Sometimes the best scientific discoveries are made by accident. "We were doing research on the chemical reactions on metal surfaces and, on a hunch, I said let's look at semiconductors, without a clear plan," said Eric Mazur, a physicist at Harvard University, about an experiment done in 1998. A decade later, it looks like his accidental discovery may revolutionize solar technology.
Will Higher Volatility Leave Solar Stocks In the Shade? Written By: Eben Esterhuizen 2007-06-13 23:34:35 It has been a crazy week in stock markets, with U.S. yields pushing higher and stocks trading sharply lower. The Fed's Geithner feels that volatility in U.S. Treasuries, at the highest in almost two years, may be returning to "normal." What's going on here, and how can solar investors position themselves for higher volatility?
Will Q-Cells be the First Victim of a Solar Bubble? Written By: Eben Esterhuizen 2007-02-28 14:55:36 Solid opportunities to invest in the solar boom exist, but many investors are starting to worry about the high valuation of stocks in the solar industry. Many feel that the worldwide silicon shortage is a major threat to solar's growth, but the silicon shortage is leading to a pickup in M&A activity in order to achieve economies of scale. M&A expectations and increased investment demand for ethical investments are pushing valuations higher, making some investors nervous about a potential solar bubble.
Will The Chinese Bubble Burn Solar Investors? Written By: Eben Esterhuizen 2007-05-24 20:18:37 There's a new Chinese solar stock in town, with Nanjing-based China Sunergy (CSUN - Last trade $13.71) rising 51% on its first trading day on May 17. And there is more to come: China-based LDK Solar and Yingli Green Energy will also make their debuts on the New York Stock Exchange during the next few weeks.
Investing in a Chinese solar company allows you to kill two birds with one stone: you can ride the clean-tech wave and access the growth in China's economy. But if you want to buy a Chinese solar company, brace yourself for the Chinese asset bubble.
Photo:lynnieb, Creative Commons, Flickr
Is the solar industry about to sell its soul? The emerging consensus is that solar is a commodity, and the only thing that matters is cost per watt. The quicker the industry can reduce costs, the quicker solar technology can be introduced to the masses, and the more valuable your solar investments become. But how far is the solar industry willing to go to reduce costs and maximize profitability?
