In May of 2008, First Solar was trading at over $311. On Wednesday, First Solar closed at $114. While the specific solar industry dynamics that have driven First Solar down do not define the solar industry -- it has been the rise of low-cost Chinese solar players that have been instrumental in changing First Solar's fortunes -- the question about First Solar's growth prospects may be one solar investors are forced to extrapolate onto the entire solar space, given recent political events in Germany and Italy. By most accounts, Germany is still planning to move ahead with a bigger and faster feed-in tariff reduction than the solar industry expected, and Italy is planning to implement an 8 gigawatt (GW) cap on its solar industry by 2020 that would position it -- one of the the biggest growth markets for solar -- with a less-than-expected growth scenario. Thus, are we in fact headed into a brave new world of solar, or do the political currents in Europe that are seeking to wipe out the lucrative feed-in tariffs -- which have served as a form of solar welfare -- spell doom for photovoltaic solar before it has a chance to evolve into a more mature industry? Burt Chao, an analyst with energy firm Simmons & Company, doesn't view the public solar companies, first and foremost, as growth stocks with a high risk-high profit opportunity -- though many investors and capital markets players have acted as if that is the solar end-game. Chao, rather, thinks it is high time for solar to actually begin acting like a long-term energy play. The solar industry needs to reinvent itself to finally be a part of the renewable energy future. "The fact that all of these companies are still alive and kicking is because of government subsidies," Chao said bluntly, adding, "There has been undisciplined, irrational growth for too long, and a pace of growth less frenzied is better for solar." Loading Comments... 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next › Last »
SHARE:
Featured Photo Galleries Go to Slideshow ArchiveConnect with TheStreet
Business News From The Web Ford Sees Profit of $2.7 Billion in Year It Calls Pivotal New York Times Obama makes jobs US priority BBC AstraZeneca to Cut More Jobs The Wall Street Journal. Toyota set for global car recall BBC Nokia's Net Soars on Higher Margins The Wall Street Journal. Carmakers Pounce on Toyota Owners New York Times Lenders Pursue Mortgage Payoffs Long After Homeowners Default BusinessWeek Online The iPad Threat to PCs BusinessWeek Online Freddie Mac: Delinquencies Increase Sharply in December Calculated Risk Treasury Secretary Geithner defends handling of AIG rescue Washington Post More Headlines Dow Jones S&P 500 NASDAQ 10-Year Note 10125.97 1085.62 2179.03 36.56 Oil * 72.16 DOWN -110.19 DOWN -11.88 DOWN -42.38 UP 0.12 10 Yr 3.66% SPDR Gold 106.49 -1.08% -1.08% -1.91% 0.33% Data delayed 20 minutes More From TheStreet Latest Headlines Top Rated Stocks from TheStreet Ratings if (Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) < 45) { document.write("NEW: Market Data Section"); } else { document.write("Unusual Trading Volume Stocks"); } if (Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) < 45) { document.write("Stock Picks for 2010"); } else { document.write("NEW: Undergraduate Investor Blog"); } Find returns with the Dividend Calendar if (Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) < 45) { document.write("UPDATED: Top-rated ETFs from TheStreet Ratings"); } else { document.write("UPDATED: Top-rated Mutual Funds from TheStreet Ratings"); } Twitter Facebook RSS Mobile App adsonar_placementId=1341369;adsonar_pid=879768;adsonar_ps=-1;adsonar_zw=320;adsonar_zh=280;adsonar_jv='ads.adsonar.com'; Brokerage Partners YAHOO.util.Event.on(window,"load",function(){ setTimeout(function(){ TSCM.util.attachScript('scr_intellitxt','http://thestreet.us.intellitxt.com/intellitxt/front.asp?ipid=10685'); },1200); }); Sponsored Links var ads = [ { link:"http://www.entrepreneur.com/business-opportunities/index.html?cam=thestreet&cid=Homepagetextlink1109", text:"Be Your Own Boss and Start your Own Business Today!", trk:null }, { link:"http://clk.atdmt.com/TNY/go/175928010/direct/01/", text:"Fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class where every seat is an aisle seat.", trk:null }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;220988988;44415082;v", text:"Step-by-Step Guidance to Your Maximum Refund", trk:'http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N5506.1199.0301731801621/B4084309.15;sz=1x1' }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;221522636;43821936;e", text:"FedEx. We understand. You need reliable shipping options.", trk:'http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3340.TheStreet.com/B3877255.3;sz=1x1' }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;221025362;4639705;a?http://www.gold101.com/request_information/", text:"Learn How to Buy Gold. Let Us Teach You Today!Superior Gold Group Gold101.com", trk:null }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;221860731;4639705;h?http://www.taxact.com/09tax.asp?sc=099012950006&p=34", text:"TaxACT®Free Edition: EVERYONE can Prepare & Efile IRS Taxes FREE", trk:null }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v2|3BDF|0|0|%2a|h;220770099;0-0;0;44407284;31-1|1;34794952|34812830|1;;%3fhttps://us.etrade.com/e/t/jumppage/viewjumppage?PageName=power_et_for_active_traders_mvt&", text:"100 Free Trades. Open today at E*TRADE Securities.", trk:'http://ad.doubleclick.net/imp;v1;f;220770099;0-0;0;44407284;1|1;34794952|34812830|1;;cs=j%3fhttp://ad.doubleclick.net/dot.gif?' }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;221388703;44865428;o?http://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/3/hsbcpremier/prom/jan-10/invest?code=WES0013470&WT.mc_id=HBUS_WES0013470", text:"Wealth Management for HSBC Premier - Build & preserve your wealth", trk:null }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;221194079;44703744;h?http://www.optionsxpress.com/promos/virtualtrade.aspx?cmpid=tlSTRcopyA", text:"Practice No Risk Trading at optionsXpress", trk:'http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4417.no_url_specifiedOX2537/B4172134.3;sz=1x1' }, { link:"http://www.wisdomtree.com/bannerads/currency/ads/phaseii.html?utm_source=TheStreet&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=curphaseiitextST&utm_campaign=currency_phaseii", text:"WisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund", trk:null }, { link:"http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;220815082;44534915;c?http://www.lvcva.com/campaigns?src=4130", text:"Las Vegas is serious about business. VegasMeansBusiness.com.", trk:'http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N5664.272508.7284099241621/B4167122.6;sz=1x1' } ]; function __trackingpixel(url){ var ord = Math.floor(Math.random() * 100000000000); if(typeof url != "undefined") { if(url.indexOf('[timestamp]')!= -1) { url = url.replace("[timestamp]", ord); } return ""; } } var counter=-1; var limit = 3; function __write_textlink() { counter++; if(counter >= limit)return; var index = Math.floor(Math.random() * ads.length * 10 % ads.length); var it = ads.splice(index,1); var o = it[0]; document.write(''); document.write( o.text ); document.write( '' ); if(o.trk != null){ document.write(__trackingpixel(o.trk)); } if(ads.length > 0) { __write_textlink(); } else { } }; __write_textlink(); TheStreet Premium Services All Services Action Alerts PLUS Get free access to Cramer's portfolio picks at Action Alerts PLUS - Try it now Free RealMoney Jim Cramer's RealMoney team of 70+ Wall Street pros will give you wealth-building strategies - Get started Free RealMoney Silver Doug Kass + our 5 Premium Services - all in one place - Get a free 14-day trial today Stocks Under $10 David Peltier is ready to help you find affordable Stocks Under $10 which could lead to a big-money payoff - Get access to his portfolio FREE ETF Action Don Dion's brand new service can help investors at all levels build profitable ETF portfolios - Learn more document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js' %3E%3C/script%3E")); var beaconurl=""; if(TSC.util.isDefined(document)){ beaconurl=document.URL; try{ if (top.location != self.location){ beaconurl=document.referrer; } }catch(e){} } COMSCORE.beacon({ c1:2, c2:"6036014", c3:"", c4:beaconurl, c5:"", c6:"", c15:"" }); var pvar = { cid: "us-thestreet", content: "tsc", server: "secure-us" }; var trac = nol_t(pvar); trac.record().post(); View Directory Jim Cramer Doug Kass Market Movers Breakout Stocks Options Alerts Stock Under $10 RealMoney Don Dion's ETF Action Hot Topics: How to Invest in Gold - Fast Money - Motorola Droid - Cramer's Picks - Apple Tablet | Hot Blogs: Undergraduate Investor - Wall Street Social Resources About Us Advertise Corrections Customer Service Employment Investor Relations Make a Suggestion Privacy Policy Readers' Feedback Sitemap Video Sitemap Subscribe Terms of Use Financial News Archive Topic Archive TheStreet Premium Services Compare All Services Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS: Now any level of investor can trade right alongside a Wall Street pro — and enjoy 24/7 access to his portfolio! Learn More Login NEW! Don Dion's ETF Action: A concise two-step strategy for learning and trading in this increasingly lucrative area of investing. For all levels of investors! Learn More Login RealMoney: Jim Cramer's team of 70+ investment pros offer a daily wealth of fast-breaking market news... analyses... red-hot opportunities...and wealth-building strategies. Learn More Login RealMoney Silver: The genius of Doug Kass + 5 Premium Services = an unrivaled group of expert fundamental analysts, technical analysts, and Wall Street observers. Learn More Login Breakout Stocks: Bryan Ashenberg combines sophisticated screening software with eagle-eye analysis to find small and mid-caps ready to break out! Learn More Login Market Movers Deep in the Money Calls Stocks Under $10 Top Gun Trader TheStreet Ratings Daily Swing Trade Top Stocks ETF Shark Alerts Options Alerts try { function DM_onSegsAvailable(segs, cust_id) { for(var i=0;iQuotes delayed at least 20 minutes for all exchanges. Market Data provided by Interactive Data. Company fundamental data provided by Morningstar. Earnings and ratings provided by Zacks. Mutual fund data provided by Valueline. ETF data provided by Lipper. Terms & Conditions. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions.
