Investing in the Solar Industry



The hope of solar power. - Fernando Tomás

Solar, like many alternative energy sources, may define the future. But is it a good financial investment?

The future of the solar industry is very exciting, with many companies developing increasingly efficient ways to harness energy from the sun. As the price of crude oil and other hydrocarbons increase, it is not hard to envision a future where it is cheaper to power a community with solar power than with coal or gas. Furthermore, the recent accident at Fukushima has reminded the world that nuclear power can never be rendered completely safe.

Advantages
Consequently, significant money has already been made in the fledgling solar Industry as people grow increasingly interested in buying solar technology. New Hampshire-based GT Solar International Inc., which is a major provider of polysilicon production technology, saw their earnings per share (EPS) increase 366 percent from .03 in 2009's first quarter to .11 in 2011's first quarter, with revenue increasing 237 percent from 57.1 to 135.2. In China, the Jiangsu-based Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd, which produces solar panels, saw its EPS increase 1100 percent in that same period, from .01 to .11, down from an all-time high of .25 in 2009's forth quarter. (...)

Jul 8, 2011Bennett Murray

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