSPWRA is going up 14% for today, next Thursday Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:ESLR) releases it's earnings.
Labels: Earnings, SPWR, SunPower Corp
Alt-Energy: Deja Vu All Over Again
Highlighted here are the following: PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy (PBW), Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy (TAN), Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF (KWT), First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge US Liquid (QCLN) or the Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy ETF (GEX).
It's deja vu all over again. The parallels and similarities between the development and evolution of the "green," alternative, renewable energy industry closely tracks that of the now more mature technology industry of prior decades. Both industries emerged with myriad small companies -- too many to be realistically successful -- all competing for market share with widely accepted products.
Both industries rely on first-to-market technological innovations. Stocks in both industries feature high volatility with seemingly daily market moving news. High-flying valuations become value stocks, and vice versa, at any time.
Continue reading at
istockanalystLabels: Claymore, ETF, GEX, Global Solar Index, KWT, MAC, Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF, PBW, Powershares, QCLN, solar ETF, TAN, WilderHill Clean Energy
Suntech and Standard Solar Reach 5 Megawatt Solar Panel Supply Agreement
Agreement strengthens both companies' ability to respond to President Obama's call to 'harness the sun'
SAN FRANCISCO and GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Standard Solar, Inc. are looking forward to powering cleaner energy solutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S. under a new agreement by which Suntech will supply up to 5 megawatts of photovoltaic solar panels to the Maryland-based solar developer and installer during 2009.
"Partnering with Suntech, a top-tier manufacturer offering a broad assortment of high-quality solar panels, better equips Standard Solar to fulfill its rapidly growing customer requirements from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to North Carolina and Virginia," said Scott Wiater, Vice President of Procurement at Standard Solar.
"Suntech looks forward to partnering with Standard Solar in supplying cleaner, cost-effective solutions to businesses, government agencies and homeowners. In addition to reducing the dependence on highly polluting fossil fuels, we believe that the solar industry can also help to generate new domestic, green jobs," said Roger Efird, President, Suntech America, Inc.
Full articleLabels: News, photovoltaic, solar panels, Solar power, STP, Suntech Power
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY ESTABLISHED (IRENA)
Officials from participating countries are expected to sign a treaty to officially create the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an international organization created to promote renewable energy options on a global scale. The founding conference for IRENA is being held this week in Bonn, Germany.
Acting as the global voice for renewable energies, IRENA will provide practical advice and support for both industrialized and developing countries, help them improve their regulatory frameworks and build capacity, the organization says. The agency will facilitate access to all relevant information, including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and technological expertise.
"The creation of IRENA sends a clear signal to markets worldwide that renewable energy will be a public policy priority for many years to come and shows that policy-makers are serious about fighting global warming," comments Mike Ahearn, CEO of First Solar. "We encourage the United States and all other nations that have not yet committed to join IRENA to actively support its vision of a more sustainable environment for future generations."
On other sources:
First Solar Applauds International Renewable Energy InitiativeSolar IndustryLabels: First Solar Inc, International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, News, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Solar Projects
Claymore/MAC Global Solar Index (NYSE:TAN) SolarStocks ETF Making new lows
Claymore/MAC Global Solar Index (ETF) (Public,
NYSE:TAN) is making new lows for the year, after another down session today, with solarstocks like
ESLR(Evergreen Solar, Inc.) and
SOLR(GT Solar International, Inc.) leading the losses.
Here is the chart for the last 5 months, still above the November record lows:
Labels: Claymore, ETF, Global Solar Index, MAC, TAN
Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights: Clean Energy Fuels, SunPower, Verasun Energy, Canadian Solar and First Solar
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zacks.com announces the latest Industry Outlook. Today’s outlook from Zacks Equity Research analyst Jon Kolb discusses the Alternative Energy sector. Highlighted stocks include: Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE), SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWRA), Verasun Energy (NYSE: VSE), Canadian Solar (Nasdaq: CSIQ) and First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR).
