Nine Hot Geothermal Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio

One of the alternative energy industries that hasn't received much press coverage is the geothermal group of stocks. Geothermal generation utilizes natural underground heat sources that powers a turbine which turns a generator. The word 'geothermal' comes from the Greek words 'geo', which means 'earth', and 'therme,' which means 'heat'. As it turns out, several of these geothermal stocks have been steaming in terms of stock price.

Here is the list:

Calpine Corporation (CPNLQ.PK), was founded in 1984. This San Jose-based company provides electricity in the United States, and Canada through the ownership, and operation of its own power generation plants. It owns 19 geothermal power plants at The Geysers in California. Its earnings have been negative, but revenues were up about 27% for the latest quarter.

Constellation Energy Group (CEG), was founded in 1906. This electrical generating company owns, and operates generating plants and fuel processing facilities utilizing various types of fuel including nuclear, coal, natural gas, oil, solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass. It has a P/E of 15.8, and a PEG of 1.43. Its yield is 2%.

IdaCorp, Inc. (IDA), is the holding company that owns the Idaho Power Company, which is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy primarily in southern Idaho, and eastern Oregon. Its electrical generation comes from hydroelectric, natural gas, diesel, coal, and geothermal plants. It has a P/E of 12.6, and a PEG of2.92. It has a yield of 3.8%.

Nevada Geothermal Power, Inc. [NGLPF.OB], explores for, and develops geothermal projects in the United States to provide electricity. It owns a 100% leasehold interest in the Blue Mountain, Pumpernickel, and Black Warrior projects in Nevada, and the Crump Geyser Project, in southern Oregon.

Ormat Technologies Inc. (ORA), is a Nevada-based company, that was founded in 1965, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange. It owns, and operates geothermal power plants, that sell electricity in the United States, Guatemala, Kenya, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. It also provides products, and services to other geothermal power generators. It has a P/E of 70.2, a PEG of 2.67, and a yield of 0.5%.

PG&E Corp. (PCG), is a California-based electric, and gas utility which serves 5 million customers. Its electrical generation comes from natural gas, nuclear, hydro, coal, geothermal, wind, and several other types of renewable sources. It has a P/E of 15.6, and a PEG of 2.08. Its yield is 3.2%.

Polaris Geothermal (PGTHF.PK), is a developer of renewable energy in Latin America. It is currently developing a 66 MW geothermal project on its San Jacinto Tizate concession in Nicaragua.

Raser Technologies (RZ), is a Utah-based company that was founded in 2003, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange. It develops high performance electric motor, and controller technology. In addition, it has secured geothermal rights to certain Nevada properties owned by Truckee River Ranches, LLC, under the terms of a 50-year lease agreement. Its earnings have been negative.

Sierra Geothermal Power Corp [SRAGF.PK)], is a developer of renewable power from geothermal sources. It has investments in 15 geothermal projects located in Nevada, and California.

U.S. Geothermal Inc. (UGTH.OB) , is a Boise-based company, that was founded in 2002. It is involved in the development of geothermal energy power plants in the Raft River area of Idaho. Its earnings for the latest quarter were negative.

Western GeoPower Corp [WGPWF.PK] , develops geothermal energy projects. It owns the Unit 15 Steam Field located in The Geyser Geothermal Field in California, and in the South Meager Geothermal Project in British Columbia, Canada.

WFI Industries (WFILF.PK), is a Fort Wayne, Indiana company that develops, and manufactures geothermal heating and cooling systems, for both residential, and commercial customers. It has a P/E of 35.5.

Disclosure: The author does not own any of the above.