Energy and Industrials Question
What are some good alternative energy stocks?
I'm just starting to get into this sector and I'd appreciate any ideas you might have.
Thanks.
Answers
395 points
WayneMulligan answered 2 months ago …
I've been getting into this sector more and more lately - check out my most recent blog post on an Alternative Energy stock I'm really into right now...
http://blog.tickerhound.com/?p=71
Best,
Wayne
108 points
Shor answered 2 months ago …
MEMC Electric (WFR) makes the silicon wafers essential for solar panels. The company has been performing quite well and has an impressive backlog. Whereas many of the pure solar plays are somewhat extended, WFR seems to me to be more realistically priced and certainly less volatile.
I saw that Zacks agrees with Wayne's choice as they have ranked Trina #1 (Buy).
2106 points
Oldman answered 2 months ago …
New ETF from Claymore : TAN (Solar)
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503 points
Dragonsbane answered 2 months ago …
I like Timminco (TIM on the TSX). Mind you there is some serious speculation that their procedure for producing solar grade silicon is bogus (thank you Barrons) right now and a lot of short sellers are involved. So very high risk/high reward situation.
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jester112358 answered 2 months ago …
Solar energy produces direct current. Our grid is alternating current (as as most electrical appliances. The efficiency of solar panels decreases with time as they degrade in the sunlight, increasing cost. The most viable approach to use sunlight is to use mirrors to concentrate the sunlight and then boil water creating stream to run turbine (producing A.C power). If you don't understand the scientific limitation of a technology, don't invest it in. Solar (and wind) is intermittent, so it can never compete with a constant power source such a nuclear, hydroelectric power. One still needs to build just as much peak power into the grid as is the interruptible source wasn't there. Only in countries lacking grids in rural areas does photovoltaic power makes some sense-but you still need to chop it and convert to to A.C. which cost capital beyond the cost of the panel. In short, the cost of solar is much higher when the total power conversion and transmission costs are correctly evaluated. There are safer investment opportunities in oil, coal and natural gas-proven technologies.
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