Here is the latest on the Alt-Energy sector:
In President Obama's Inaugural Address on January 20, 2009, T. Boone Pickens, Texas oilman, Chairman and CEO of BP Capital and Director of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE), along with millions of Americans, heard our new President Obama pledge to transform U.S. energy policy. Mr. Pickens is committed to this goal and believes that the president's goals are bold yet achievable.
Read the full article
hereLabels: Canadian Solar Inc., CLNE, CSIQ, First Solar Inc, FSLR, SPWR, SunPower Corp, VSE
210-megawatt solar-power plant proposed for California
Some news concerning SunPower Corporation (Public, NASDAQ:
SPWRA):
SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- An official at the California Public Utilities Commission proposed Tuesday that regulators approve a power purchase agreement between a unit of PG&E Corp. (PCG) and solar-panel maker SunPower Corp. (SPWRA).
The contract is for 550 gigawatt-hours a year for 25 years from a 210-megawatt solar-power plant that SunPower has proposed building in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The project will use solar panels made with monocrystalline silicon cells that will be mounted on tilted single-axis tracking systems, according to a proposed decision by CPUC Executive Director Paul Clanon.
Full article at
money.comLabels: News, Solar Plant, Solar power, SPWR, SunPower Corp
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) and Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) to Jointly Power a Landmark Middle Eastern Solar Project
With the giant sell-off in the markets today, as Obama sweared-in, many solar stocks are suffering, STP and JASO are taking the big hits while FSLR and SOLF are having a normal down day.
Considering the normally high volatility of solarstocks, it could be worse, since the S&P500 and NASDAQ are down more than 4.5%
Some yesterday's news:
Rival photovoltaic (PV) modules manufacturers, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR ) and Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP ) will complement their efforts to power a $15 billion futuristic city of Masdar, under construction in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The firms have been approved by Masdar Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company to supply 5 MW of thin film solar modules each, for a 10 MW solar power farm that is being developed by Enviromena Power Systems based in the oil-rich Abu Dhabi emirate. Expected to be the biggest in the whole of Middle East region, the system will generate electricity for what is supposed to be the world’s only carbon neutral and zero-waste city.
Solar energy will be used as a first choice power solution by more than 50 000 residents and 1 500 businesses that are expected to be part of Masdar upon its completion. Electric travel pods, waste and water recycling, as well as natural ventilation, will be some of the environmentally friendly measures to be used in the city.
SourceLabels: First Solar Inc, FSLR, NASDAQ, News, Solar Plant, Solar power, Solar Projects, SP500, STP, Suntech Power
Can You Go Cheaper Than First Solar?
And with the markets closed today, there's time to read more news articles.
Over at Greentech Media:
Can You Go Cheaper Than First Solar?Colorado's BrightPhase Energy says it can dramatically lower the total cost of solar power by exploiting photovoltaics, solar thermal and natural light.
Full articleLabels: News, photovoltaic, Solar power, Solar Technology, Thermal Storage
What's In Store For Alternative Energy With Obama's Cabinet?
Interesting read at Alt Energy Stocks:
As the Obama inauguration nears and his cabinet picks are made public, the impact of his presidency on the alternative energy sector is becoming more tangible. During the campaign, we heard plenty on Barack Obama's views on environmental regulation, climate change and alternative energy. But what about the people who will be advising him day-to-day on these matters, and who will be ambassadors both inside and out of the country for the administration's policies?
Read the rest
hereLabels: News, photovoltaic, Solar power, Solar Technology, tax incentives
Abu Dhabi to keep investing in solar energy despite crisis
ABU DHABI (AFP) — Oil-rich Abu Dhabi said Monday it will press ahead with plans to develop solar energy, shrugging off a huge drop in oil prices which is cutting the emirate's revenues.
"The current economic situation has no impact on Masdar's intended and planned projects," said Sultan al-Jaber, chief executive of Masdar, the government-owned Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company charged with developing clean energy.
