dan-d

Solar: Greece Offers Bait, But Few Takers

I repeat the need for energy is insatiable. All forms of energy will be required to sustain the species. Oil rather than the primary contributor to home and automobile energy needs must be utilized for agriculture, health, and manufacturing. It must become only a supplement to other energy requirements. It is therefore imperative for the leaders of nations to, instead of sticking their head in the sand in denial, encourage the utilization of solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal to meet the transportation and home energy consumption needs of their population. Failure to strongly support alternative energy developement could have dire consequences as the supply of oil diminishes and the price continues to rise. This scenario is a sure way to more conflict and suffering for the masses. The choice is clear. Alternative energy is necessary for a saner safer future. Both for humanity and the planet that sustains us.

Book Review: 'Game Over' by Stephen Leeb

All energy sources will be needed in the future. Since we, as a specie, are adding 100,000,000 new souls to the planet each year.
It should be obvious, even to the most obtuse, that the need for energy is insatiable. Fossil sources are finite and polluting and nuclear has major risks and will become increasingly expensive.
Alt energy sources will become more and more effective as time goes on and can be used for many of the current energy needs.
The key for the investor is, AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, picking the right horse. BOLA

Porter Stansberry: Sea Change in U.S. Natural Gas Industry

Stansberrys' dissing of alt energy is humorous and his knowledge of subsidy utilization throughout the energy industry, bar none, is in serious deficit. The need for energy from what ever source is insatiable throughout the world. Coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear, wind, geothermal, and solar will all be utilized to meet this need. There is money to be made in investing in the right areas of all these sources of energy production. One important factor to remember is that fossils, and nuclear are expensive in lives to secure sources and pollution issues. Also they are nearing the end of their life cycles. Alt energy is just beginning and will experience serious major long term growth. I do agree with his assessment of First Solar as being tremendously over valued. Their only selling point is they are cheap. Unfortunately, they are also made with known carcinogens and are very inefficient relative to many of their more expensive silicon panel competitors. However, First Solar is so well capitalized that they will be able to survive into the future but not without serious competition and product revamping. He is right to short it at this time.

Evergreen Solar's Long Term Outlook

Thank you for a fact based article on Evergreen Solar which clearly states the risks/benefits at play with this company. Anyone reading the article cannot help but be impressed with the objectivity put forth.
It should help them decide whether or not the ESLR stock is to speculative or not for their individual taste. As a long term investor I have dealt with each of the negative issues as they have unfolded over the past year. My personal opinion has remained constant in believing the eventual ROI is well worth the risk. Solar is a tremendous growth industry in it's infancy. Evergreen not only produces a premier product but meets the stated national goals of the current administration of creating good jobs, protecting the environment, and achieving energy independence. Once again, thank you for your comprehensive and fair look at Evergreen Solar.

Evergreen Outsources Cell and Panel Production to China's Jiawei Solar

.What a shame, a innovative company that has been formulated and developed through innovation right here in the USA is now forced to outsource to china. So much for encouraging american manufacturing in a growth industry which is completely in line with the stated national policy goals of energy independence and a cleaner environment. Once again america does all the brain work and developes a new technology only to have very little to show for it here at home. Billions, or should I say trillions, to bail out corrupt bankers but nothing for the workers or great startup. How pathetic we have become.

Cramer: Jon Stewart Interview Was a 'Complete and Utter Ambush'

Reference Jim Cramer's interview on the Stewart show. Cramer acts like a comedian on his own show. He schills for a myriad of loser stocks and he was caught on tape basically denigrating the average investor. He is a wealthy man and as far as honor is concerned, has none, that I can discern. Last reporting of his sucess rate on picking stocks was about 40%. That's less than the old throw a dart at the stock page average. He is overpaid, overhyped, and overjoyed at the noteriety he received from the "controversy" resulting from his appearance. No sympathy for the crocodile tears he is now shedding so profusely.

Testing Plug-In Hybrids: What the Results Mean

It true, most people cannot afford a prius or other energy efficient vehicle. Someday a car will be developed, like the VW was in the 30's , that the average income earner can afford. Probably that day it not to far away but, until then, smog producing gas engines are their only choice.

First Ever Solar City Planned for Sunshine State

Great, no more deaths in coal mines. No more deaths fighting for control of oil fields. No more political/economic games by egomaniacal despots around the world. Yeah, compared to these things the cost of wind and solar is really astronomical. So far no soldiers have died half way around the world fighting to gain control of a wind or solar farm. Bring'em on!

Five Top Solar Power Stocks

One of the most incompetent articles I have ever read in Seeking Alpha. Tell the author to go back to school and graduate before he ever submitts anything else for publication. So many factual errors it's really an embarassment.

Why Is First Solar So Far Ahead of the Competition?

