rooferguy

Chinese Government Picks Trina Solar over Competitors

For simplicity we should rename these two companies TRINGLI.

I don't think anyone could tell the difference in their pricing, technology, China deals, vertical integration, European sales or U.S. marketing strategy. Suntech is the only Chinese company that has any traction building a brand, reputation or distribution in the U.S.

Finding the Most Undervalued Green Energy Company

Instead of commodity manufacturers, might be worth looking downstream, like Andalay and Lowe's:
abcnews.go.com/Busines...

One in Two Solar Firms Will Fail, Say Analysts

Solar is an industry with lots of players in the value chain. The fact that there is an oversupply of modules only means that one part of the value chain will suffer (and I agree, the suffering will result in a lot of module manufacturers disappearing). Silicon suppliers may do well. Inverter companies should thrive. As much lower prices make the economics for customers very compelling, installers should do very well. The business is likely to take off when cheap, easy-to-install panels are available to electricians and roofers all over the country.

There is a great deal of price elasticity in consumer behavior. We're likely to see a sustainable boom in solar power installations starting next year when these lower prices filter down to residential and commercial customers.

Dark Skies Ahead for Solar Sector

The solar sector is much more than the upstream suppliers. Continued solar panel price declines are the absolute best thing for customers. When we go from $4.00/watt to $1.75/watt for panels -- and find ways to reduce installation costs even further -- commercial and residential customers can generate their own electricity for much less than their utility. It's called grid parity and demand will increase rapidly. Commodity panel suppliers will suffer with low margins (that's why it's called a commodity) but other parts of the value chain will benefit.

Economic and Technical Factors Create Winners and Losers in the Solar Cell Market

As an installer I can tell you that BIPV is the most expensive approach when installation labor is considered. It makes sense for aesthetic considerations, but is almost always results in a more expensive and less efficient installation. Ordinary glass panels are the most cost effective, and plummeting silicon costs will extend this advantage.