The company's most prestigious project is developing Masdar City in Abu Dhabi -- a 22-billion-dollar cluster city that is to have zero carbon emissions.
"We still have an appetite to look for further opportunities," Jaber told reporters on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit 2009 in the United Arab Emirates' capital.
"We are looking beyond the current economic terms," he said in reference to the global economic crisis which has reduced demand for oil.
Full News ArticleLabels: News, Solar Technology, solarstocks
Solar Stocks Earnings
Some solar companies are going to release earnings in the next weeks, so here is the list:
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) will announce its fourth-quarter and year-end 2008 earnings in a conference call on Thursday, January 29th at 1:30 p.m.
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) will report financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 27, 2008, after market close on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The Company will hold its quarterly and year end conference call to discuss these results at 4:30 p.m. EST
Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:ESLR) is on Thursday, February 5
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:ENER) announces on Monday, February 9
Labels: Earnings, ENER, Energy Conversion Devices Inc, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, First Solar Inc, FSLR, solarstocks, SPWR, SunPower Corp
Gabelli & Co Reiterates Bullish Stance on First Solar, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:FSLR)
After a downgrade, any stading buy rating is very bullish on FSLR stock, going up today 9%
January 15, 2009 11:18 AM EST
Gabelli & Co is reiterating their Buy rating on First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) after strong results from 5N+ yesterday, which provides them increased confidence that FSLR is faring better than most solar plays.
The firm also said, "management noted that other CdTe based solar vendors were struggling given the difficult environment for financing...in sharp contrast to the rest of the solar sector."
The firm remains confident in their estimates for FSLR for 4Q '08, $435mm revenues and EPS of $1.37, as well as for FY '09, EPS of $8.00, and continue to recommend the purchase of shares at current level.
First Solar, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:FSLR) Chart continues Bullish for the short term, with a decent uptrend in the last 2 months:
It's probably a good moment to go long for a short term trade.
Labels: First Solar Inc, FSLR, News, solarstocks
USA states step back on solar funding
By CHRIS KAHN – 59 minutes ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Homeowners who waited until this year to install rooftop solar panels and take advantage of a hefty new government subsidy might not get the payback they anticipated.
As federal subsidies are rolled out, states under severe economic strain and utilities have slashed their own solar incentives, and as a result, cut the expected discount by thousands of dollars in some cases.
"It's two steps forward, one step back," said Jeff Wolfe, CEO of Vermont-based solar installer groSolar. "It's frustrating."
In Massachusetts, for example, the Commonwealth Solar program cut its rebate by $1 per watt on Jan. 1, reducing the overall discount by $3,000 for a 3 kilowatt solar panel system. In Colorado, customers of Xcel Energy Inc. saw a similar rebate cut, and they'll pay more now to install solar than they would have a year ago.
Labels: News, Solar Energy, Solar Funding
First Solar, Inc. downgraded
First Solar, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:FSLR) is down -5.4% with the following downgrade.
NEW YORK (AP) - A Citi analyst on Tuesday downgraded solar power technology company First Solar Inc. to "Hold" from "Buy" on concerns over inventory supply and future demand.
Analyst Timothy Arcuri said Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar is the best positioned company in the solar sector in the long run. However, its stock has rallied 60 percent from recent lows. That, combined with inventory and demand concerns, justify its new "Hold" rating, the analyst said.
Arcuri said he expects the sector as a whole to face demand challenges into 2010. Despite the recent rally of solar stocks on a pending government stimulus bill and First Solar's pipeline of sizable utility-scale deals, Arcuri said that incremental demand from the bill will draw from only 20 percent of the excess cell and module supply in 2009 and up to 40 percent of that supply in 2010.
Labels: downgrade, First Solar, First Solar Inc, FSLR, Solar Stocks
China to Build Solar Power Plants in 2009
Beijing, Jan 12 (Prensa Latina) Two large solar power plants will be built in the Chinese provinces of Qinghai and Yunnan this year, as part of a nationwide project to boost renewable energy.
