robdoc

Is SunTech's Optimism Justified?

Great article.
A nice look ahead of things to come.
I think, however, that some of your statements are at least a little bit ethnocentric.

For instance:
"But the reality on the ground is China is committed to ensure their energy needs are met at all costs"

The idea that China has the ability to continue to expand coal fired plants at the current level neglects the health implications to the Chinese people.

Currently China is one of the most polluted countries on earth and the people suffer from it:
"Air pollution causes premature births, low-birth weight babies, and depresses lungs functioning in otherwise healthy people. It has also been blamed for China's rising rates of cancer. Lung cancer is now the leading cause of death in China. In the last five years the number of deaths from the disease has risen 18.5 percent to 34 per 100,000 people." WHO

The country is concerned about economic expansion in an effort to keep the populace happy. The Chinese are VERY much aware of the health implications of continued reliance on coal fired power.

"It is estimated that 26 percent of all deaths in China are caused by respiratory illnesses (compared with 2 or 3 percent in the U.S.). Many people in Beijing and Shanghai get hacking coughs. In rural areas, respiratory disease is the number one killer. It is impossible to say how many are caused by air pollution though and how many are caused by smoking or some other cause. " WHO

Although it is not clear how exactly this will factor into the coming economic expansion in China it is clear that it will be a factor. Do not discount this in your analysis.

Report: Solar Electricity Cost Likely to Fall 50% in 2009

I have seen a fair amount of comments about the true costs of fossil fuel production of energy, but many of these have a fair amount of biased statements and do not include sources. Can anyone refer me to a reputable site/source that speaks to the true subsidized costs of fossil fuel energy?

"Without government incentives, solar electricity remains more expensive in general than power from coal and natural gas power plants, however." Is there a good source to actually look at these costs?

China's Solar Industry Outshines the U.S.

Trader Mark,
Thank you for saying what needs to be said with all the attendant sarcasm.
The US is lagging way behind....and will continue to do so.
I scoured the internet to look for retail prices on PV modules yesterday...the clear cheapest was YGE which was almost half the cost per watt as all others.

SunPower Clings to March Lows

This certainly could be a good entry point for SPWRA...it depends upon the magnitude of the errors in accounting.
What are your thoughts on the overall integrity of the company?

Government Financing Slow to Drive Deals in Solar Sector

Thank you for the insight into the particulars surrounding subsidies.
It is very complicated and weighed down in quagmire it seems. It is unfortunate that other countries seem to be advancing at break neck speeds while the US attempts to make decisions and legislate.

Cadmium: Spent Energy?

Very complete article.
thanks.

Recovery Indicators: Finding Hope in Energy Trends

Very well written article.
The author builds upon the theme progressively and impressively.

It is hard to imagine a world in which energy will become cheaper (especially since most of it is derived from finite resources). Long run investors (including the Chinese) are positioning themselves to capitalize on this. The track records for these long run investors speak for themselves.

Shorts on Solar Companies Increase on Earnings Reports

Is this really an article.
Is no one editing?

Senator Schumer Misses the Full Picture on A-Power's Joint Texas Wind Farm

It's unclear what the Senator's motivation truly is in this process. The U.S. government is cumbersome, slow and plodding while the Chinese have the ability to make decisive moves quickly. With regard to renewable energy this allows for the edge to be with the Chinese.

Despite energy being potentially the biggest issue in the U.S. today (and probably having contributed to the great recession) the U.S. does not have a comprehensive energy policy.

It is interesting that the author is now long APWR where he had flipped in and out of it before. It would be nice to know what long actually means for the author.

Green Energy Experts: Why Do They Buy Solars?

Investing for the long haul sometimes means being concerned about true costs, consequences and the long term potential...not all of these can be boiled down to figures and $.
Solar is a very compelling story in the long run because we are just on the beginning of potential huge breakthroughs.
Solar thermal home systems are potentially the easiest, best way to invest in solar...with very quick payback time.
Just because a group of people don't agree with you on what to invest in doesn't mean that they need to "rethink their investment strategy".
The proof is in the pudding. Talk to me in five years and we'll see where we're at.

Harvest Energy: East vs. West in Terms of Oil

I really liked the thesis behind the article. It was well formulated and in line with what I have surmised.
It is interesting how xenophobic many assessments can be...it is always best to consider others approach to issues.

Investing in Clean Energy: Asking the Right Questions

It completely befuddles me that there are folks who continue to question the validity of global warming. Seriously reactionary thinking does not do anything to change the reality of the situation. Just because you want something to be so does not necessary make it so.
Happily believing that you are not driving off a cliff does not really do anything to help you as you careen off said cliff.
Wake the F up!

Picking Solar Energy Winners

Jack,
Thanks for introducing reality into the conversation of cost. I have yet to see anyone discuss the actual cost comparisons of solar Installed per watt.

As solar panel costs universally come down (which they will) a larger percentage of the cost of a system will be the racks etc. This will be even more true of the least efficient systems.

HChang,
I don't think that the fact that China endorsed FSLR means that China thinks that FSLR is the best company (or that it is bullet proof testimony for the company). There are a variety of reasons that China will benefit from the agreement with FSLR...not the least of which is extending an outstretched hand of peace in the what will soon become a trade battle with the US in solar. The Chinese have multiple companies that are ramping up their scale quickly and will soon saturate all markets if there truly is a free market. China creating an agreement with FSLR preemptively forces the hand of the US to be less protectionist.

Good article.
Thanks.

Suntech to SolarWorld: Careful What You Wish For

Great piece...very well written.
I have been wondering when this type of rhetoric would start raising its head...it really was only a matter of time.
I think that it would behoove US and European solar companies to tread lightly on the issue of protectionism. China has just offered the largest solar deal ever to FSLR and could readily reverse it if push came down to shove.
Chinese solar companies most probably will be hard to reckon with as a result of the price leverage that they are ever increasingly creating.

Chinese Solar Stocks Become More Attractive on First Solar Deal

Chinese solar stocks have been attractive for quite a while now for the long term investor. The title of this article should have been "Attractive Chinese Solar Stocks Become More Expensive on First Solar Deal".
The Chinese will push forward on alternative energy...and will probably do so at a pace that will not be able to be matched by the U.S.
"Buy when there is blood in the streets".