sounds good to me, lol

I'm just afraid to buy in without checking to see whether there was some terrible news about the company that I missed in the nine months or so I've been in my WSS blackout :)

 who actually thinks that "solar" is the way to go? they've been working on solar energy for so long but they can't create enough power to do anything... maybe invest in different energy stocks??

From what I've read (and I'm no expert), the trick is to think of it as complementary power for peak (daytime) periods, at least for the foreseeable future.

There was a great bit on PBS' e2 a while back about a company that installs panels for businesses (think supermarkets and box stores) on something like a 30-year lease and lets them lock in their power costs. It's not necessarily meeting all their power needs, or really saving them money, but it lets them get some power from renewable sources at reasonable costs -- a balance between the bottom line and the right thing. (It's been a year or more since I watched the piece, so I know I'm probably forgetting all kinds of details, but I think it's still viewable through the program's Web site..)

FSLR is definitely a good pick for the day trader.  Southwestern Energy (SWN) is more of a pick for the long-term trader.  Southwestern Energy has great financials and looks healthy for the long-term.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with SWN, but will look at it.

I bought into STP yesterday at $7something, and it's up over $8. I have a strong desire to sell it and lock in the profit, but I bought it in my game portfolio and I'm trying hard to stick with investing rather than trading there.

Tina, One area you might look into is the companies with the research and development for the batteries to store that energy. This area appears to have the greatest demand for improvement. Since this is an intermittent source of power it becomes vital to store that energy for the appropiate time of need.

The other field that is hungry for development is the transportation of that power.This is one of the areas that Obama has addressed for the development in infrastructure of the electrical grid to transport from alternative energy sources.

  I wrote this the other day on the trading forum about ASTI.

http://www.wallstreetsurvivor.com/CS/forums/t/22261.aspx

SHOTCALLER:

Tina, One area you might look into is the companies with the research and development for the batteries to store that energy. This area appears to have the greatest demand for improvement. Since this is an intermittent source of power it becomes vital to store that energy for the appropiate time of need.

The other field that is hungry for development is the transportation of that power.This is one of the areas that Obama has addressed for the development in infrastructure of the electrical grid to transport from alternative energy sources.

Thanks, SC; good points both. I've heard some folks talking about abandoning the need for batteries/power storage and focusing on using solar as prime-time energy to help meet peak demands. The notion of using solar for supplemental power is interesting, but to use it *solely* for supplemental power seems short-sighted, and both the battery-makers and the grid designers/builders will have to play huge roles.

 I like the way First Solar tastes (FSLR)

Picked up Suntech Power (STP) at $9 with a P/E of 8 to hold long, and I shorted First Solar (FSLR) at $147 with a P/E of 42 because it's way too expensive. Making my profits both ways. I expect the solar companies will pick up again when the price of oil goes up over $70 and we feel it at the pump.

We all have come to expect declines in the stock market. It was my opinion that the solar industry would also decline with pace. The global economic recession has accelerated this fall out in this macro sector faster than most others. Any new technoligy industry with excessive demand and expanded growth will experience a natural fall out. It has not been that long since the computer companies went thru the same nutrition. In the business world it is the way to eliminate the weak and make way for the strenghtning of the survivors.

Keep in mind for every solar energy related company that is public 9 are private in Hong Kong and China. This sector is declining rapidly. Prices have the raw materials have dropped to nearly one quarter going into 09.

The stocks values have dropped to all time historical lows. The once popular etf TAN has a 71% reduction in value.

All this to say I remain bullish on the sector but take a magnifing glass to your picks. The fall out will continue to leave the weak in it's path. It could be another 18-24 months untill the sector shakeout settles.

More important than ever... pick wisely.

 try ESLR then go to FSLR b4 you try anything else usually good picks for the money

Time to make a move with LDK, several solars went up today. LDK is currently in the $13s with major main resistance at $16.

Obama speech writer in Hawaii uses the word ''solar'' seven times. Wondered why sector moved so today.

Nothing like a tell to see what is on their mind.

alex42ste:

Picked up Suntech Power (STP) at $9 with a P/E of 8 to hold long, and I shorted First Solar (FSLR) at $147 with a P/E of 42 because it's way too expensive. Making my profits both ways. I expect the solar companies will pick up again when the price of oil goes up over $70 and we feel it at the pump.

 I found STP at 10.55, and noticed its P/E at 8 TTM I figured it was obviously oversold and the short sellers would be locking in profits and I would catch it on the upswing.  I've had a couple of 14% days with STP and locked in about 10k$ in profits.  Def. bullish with support.  Just my .02

Thank you for the information.

voidtraveler:

alex42ste:

Picked up Suntech Power (STP) at $9 with a P/E of 8 to hold long, and I shorted First Solar (FSLR) at $147 with a P/E of 42 because it's way too expensive. Making my profits both ways. I expect the solar companies will pick up again when the price of oil goes up over $70 and we feel it at the pump.

 I found STP at 10.55, and noticed its P/E at 8 TTM I figured it was obviously oversold and the short sellers would be locking in profits and I would catch it on the upswing.  I've had a couple of 14% days with STP and locked in about 10k$ in profits.  Def. bullish with support.  Just my .02

STP has been doing very nicely for me. I'm currently up 43% since I bought it, and I intend to sell half my shares at $18 to recover my original cost basis.