VSD

Solar Breaks Oil Price Dependence

These stocks are trading on technicals and not fundamentals. I would trade and not invest in these stocks.

As Intel Joins the Solar Sector, Is There Room for Everyone?

The bigger question is if Solar is going to win as the alternative fuel of choice. That is not a foregone conclusion yet. Solar energy replaces Natural Gas generated Electricity and Coal. It does not replace Oil. As such it is a not a alternate energy technology but a "clean feul" technology.

It would be very foolish to not use the abundant coal that we already have. Clean coal technologies are better alternatives to Solar.

Also, without utilities signing on to Solar in a big way there won't be the market that can support 36 (and counting) solar companies. The decision for utilities is always a political one. We would have to wait until after the elections to know if utilities will adopt solar. If you look at who runs utilities you will notice they have vested interest in nat gas and coal. They are not going to just abandon it and move to solar.

Today's solar market is mainly europe and mainly residential and subsidized through FITs. Without US adopting solar at the utility level, this technology is not going to take off. So to answer your question, I don't yet think there is a market there even for JUST intel.

Which Are the Bargains In Solar Stocks?

Solar is not driven purely by economic forces. There is a whole subsidy angle; not to mention local angle. Utilities will buy more solar products from local manufacturers and they will only convert to solar grid if their local govts. will subsidize.

I do not think P/E or any other multiple will reflect this complication. It also means there will never be a monopoly in solar industry which might be a good thing.