Solar Stocks Report: Jan. 19-23, 2009

At least it was a grand inauguration!

The third full week of January continued the worst beginning of a new year on Wall Street in history. The Dow was down for the week by 203.66 points or -2.46%: NASDAQ down 104.37, -3.41%. This 20 solar stock index averaged just over 10% down since Monday's close.

These results may fly in the face of my previous post below that suggests buying solar stocks. Well, that's still my position for three reasons.

First, the entire economy is down and some investors simply need their money for other things. Secondly, it's the middle of winter and most people aren't thinking about solar power when the days are short and the weather's cloudy and cold. How often do we think about the price of fuel oil or getting a space heater in August? Take it from one who's sold solar power systems year-round since 2002. Spring, summer and early fall comprise the best solar selling season whether for stocks or for solar installations. (If you're still leery, wait until March to buy when sales pick up.) Finally, I see the energy paradigm shift to renewables accelerating this year with the Obama administration. If the president pushes a national renewable energy standard and/or institutes a carbon cap-and-trade program, the switch to renewables becomes a mandate. Panel prices are also coming down because more high-grade silicon cells are being produced than ever before. Concentrating photovoltaics, just now taking off, lower the cost per watt, reduce space requirements and require less man hours to install because fewer (high-efficiency) modules are necessary.

Go ahead. Try to think of any emerging technology that has more worldwide growth potential than solar and wind power? Then let me know.

Week of: Jan 19-23, 2009 Symbol/Name Monday Friday +/- % Change

DJIA/Dow Jones 8281.22 8077.56 -203.66 -2.46%

NASDAQ 1529.33 1477.29 -104.37 -3.41%

Akeena Solar AKNS 2.20 2.08 -.12 -5.46%

Amtel Systems ASYS 4.20 4.22 +.02 +.004%

Applied Mat. AMAT 10.18 9.71 -.46 -4.62%

Canadian Solar CSIQ 5.29 5.30 +.01 +.002%

ECD (UniSolar) ENER 26.02 24.10 -1.92 -7.38%

Evergreen Solr ESLR 2.88 2.19 -.59 -23.96%

First Solar FSLR 145.42 137.51 -7.91 -5.44%

GT Solar Int. SOLR 4.46 3.49 -.97 -21.75%

JA Solar JASO 3.10 2.60 -.50 -16.13%

Kyocera KYO 69.10 64.96 -4.14 -6%

LDK Solar LDK 13.93 11.50 -2.43 -17.45%

MEMC Elect. WFR 14.76 13.64 -1.12 -7.59%

Renesola SOL 3.81 3.33 -.48 -12.6%

Satcon SATC 1.51 1.40 -.11 -7.29%

SolarFun SOLF 5.20 4.82 -.38 -7.31%

SunPower SPWRA 33.46 30.26 -3.20 -9.57%

SunTech STP 10.81 8.90 -1.91 -17.67%

Trina Solar TSL 8.55 7.79 -.76 -8.89%

WorldWater WWAT.OB .40 .365 -.335 -8.75%

Yingli YGE 5.69 4.93 -.76 -13.36%

Average % change for all solar stocks for week: -10.06

NOTE: All above stocks have market capitization of $100M+ except Akeena Solar, Amtel Systems and WorldWater & Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval of any stock listed. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Thanks to MarketBrowser, the free stock watcher, available free at www.marketbrowser.com