OUTLOOK The Alternative Energy industry is going through a recovery after absorbing the global recession and the cascading fall in global crude oil prices. Earlier this year, quite a few alternative energy companies were in the trough. Though these companies have recovered from their lows, their valuations are still significantly lower than their 52-week highs. The growth of alternative energy companies is closely tied to the fortunes of the economy. In its latest release, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that total U.S. electricity consumption will decline by 3.3% in 2009 before growing by 1.3% in 2010 as the improving economy coaxes a gradual recovery in electricity sales. In fiscal 2008, annual U.S. photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity grew by 63% year-over-year, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 792MW. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) -- the U.S. trade association representing close to 500 companies ...

SunPower Corporation (SPWRA) has reported third quarter earnings of 28 cents per share, a penny above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents. However, the company trimmed its outlook for fiscal 2009. The company revised its revenue guidance for fiscal 2009 to be in the range $1.43 - $1.5 billion from the earlier guidance range of $1.35 - $1.7 billion. Likewise, the company revised its earnings of share (EPS) guidance range for fiscal 2009 to 50 - 60 cents from earlier guidance range of 45 - 90 cents. SunPower’s top line rose to $466 million in the quarter from $298 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $378 million in the third quarter of 2008. In the reported quarter, its Components and Systems segments generated 64% and 36% of revenues, respectively. In the reported quarter, SunPower reported GAAP gross margin of 19.1% and operating income ...

ReneSola Ltd. (SOL) entered into a share purchase agreement with Dynamic Green Energy Limited to acquire 100% of its shares in consideration of 26.8 million ordinary shares and issue $10 million in convertible promissory notes. The transaction has already been approved by the boards of both companies. Dynamic Green manufactures solar products ranging from ingots to photovoltaic modules, through its wholly-owned unit Jiawei Solarchina Co. Ltd. and other Chinese operating units. The company also provides original equipment manufacturing services for leading solar manufacturers like Evergreen Solar (ESLR) and SunPower Corporation (SPWRA). ReneSola's acquisition of Dynamic Green is in line with the company’s focus on becoming a fully integrated solar company and will significantly increase its exposure in original equipment manufacturing capabilities. ReneSola will also issue 14.4 million American Depositary Shares, each representing two shares of the company. The company intends to grant the ...

On Jul 29, China-based ReneSola Ltd. (SOL) celebrated the official opening and successful output of the first batch of polysilicon from its new facility in Sichuan Province, China.

The 3,000MT polysilicon facility successfully commenced trial production from the first phase in mid-July. The second and equal phase is expected to reach mechanical completion in September 2009.

ReneSola is engaged in the manufacture and sale of solar wafers and related products. Initially, the company also used to sell solar modules. However, in April 2006, the company discontinued the sale of solar modules and concentrated on solar wafers instead. Even in solar wafers, the company moved from its initial focus on manufacturing monocrystalline to producing multicrystalline wafers in the third quarter of 2007.

ReneSola is expected to release its earnings on Aug 17, before markets open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for a loss of 6 cents per share.

The solar space has been

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Flying home from our conference in Victoria, and looking out the window of the airplane taking me home, I begin to understand the vast opportunity we have by looking over the rooftops of homes and business parks alike.

The thought that jumps to mind is that solar power isn’t going to be “alternative energy” for much longer.

In spite of the current economic malaise and market downturn we’re navigating through, solar energy is one of the few bright spots (pun intended) in the alternative energy space.

The reason?

Continued advances in solar panel technology are resulting in cheaper, more efficient panels. Government subsidies at both the state and federal levels are making the installation of residential solar more compelling than ever.

Here’s why solar is looking brighter by the day, and a major retailer that could change everything.

The Solar Energy Industry’s Solar Cell Production

For the past few years, the solar power industry has

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Chinese solar-cell manufacturer JA Solar Holdings Company Ltd. (JASO) bagged two three-year term loans of 620 million RMB ($90.9 million) from the Export-Import Bank of China at below the benchmark interest rate set by the People's Bank of China.

The infusion will strengthen the balance sheet apart from lowering the overall cost of capital of cash-rich JA Solar. The company at the end of the first quarter of 2009 had cash and cash equivalents of $249.2 million, and total credit facility worth $213.7 million as of Mar 31, out of which $76.1 million has been availed.

JA Solar is playing it right and in sharp contrast to its solar peers due to dried funding for solar project. However improved results in the second quarter from solar players such as SunPower Corporation (SPWRA) is shedding hopes of a solar recovery. With a full wallet, the company will find it easier

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Solar Energy: A Bright Spot In The Alternative Energy Sector

by David Fessler, Advisory Panelist

Flying home from our conference in Victoria, and looking out the window of the airplane taking me home, I begin to understand the vast opportunity we have by looking over the rooftops of homes and business parks alike.

The thought that jumps to mind is that solar power isn’t going to be “alternative energy” for much longer.

In spite of the current economic malaise and market downturn we’re navigating through, solar energy is one of the few bright spots (pun intended) in the alternative energy space.

The reason?

Continued advances in solar panel technology are resulting in cheaper, more efficient panels. Government subsidies at both the state and federal levels are making the installation of residential solar more compelling than ever.

Here’s why solar is looking brighter by the day, and a major retailer that could change

...

SunPower Corporation (SPWRA) showed signs of revival in the second quarter results. Sales of $298 million beat sequential number by about 39% and crossed the consensus expectation by $34 million.  EPS of $0.24 during the quarter almost doubled the Street apprehension of $0.14. SunPower also improved the upper end of its revenue outlook for 2009 to $1.35 billion – $1.7 billion from $1.3 billion – $1.7 billion. We expect the company to cross the $1.3 billion mark with EPS of $0.68 in fiscal 2009.  Revenues got a 75% lift sequentially in the Components segment along with stable Systems segment. The Components segment got a strong headwind from the Residential and Light Commercial customer segments, especially from North America and Germany.  SunPower more than doubled its cash hoard through the issue of equity and convertible debt in May 2009. Sequential cash balance rose to nearly $456.8 ...

POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC - July 24 , 2009 - www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com, a leading global investor and industry portal for the renewable energy sector within Investorideas.com presents a sector close-up pf publicly traded solar stocks for July 24, 2009. Chinese solar stocks China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN) and SunPower Corporation (NasdaqGS: SPWRA), SunPower Corporation (NasdaqGS: SPWRB) had gains of over 14%-27% for investors.

SAN JOSE, CA - April 27 -- SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA; SPWRB), a Silicon Valley-based provider of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems, today announced that it intends to offer 9,000,000 shares of class A common stock and $175 million aggregate principal amount of senior convertible debentures due 2014, in underwritten registered public offerings.