TheStreet.com Ratings updates stock ratings daily. However, if no rating change occurs, the data on this page does not update. The data does update after 90 days if no rating change occurs within that time period.
IDC calculates the Market Cap for the basic symbol to include common shares only. Year-to-date mutual fund returns are calculated on a monthly basis by Value Line and posted mid-month.
*Oil Data in Market Overview is Brent Crude Pricing
'); TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.sz = "728x90"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.resetTargets(); TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.calltype = "adj"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.includeDcopt = true; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.additionalTargeting = ";;storytype=marketfeatures;kval=marketfeatures"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.writeTag(); TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.sz = "233x224"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.resetTargets(); TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.calltype = "adj"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.adtype = "cau"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.additionalTargeting = ";;storytype=marketfeatures;kval=marketfeatures"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.writeTag(); TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.sz = "336x280,336x850,300x250,468x648"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.resetTargets(); TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.calltype = "adj"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.additionalTargeting = ";;storytype=marketfeatures;kval=marketfeatures;;storytype=marketfeatures;kval=marketfeatures"; TSCM.ads.AdPlacerx.writeTag(); var _isIE = false; /** * absolutley positions an ad using an existing container as an 'anchor' * can optionally update the height of the placeholder (cfg.flexibleHeight) */ TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder = function(cfg) { var Yud = YAHOO.util.Dom; var ad = Yud.get(cfg.ad); var placeholder = Yud.get(cfg.placeholder); if(!ad || !placeholder) {return}; if(cfg.flexibleHeight === true) { //option to update height of placeholder based on ad //thanks to IE, we can't do this the simple way with getStyle var height; if (_isIE) { //IE6, IE7 var adRegion = Yud.getRegion(ad); height = adRegion.bottom - adRegion.top; } else { height = Yud.getStyle(ad, 'height'); } //set default height for caus if height detect fails if ((height === '0px' || height == '0' || height < '220' ||height === 'undefined') && placeholder.id === 'cauContainer') { height = '220px'; } Yud.setStyle(placeholder, 'height', height); } Yud.setXY(ad, Yud.getXY(placeholder)); //position the ad over the placeholder }; /** * function wrapper that places all DART ads using TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder * if positionToPlaceholder can't find the elements specified, it just returns and is ready for the next call */ TSCM.ads.placeLazyLoadingAds = function() { // DART 1 (banner) TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder({ ad: 'ad728x90', placeholder: 'bannerContainer', flexibleHeight: false }); // DART 1 (expander) TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder({ ad: 'expanderAd', placeholder: 'expanderAdContainer', flexibleHeight: false }); //DART 2 TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder({ ad: 'customUnit', placeholder: 'cauContainer', flexibleHeight: true }); //DART 3 TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder({ ad: 'boxAd', placeholder: 'boxAdContainer', flexibleHeight: true }); //DART 4 TSCM.ads.positionToPlaceholder({ ad: 'secondBoxAd', placeholder: 'secondBoxAdContainer', flexibleHeight: false }); }; TSCM.ads.placeLazyLoadingAds() window.onresize = function() { setTimeout(function() { TSCM.ads.placeLazyLoadingAds(); }, 1000); }; BF_BB_DATA = null; (function( ){ document.write(''); var sid="76IOF7"; var c=""; var b=""; BF_BB_SCRIPT=document.createElement('script'); BF_BB_SCRIPT.type="text/javascript"; BF_BB_SRC="http://buzzbox.buzzfeed.com/wd/BuzzBox?sid=" + sid + c + b + '&it=1&cb=' + (new Date()).getTime(); setTimeout(function() { document.getElementById('BF_BUZZBOX').appendChild(BF_BB_SCRIPT); BF_BB_SCRIPT.src=BF_BB_SRC; },1); })();After the Bell
Before the Bell
Booyah! Newsletter
ETF Weekly
Midday Bell
TSC Top Ten Stories Newsletter
Winners & Losers
TheStreet Mobile Edition
Take Our Tour
Connect with TheStreet
Read Full Article »