Global Warming Examiner

Solar Breaks Oil Price Dependence

The price of oil should not directly affect the demand for solar cells. Solar creates electricity while oil is used for transportation. Solar will be more affected by the ability of utilities to burn more coal, cost of natural gas (alternative to solar assuming you can't burn coal), price and availability of wind power.
Tax credits for solar power are currently the biggest factor in demand. Due to governments indecisive nature on future credits, solar stocks can have very large price swings as expectations change with political fortune. US government will be deciding on extending credits that expire the end of this year.

Solar's Warm, But Not Hot - Barron's

Subsidies to renewable energy, including solar, is one thing that congress agrees on.

The 'Problem' With Solar Companies is Not Really a Problem

Solar still requires subsidies as the cost is higher than comparable fossil fuel power. The cost of fossil fuel is going up and the cost of solar is going down. Some solar uses are cost effective now. I would expect that solar subsidies will drop per unit, but not be eliminated. Even will Spain cutting back subsidies, they are not the only country. There should still be enough demand for the industry to grow rapidly for the next several years.

Solar Symbiosis: Making a Clean Break

There is a lot to say about solar power. One point: it really is a win for the power companies. They need to have generating capacity for peak demand, which, in a lot of places occurs on a hot, sunny summer day (with little wind). That is when air conditioning demand is the greatest and also the peak for solar power production. Even though solar power is much more expensive than base generating capacity, it becomes more feasible when compared to the cost of providing peak capacity from generating units that only run part of the day. Time of use pricing is designed to smooth out the load to the utility so they can make maximum use of their capital equipment.