Everyone is talking about solar. Whether you believe that solar energy will somehow displace an oil-driven economy or not (I don't), some of these stocks like First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) and JA Solar (NASDAQ: JASO) have seen big gains over the past few years.The success of solar companies has not been lost on ETF firms with their constant new products hitting the market. A smaller ETF firm called Claymore Securities looks to be first to the market with a solar ETF, the Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF, with an aptly-named ticker, (NYSE: TAN).
Here's Claymore's website for the recently launched ETF. From the firm's website, the index defines a company engaged in solar energy as falling into two main categories:
1. Solar photovoltaic power, which involves the conversion of sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic process; and
2. Thermal solar power, which involves using energy from the sun to heat fluids for purposes of water or space heating or to produce electricity.
The ETF firm explains why an ETF may be appropriate for investors and provides an investor guide.
Top Fund Holdings as of 5/12/08:
| Name | Weighting |
|---|---|
| FIRST SOLAR INC | 8.67 % |
| RENEWABLE ENERGY CORP AS | 7.54 % |
| Q-CELLS AG | 6.71 % |
| SUNTECH POWER HOLDINGS ADR | 5.47 % |
| LDK SOLAR CO LTD-ADR | 5.36 % |
Chinese, German and US firms occupy about 30% of the funds market cap apiece.
Zack Miller is the managing editor of IsraelNewsletter.com and a former equity analyst for a leading multinational hedge fund.
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