First Solar, imo. got the jump on silicon competition by having deep pocket investors and achieving, as mentioned, economy of scale the quickest. However, the recent drop in the price of silicon by 75% and increasing scale by silicon panel producers will soon wipe out the early advantages First Solar has enjoyed. These factors along with the fact that thin film panels are half as efficient as silicon panels,the fact telluride is extrordinarily limited in supply and expensive, a component of First Solar panels, cadmiun is a highly carginogenic material, and it takes about twice the sq. footage of area to get comparable wattage as silicon are several of factors which will weight heavily on First Solar profitability going forward. Recent downgrades in pps are due to these concerns. First Solar is now a great short play, just as silicon panel manufacturers have been for the past year.

Obama Just Pulled a 'Reagan' on the Automakers

Until the wage base for american workers reaches some accomodation with that of other countries we cannot be competative in the manufacturering sector ever. However the high wage base combined with the stupidity of a management team and bod who allowed themselves to be manipulated by big oil and actually thought they were being smart is the true reason GM has pathetically failed.
There have been many players in this sad tale of political and corporate greed. There is blame enough for all. The american people love to listen to people who play to their egos more than they listen to what their minds would tell them is common sense.
Time for americans to grow up and take responsibility for the mess we are all in. President O is leading the way.

Want Solar Panels? China Will Pick Up the Tab

Thanks Zach, I appreciate your reply. Nice article overall.

On Mar 30 08:55 AM Zachary Scheidt wrote:

> Thanks for the comments guys... Just a few notes:
>
> DanD - The reason I didn't cover many of the US solar manufacturers
> is because this deal was announced in China. For whatever it is worth,
> I have looked at ESLR and up to this point they have not turned a
> profit. But that may be changing and the stock could be worth looking
> at now that they have started to turn. You may want to take a look
> at posts on ZachStocks that mention solar - here is a link: zachstocks.com/?s=solar
>
>
> Road Runner - The release did not give many details and we definitely
> need to look into this. It seems clear this is a large undertaking,
> but it will take some time for the full picture to unwind. As for
> the political benefits China enjoys, I understand your argument but
> also am thankful to live in a free society where my property cannot
> be taken without due course. China can certainly move its population
> around at the government's direction, but that isn't necessarily
> always a good thing.
>
> PeteK - I wonder if this "burnt twice" issue could be the wall of
> worry that helps this market to climb. When people are the most skeptical
> and all the weak hands have been flushed out, that can lead to powerful
> rallies. This is often why you see markets "test" important low points
> (thereby burning investors a second time) before sustainable bull
> markets. Just an observations.
>
> Alpha247 - I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist. I suppose you may
> be able to find some market manipulation but I haven't seen any actual
> proof. The bottom line is that I think these stocks are moving up
> - and manipulation or not, there is strong potential to make investment
> gains in the coming months.
>
> Good luck to all this week!
> Zach
> zachstocks.com

Barron's Is Wrong: Solar Offers Good Value

The problem for thin film producers of solar panels, especially FSLR, is the lower price of silicon will greatly erode the price advantage of thin film which has propelled their sales. Add to that the lower efficiency (about half) compared to si based panels and the distinct possibility of the cost of telluride going up in the case of First Solar and it's going to be rough sleighing to maintain impressive profit margins in the future. The scenario will probably be thin film producers share prices will fall and silicon panel producers will rise somewhat. Of course while they still have great share prices, again in the case of First Solar, partnerships may occur between both entities with mutual benefits. As to Barron's article, Barrons is nothing more than a schill for fossil fuel producers and have not yet, like Exxon that is still the biggest user of single hulled oil tankers, understood the crucial nature of the for alternative energy sources. Oil is finite, human kinds need for energy is infinite and insatiable.

Want Solar Panels? China Will Pick Up the Tab

Also the chinese will take what the government allows them to have. Noticed you didn't even mention the other american based solar panel manufacturer, Evergreen Solar, which was up 15% on friday. This is in addition to a 100% rise over the past 3 -4 weeks. What gives? Pumping chinese stocks is nice but don't forget viable american based companies since a stated government policy goals are job creation, decreased carbon production, and energy independence. Don't you think Evergreen deserves a look?

President's Budget Campaign Provides Solar Opportunities

Certain american based companies such as FSLR and ESLR solar panel makers should benefit immensely from this plan. Evergreen Solar has the smallest carbon footprint of all solars. It is a "diamond in the rough' according to Motley Fool and has a 5 star rating with Morningstar. It is a bit speculative but seems to be coming out of a streak of bad breaks. With the cap and trade on carbon a boost is all but inevitable. This could easily be a ten bagger if accumulated at current pricing. Disclosure of course I own FSLR which was a twenty bagger for me and I have recently purchased ESLR. GL all.