Qinghai's solar station will cost 146 million dollars and will be jointly built by China Technology Development Group and Qinghai New Energy Group.
In the beginning, the plant will generate 30 megawatts, but after completion, it will produce one gigawatt and will be the world's largest solar power plant, investors said.
Works on another solar power plant will begin in the southern Yunnan province. The plant will produce 166 megawatts and will cost 1.3 billion dollars.
SourceLabels: China, News, Solar Plant, Solar power
Solar Power Plastic
Solar innovator Konarka Technologies took in $45 million in strategic funding to further develop its new product for sunlight conversion called Power Plastic and bring it to market. Oil and gas company Total provided the round, acquiring a 20 percent stake in Lowell, Mass.-based Konarka. It hopes to integrate the plastic solar film into products made and used by its subsidiaries, including Hutchinson, Sartomer and Bostik.
The Power Plastic line is prized for being lightweight, flexible and easily scalable for a variety of purposes. Its current conversion rate of sunlight to energy is six percent, but future incarnations should up that figure.
SourceLabels: Konarka Technologies, News, Power Plastic, solar panels, Solar power
Suntech Power office goes all green!
Commodity Online
SAN FRANCISCO: In a giant leap for the green energy sector, Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd, the world’s largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, crossed the 1GW PV cell and module production capacity in Wuxi, China.
The company also made history by announcing the opening of its new headquarters in Wuxi that incorporates a 1MW grid-connected building integrated solar facade, which is the largest in the world.
Suntech Power goes all green!Labels: solar panels, Solar power, STP, Suntech Power
Claymore/MAC Global Solar Index (ETF) (Public, NYSE:TAN)
The Solar Energy ETF is recovering nicely in the last few weeks, along with the rest of the solarstocks.
TAN Chart:
Only time will tell if this is the start of a longer term trend, or just a little bounce.
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (ADR) (Public, NYSE:STP), as an example, doubled in less than two months!
The news regarding new solar subsidies are heating the solar stocks sector again...
Labels: Claymore, ETF, First Solar Inc, Global Solar Index, MAC, Solar Stocks Performance, solarstocks, STP, Suntech Power, TAN
Thin Film Solar Technologies
By Paulo Nery
The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is clearly in a rapid growth phase. The worldwide industry size was recently estimated at $50 billion. Over the past few years, production capacity is thought to have grown at an average of 48% each year and cumulative global production is now at 12.4 Giga Watts (GW). It is also an industry on the brink of change. New technologies are emerging that seem certain have an impact on the entire shape of the PV industry.
Since they were first developed in the 50’s there have been no major changes to the basic crystalline silicon solar cell. But significant improvements are now taking place with several competing innovations vying for position. Crystalline silicon cells, which come in mono and poly crystalline forms, are now being referred to as “first generation” PV. These mature technologies have experienced dramatic growth in volumes. But with shortages of silicon and high prices affecting finished costs, the volumes are dropping. If silicon prices drop further we could yet see more competitive prices for these solar PV modules. But there’s only so much that prices can drop with that technology.
Second generation PV, or thin film technology, holds out the real promise of more price competitive systems because they can be manufactured with dramatically less material, shorter supply chains and cheaper, faster processes. Thin film is still a nascent industry and competition between players is much more about intellectual property and access to capital than the manufacturing efficiencies that drive the first generation PV makers. So there are lower prices from improved efficiency to be anticipated still.
Solar Stocks: First Solar, Inc.(NasdaqGS: FSLR),Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.( United Solar Ovonics) (NasdaqGS: ENER) , XsunX, (OTCBB:XSNX), SolarWorld (SRWRF.PK), Sanyo Electric (SANYY.PK)
Full article:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/ViewDocument.asp?ID=5697Labels: ENER, Energy Conversion Devices Inc, First Solar Inc, FSLR, News, SolarWorld, Thin film solar cells
