Wayfarer

China's Solar Stock Rally: Avoid Being Burned

Good article. You didn't even mention the state of the world economy. Solar is not going to come out of this right away because the world economy is not going to. Solar is linked at the hip to financials because of the need for long term financing. Notice also, that SPWR has not participated in this run up. Until they get much more support from China the Chinese solar stocks are overpriced.

Renewable Energy Is at the Center of the Presidential Debate

A square 100 miles on a side in the Arizona desert filled with solar thermal would supply all of the energy this nation currently uses and at today's prices. Solar thermal is also a baseload power because it can be stored as a salt brine in 'insulated vaults' for days. This, PV on roof tops, and wind can and will supply most of the power to the West within a few decades. It will be phased in as old coal and gas plants are retired. If a new transmission grid is built the Southwest can supply the entire nation. Arizona power has begun construction on a 250 meg solar thermal plant south of Phoenix. California has a number that will soon break dirt.

Goldman Turns Cautious on Solar Sector

Goldman manipulates the market regularly. They talk about weakening demand but the government just passed a bill that will pay 30% of every solar job for the next 8 years. They didn't mention this? How could they miss this? The U.S. has become the 800lb gorilla in world solar demand. Goldman should never be trusted.

When Will Solar Be Cost-Competitive with Electricity?

First Solar advertisement. Cost/watt is less than half the story.

Lower Your Solar Electricity Costs with First Solar

Gumby, panels aren't that finicky. Maybe once a year for a scrubbing and once a month for a hose for dust, max. Now if you are stupid enough to put them under sap dripping tree that birds love, then you might be right.

Lower Your Solar Electricity Costs with First Solar

What are FSLRs installed costs, and what is the payback time, what is the total return over the life of the system, and how do these compare to STP and SPWR? All of this other stuff may matter to traders but not to long term investors.

First Solar Cheaper Than SunPower - Citi

I don't think SPWR and FSLR compete much anywhere other than Wall Street. Their solar efficiencies are too different. My question is how will the Cypress distribution affect SPWR? This is projected to have a report date in Sept and a distribution in Oct.

Game Changer in Solar Energy: PG&E Inks Deal

Jack,

Thanks for the further comments. I too believe alternative energies are a certainty and soon. There are a number of little thinfilms that have or will start production in the next year. On top of Optisolar which is evidently not so little there is Global Solar whose product is flexible and manufactured roll to roll. Their current efficiencies are 10% with projections of 13% in 2010. They have a partnership with DOW which might allow them to scale very rapidly at some point and the flexible product sounds very interesting for covering entire residential roofs.

Game Changer in Solar Energy: PG&E Inks Deal

Jack,

Thanks for the post. I too am confident a long term ITC will be passed within the next year. Also, do you have any idea what Optisolar's solar efficiency is? Their large 500 meg entry to the solar world makes me wonder if their solar efficiency is significantly better than FSLR's.

Game Changer in Solar Energy: PG&E Inks Deal

Thanks for the post but I think there must be a miss print in this. The articles say Sunpower's 250 MegWatt system will produce 550,000 megawatt-hours per year. It says Optisolar's 550 MegWatt system will produce 1,100,000 megawatt-hours per year.

This doesn't make any sense because it implies that Optisolar's thin film technology on an unmoving rack system is as efficient as Sunpowers 2 dimensional tracking system. No way.

Further, it is a pretty fair bet that Sunpower's panels will be 22% solar efficient or better. I seriously doubt if Optisolar is produciing a thin film with efficiencies approaching the 30% which would be necessary to make up for being rack mounted. First Solar's efficiencies are about 10.5%. If Optisolar is producing something approaching 30% it would change the world very quickly.

The Sharp Edge of Solar: Are Solar Stocks Cheap?

Yes, I was aware Sharp was a big solar player but like GE they are so diversified you can't make a targeted play. For instance, they make wonderfully dependable cheap microwaves.

Off subject but SPWR up about 17% this morning on a 250meg sale to PG&E. This also includes their two direction tracking system. Optisolar, startup thinfilm, got 500megs too but theirs is just rack mounted. I found it real interesting that Optisolar has the manufacturing capacity to quickly produce 500meg. They use a amorphous silicon which is not toxic like FSLR's cadTe. Might be time to start shorting FSLR

Thanks for your post,

Way

SEPA Report Showing End-Market Demand Disconnect Could Sink First Solar, SunPower

Anybody believe that ITC will only be given to utilities? The natural location for PV is rooftops because real estate and distribution costs are minimal. I don't believe are government is stupid enough rule that ITC does not go to home owners.

This is another anonymous piece that should be ignored.

Solar: Spain Subsidy-Slashing Rumors Send Stocks Lower

CEO of Sunpower said they would still meet guidance for 2009 regardless of what happens in Spain. Listen to conference call to confirm this. Solar will be up on Friday.

SCE Contracts Push First Solar Ahead

I wonder how much SCE paid for the panels. First Solar's panels have solar efficiencies that are only half of SunPowers. So SCE is only going to get back half as much energy from any roof they use First Solar's panels on. My bet is FS low balled this for the advertising effect.

Solar Shorts Keep On Rising Even As Oil Surprises

Can't go along with your oil bubble hypothasis. Production is stagnate since 2005 and inventories keep shrinking. I expect solar to run up here based on 2nd quarter financials.