CSIQ – Bargain Hunting in the Chinese New Year Written By: Eben Esterhuizen 2007-02-28 20:28:03 U.S. listed photovoltaic (PV) companies based in China are experiencing a significant sell-off after the Shanghai Composite index tumbled 9% on February 27. Many analysts believe that the (seemingly unjustified) drop in these shares has brought valuations back to attractive levels, creating a buying opportunity. They point out that the fate of China-based PV companies is not directly tied to the economic future of China. The bulk of sales of China-based PV manufacturers (>80%) are to Europe and the U.S.
I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that SunPower (SPWR - Last trade $49.92), the darling of the solar sector, trades at a P/E ratio of 133+. With the industry average P/E ratio at 25.70, not everyone can afford SPWR. The good news is that you can still gain exposure to SPWR at a lower cost.
Dell and Google: Way to Go Green! Written By: Jeanne Roberts 2008-04-07 10:04:23 ENN, the Environmental News Network, recently announced that Dell (DELL - $19.53), the world's largest mail-order computer vendor and maker of the infinitely adaptable Dell PC and laptop computers, was running its 2.1-million square foot Round Rock facility entirely on renewable energy.
Dreaming of a Solar-Fueled Democracy Written By: Eben Esterhuizen 2008-01-29 01:46:40
Imagine the following: You are on the operating table as surgeons perform a delicate procedure on the artery supplying blood to your brain, when, without warning, the lights go out. For 10 terrifying minutes you wait - fully conscious, as you have been throughout the operation - as computerized medical equipment re-starts, using power from an emergency generator.
Efficiency is the Name of the Game Written By: Mark Bershatsky 2007-03-22 22:59:16 While we have noted that solar power can be harnessed in many different applications, on-site generation in both residential and commercial settings is the fastest growing segment of photovoltaics (PV) in the US. At least this is true in California, where the majority of the nation's solar generation is currently being installed. This is due to the California Solar Initiative (CSI), a program designed by the state government to encourage solar installation by providing incentives to make it cost effective (as PV is the costliest form of power generation without subsidies - at 3-5x more expensive than electricity generated by traditional fossil fuels). By 2017, when the program expires, the goal is to have 3,000 megawatts of solar-produced electricity in the state.
