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SunPower's Outlook Brightens as Concerns on Nuclear Rise

Sunpower logoSunPower (SPWRA) saw an increase of more than 10% in its stock price on March 15. This trend was seen across almost all companies in the solar industry, including SunPower's competitors FirstSolar (FSLR), SuntechPower (STP), and Yingli Green Energy (YGE).

Our price estimate for SunPower's stock is at $14.41, about 10% below its current market price.

Continue reading SunPower's Outlook Brightens as Concerns on Nuclear Rise

ConocoPhillips Looks to Make Moves in New Energy Technologies

ConocoPhillips (COP), one of the largest oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world, recently announced that it will partner with NRG Energy and GE Capital to invest $300 million in a joint venture that will promote emerging energy technologies. ConocoPhillips has been a leader in development of new energy technologies with several of its activities focused on power generation and new technologies. Its main competitors are ExxonMobil (XOM), British Petroleum (BP), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC) and Chevron Corporation (CVX).

We maintain a $68.44 price estimate for ConocoPhillips stock, which is roughly 10% below market price.

Continue reading ConocoPhillips Looks to Make Moves in New Energy Technologies

Suntech Power: Stopped-Out for Loss

They don't all work out. Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP), first discussed here on July 28, 2009 at a price of $19.24, was stopped-out at $8 in late August, for an 11-point loss.

Suntech's shares, a high-risk stock, had recovered to about $11 in mid-summer after plunging in bear-hug fashion this spring from about $16 to $8.40.

The calculation in the summer was that photovoltaic cell manufacturer Suntech's long-term business prospects in China would offset short-term hits to revenue, due to price declines.

Continue reading Suntech Power: Stopped-Out for Loss

Deere & Co. to Sell Wind Energy Unit

Early Tuesday morning, tractor titan Deere & Co. (DE) announced that it will sell its wind energy business to a subsidiary of Exelon (EXC). The sale of John Deere Renewables will net the firm $900 million and will allow DE to turn its focus back to producing farm equipment.

Back in February, the company was looking at different options for its Renewables arm. DE will lose a bit of money in the exchange, as it invested roughly $1 billion in wind energy products during the past five years.

Continue reading Deere & Co. to Sell Wind Energy Unit

Nissan to Open U.S.-Based Electric Car Assembly Plant

Nissan has launched one of the first interactive iAd mobile marketing campaigns for the new Apple, Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 4, and it's taking the chance to promote its new all-electric Leaf passenger car. Although hybrid vehicles have been around in the U.S. for years (think Toyota Prius), all-electric cars have been limited to those teeny-tiny, mileage-limited vehicles. Nissan wants to change that with the four-door Leaf sedan.

Continue reading Nissan to Open U.S.-Based Electric Car Assembly Plant

Five Reasons to Buy Trina Solar

Trinasolar TSL logoTrina Solar (TSL) has had a rough couple of years. After a $10 IPO in 2006, it flew up to peak at $35 in 2007 only to bottom out under $4 at the end of 2008. It was partially the broader market that held back Trina, but also speculation over the viability of solar power as oil prices softened.

Trina Solar nearly became a bear market statistic. But the company has fought back from less than $3 a share to its current $25 price, and there are a lot of reasons to think that Trina Solar is making a comeback. In fact, it's one of my favorite small-cap stocks to buy this earnings season -- and here are five reasons why:

Continue reading Five Reasons to Buy Trina Solar

Growth and Income Experts Power Up FPL (FPL)

Two noted growth and income advisors -- Vita Nelson and Mark Skousen -- both recommend Florida utility provider, FPL (FPL).

In his High Income Alert, Skousen says, "In celebration of Earth Day, Florida Power & Light announced that its power generation fleet delivered 35% cleaner power than the industry average in 2009 -- a new record in clean generation for the utility." In her Direct Investing newsletter, Nelson selects the utility as her latest featured stock holding.

Continue reading Growth and Income Experts Power Up FPL (FPL)

Suntech Power Is a High Risk Investment with Considerable Upside Potential

Shares of photovoltaic play Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP), first discussed here on July 28, 2009 at a price of $19.24, continues to exasperate, but I still like the shares. Here's why:

Look for Suntech's 2010 revenue to surge 30-40% on increased customer demand and better financing arrangements. Meanwhile, China's solar subsidy program, as well as U.S. government initiatives to invest in renewable energy, should continue to stimulate sector growth. On the downside, retail prices may drop slightly in 2010.

