In an article over at Kiplingers, Laura Cohn discusses some renewable energy plays that could begin running again due to Obama’s clean energy policies, which include deriving 10% of electricity from renewable energy sources within just the next few years.
– Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF.PK)
The Danish company trades on the pink sheets and is the world’s leading supplier of wind turbines with a market share of 23%
– First Solar (FSLR)… Read the rest
According to Barrons, Wedge Partners was out with a research note this morning saying that the China based solar companies are slowing production in anticipation of falling demand and prices.
Some highlights:
– Suntech (STP) is laying off about 10% of its employees, idled half its production lines and shelved plans to expand to 1.2GW by the end of the year
– JA Solar (JASO) is seeing customer orders down drastically and half of its … Read the rest
According to StreetInsider.com, Deutsche Bank is downgrading a few solars this morning from BUY to HOLD
– Canadian Solar (CSIQ) cut price target from $36 to $12
– Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) cut price target from $75 to $41
– First Solar (FSLR) cut price target from $200 to $160
– SunPower (SPWRA) cut price target $62 to $45
The first said, “As we assess 2009 we reiterate our view of (1) deteriorating fundamentals … Read the rest
According to StreetInsider.com, Hapoalim Securities is going against the grain of yesterday’s 5 Buy ratings on First Solar (FSLR) and issuing a Sell rating and $90 price target.
The firm indicates that FSLR is a high quality firm with less implied risk but that a better entry point may emerge once the dust settles. Their concerns include a weakening Euro, Germany risk, lower selling prices, Malaysia start up costs as well as headwinds in … Read the rest
Following last nights earnings report and news of a big supply deal, the analysts are out with their ratings this morning:
According to StreetInsider.com..
Gabelli Issues Buy rating and raised 08 estimates. “We are increasing our ’08, ’09, and ’10 EPS estimates to $4.00, $8.00, and $11.25, respectively, from $3.60, $6.50, and $10.15. 3Q EPS of $1.20 were well ahead of our expectation of $1.05, and consensus of $1.02. On the conference … Read the rest
First Solar (FSLR) is surging after hours following its earnings report and news of new supply deals totaling 525 MW with Sorgenia Solar, a developer of large scale solar power plants in Italy as well as a few of First Solar’s existing customers including EDF Energies Nouvelles, Ecostream, Juwi and Phoenix Solar. The deals allow for new sales revenue of approximately 800 million from 2009 – 2013
“With strong market growth in Italy we are … Read the rest
It’s a big day for First Solar (FSLR). This morning the company announced a 5 year supply deal with Solar City Corp, which calls for FSLR to supply 100MW of its advanced thin film solar modules beginning in early 2009. The deal also includes $25 million in financing to Solar City and marks First Solar’s entrance into the US market.
Solar City is one of the nation’s leading solar installers with operations in California, Arizona … Read the rest
Some solar analyst ratings are out this morning with Friedman Billings upgrading both First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWRA) to Market Perform and price targets of $210 and $65, respectively.
JA Solar (JASO) wasn’t so fortunate, getting a downgrade from Canaccord Adams from Buy to Hold. The stock is off nearly 18% today with heavy volume, erasing yesterday’s move an then some.
Let’s not forget though that it was Canaccord Adams that initiated coverage with … Read the rest
Despite the solar stocks being pummeled into oblivion for the entire year and accelerating those losses in the past few weeks, analysts continue with the negative outlooks and sell ratings. Let’s keep in mind though that analysts are almost always late to the party and that may be the case in this situation as well. With solar stocks being the biggest beneficiary of the extension of tax credits in the recent bailout bill and the … Read the rest
Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Molnar has had a change of heart on his rosy outlook for both Sunpower (SPWR) and First Solar (FSLR), slapping both with Sell ratings this morning, down from previous Buy ratings due to oversupply issues and a lack of European subsidies.
“The risk of oversupply in the solar market will soon become a reality as considerably less generous demand subsidies take hold just as a wave of supply and tight … Read the rest