Continue reading Suntech Power Is a High Risk Investment with Considerable Upside Potential

Ormat (ORA): Powered Up over Geothermal

Geothermal energy isn't a new concept in the United States; it's actually been around for some time, with numerous geothermal power plants in California, Nevada and a few other western states," says David Fessler.

The contributing editor to Money Morning explains, "There are new plants on the drawing board, too. Unfortunately, the recession has stifled the construction progress on many of them. But all that's about to change.

"Thanks to a few key technological developments -- and a big cash infusion from the government -- the stars are aligning to produce the perfect storm for this super-green energy source.

Continue reading Ormat (ORA): Powered Up over Geothermal

Westport Innovations Sees a Promising Future for Alternative Fuel Trucks

Readers of this space know that the preferred public policy has stance has the United States moving away from first dependency on oil imports, then dependency on oil, period.

And the reason is obvious enough: as convenient as oil has been, it's created havoc for the U.S. economy, via series of oil shocks. Hence, yours truly is always in search of that breakthrough, universal, accessible, affordable energy form that will final break oil's grip on the United States energy system. That breakthrough energy form has not appeared yet, but one that may contend for that title is natural gas.

Continue reading Westport Innovations Sees a Promising Future for Alternative Fuel Trucks

California's Mojave Desert may not become a solar capital after all

The solar energy movement, so promising, has hit a speed bump. Just as solar's cost per kilowatt hour starts to become attractive, from a U.S. residential use standpoint, sure enough another roadblock has appeared.

The problem? Environmental concern about destroyed or altered vistas -- essentially sight pollution -- but also pollution that physically harms the environment.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's, D-California, stated opposition to building in the Mojave Desert has effectively ended 13 big solar energy plants and wind projects there, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Continue reading California's Mojave Desert may not become a solar capital after all

Three buyers vying for solar thermal company Ausra

Sunny skies are here for Ausra, the solar thermal company backed by Kleiner Perkins and Khosla Ventures. The company is looking for a buyer, and it's already talking to three, according to a report by Reuters. Everything is up for grabs, from a majority stake in the company to 100% of it, and the back-and-forth going on is at a "very aggressive level."

The businesses looking to pick up Ausra are said to be global power generation conglomerates but haven't been named yet. So, the clean energy company would be a way for one of them to diversify.

Continue reading Three buyers vying for solar thermal company Ausra

Quanta Services (PWR): Infrastructure power play

"I'm excited about Quanta Services (PWR), a contracting company that specializes in building utility transmission and distribution infrastructure," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The current focus in the U.S. of projects that improve energy conservation, utilize renewable resources, and improve air quality make Quanta an excellent long-term growth opportunity.

"Its customers are in the electric power, gas, telecommunications, and cable television industries. These are stimulus spending customers; i.e., big government organizations and utilities companies.

Continue reading Quanta Services (PWR): Infrastructure power play

New cleantech private equity fund launches

The clean technology private equity momentum continues. In New York, a group of partners has launched NewWorld Capital Group, a private equity firm that will focus on mid-market investments in clean energy infrastructure companies in the United States and selectively in Europe.

The new fund will work closely with Ambienta, a European environmental assets private equity firm in Italy. Both said they plan to collaborate on finding and analyzing investment opportunities -- with NewWorld taking care of the United States and Ambienta addressing Europe.

Continue reading New cleantech private equity fund launches

With solar overheated, here are two indirect ways to play climate change

Investors hoping to ride the climate change bandwagon have had a roller coaster ride over the past two years. Greentech stocks soared with the oil spike in 2007 and 2008, then crashed with stock market and commodity price declines in 2009. Since then, some of the most obvious stock plays have strongly rebounded. Many solar stocks have posted high double-digit gains since rebounding off year-to-date lows in March 2009.

The leading solar panel manufacturer, FirstSolar (NASDAQ: FSLR) has appreciated by 45% from lows of near $100 to a closing price of $154 on October 14. "I wouldn't be stepping into buying these stocks right now," says Pacific Crest senior analyst Mark Bachman, who covers solar stocks. Still, he rates FirstSolar as a market perform and considers it the best solar stock at present on his coverage list.

Continue reading With solar overheated, here are two indirect ways to play climate change

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DJIA-89.2312,801.23
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Last updated: February 12, 2012: 05:41 PM

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