Jan 25-29: Dow, NASDAQ Down Again; Solar Up a Sliver

Market still in funk...

The Dow Jones Industrial Averages and the NASDAQ continued their slide this week but not nearly as bad as last week's bloodbath. Solar stocks in the 20SSI fared a little better inching the index up nearly three points. February could bring better news on results of Ford's $2.7 billion profit for 2009. Or it could drop below 10,000, a rather dreary possibility.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Jan 25-29, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	10172.98	10067.33	-105.65	-1.049%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2205.29	2147.35	-57.94	-2.698	1628.03	1293.85
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.24	1.14	-.10	-8.771	2.28	.61
Amtel Systems ASYS	10.97	10.42	-.55	-5.278	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.63	12.18	-.45	-2.463	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	21.66	21.13	-.53	-2.508	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	10.12	9.12	-1.00/TD>	-10.96	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.1310	.13	.0010	-.7692	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.44	1.44	NC	NC	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	112.39	113.30	+.91	+.8096	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	6.10	5.75	-.35	-6.086	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	4.57	4.30	-.27	-6.279	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	87.06	92.72	+5.66	+6.501	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	6.52	6.23	-.29	-4.654	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	13.19	12.57	-.62	-4.932	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	4.61	4.40	-.21	-4.772	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	2.36	2.30	-.06	-2.608	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	7.084	7.21	+.126	+1.778	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	21.09	20.39	-.70	-3.433	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	13.02	13.51	+.49	+3.763	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	20.94	21.93	+.99	+4.727	10.09	7.23
Yingli YGE	12.63	12.52	-.11	-.8785	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 369.76	Current 372.69	Change +2.93/+.7924%	Avg Stock +.0949%	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09** 266.01

* The starting date of the 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI).
** The Concensus "new" bull market began on Monday, March 9, 2009.
NOTE: All above stocks have market capitalization of $100M+ except Akeena Solar, Amtel Systems
and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval

Dec 14-18: Tech, Solar Stocks Kick Some Butt

Solar index up third straight week

The DJIA slipped almost 143 points (-1.4%) since last Friday although today's finish was stronger than expected at 10328.89. Tech stocks did well however, and the NASDAQ gained 21 points--nearly 1%--to end at 2211.69 with Intel, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard helping lead the way. Best of all, the 20 Solar Stock Index gained 14.55 points, a 3.43% gain to end at 438.99.

Boeing took a major hit when Ryanair cancelled an order for 200 new 737-800 jets and the stock became the Dow's biggest loser for the week. Oracle and Research in Motion, maker of the Blackberry, reported better-than-expected earnings reports and were two more reasons why tech stocks purred since last Friday.

Amtech Systems was solar's biggest winner on news the company closed $10 million in sales orders and a larger order from one existing customer. JA Solar was another big gainer, reporting on better Q4 earnings than earlier guidance suggested. Thirteen in the 20SSI gained this week with the average stock up over 8.13% overall.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Dec 14-18, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	10471.50	10328.89	-142.61	-1.380%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2190.31	2211.69	+21.38	+.9761	1628.03	1293.85
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.38	1.24	-.14	-11.29	2.28	.61
Amtel Systems ASYS	7.12	10.27	+3.15	+44.24	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	13.38	13.62	+.24	+1.793	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	22.51	26.78	+4.27	+18.97	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	10.99	10.72	-.27	-2.518	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.08	.14	+.06	+75	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.55	1.52	-.03	-1.973	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	133.10	135.67	+2.57	+1.930	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	5.62	5.69	+.07	+.1245	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	4.57	5.73	+1.16	+25.38	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	88.32	87.00	-1.32	-9.563	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	8.56	6.85	-1.71	-24.96	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.55	12.51	-.04	-.3197	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	4.16	4.82	+.66	+15.86	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	2.25	2.49	+.24	+10.66	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	6.84	7.09	+.25	+3.655	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	22.76	24.41	+1.65	+7.249	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	16.97	16.98	+.01	+.0589	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	47.80	51.64	+3.84	+8.033	10.09	7.23
Yingli YGE	15.31	15.06	-.25	-1.660	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 424.44	Current 438.99	Change +14.55/+3.43%	Avg Stock +8.13%	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09** 266.01

* The starting date of the 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI).
** The Concensus "new" bull market began on Monday, March 9, 2009.
NOTE: All above stocks have market capitalization of $100M+ except Akeena Solar, Amtel Systems
and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval
of any stock listed. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Nov 2-6: Dow, NASDAQ Up Over 3%; Solar Almost 2%

Solar holding its own...

MarketWatch reported today says a surge in GE stocks helped the DJIA go above 10,000 again after a two-week losing period. Week's end closing showed the Dow up 3.2% and NASDAQ up 3.3% while solar stocks in the 20SSI gained about 1.9% since last Friday.

As expected, declines for the Dow were lead by financials and conventional energy firms, which were effected by a $2 per barrel drop in oil. MarketPlace said about half of the Dow's gain could be attributed to a 6.2% spike in GE after analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein and Oppenheimer upgraded the conglomerate to a "outperform" rating.

Market players on Wall Street are disgruntled with unemployment figures but all-out panic has been tempered simply by 22 consecutive months of job losses. Bulls are pointing to month-to-month slowing of job cuts as a sign a full-blown turnaround is on its way, mayber as early as next quarter.

Meanwhile, both residential and commercial solar activity seems to be percolating nicely in California. The Ca Center for Sustainable Energy, which administers the CA Solar Initiative rebate for SDG&E customers, received 200 rebate reservations for residential installations in September after a flat August but a 350 reservation request month in July. Of course, high air-conditioning usage during these months resulting in fat electric bills can account for the solar backlash. But the surprising number of rebate reservations comes even as the rebate has triggered down to $1.55 per installed AC watt in July and now stands at $1.10 in the SDG&E service area.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Nov 2-6, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	9712.73	10023.42	+310.69	+3.198%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2045.11	2112.44	+67.33	+3.292	1628.03	1293.85
Akeena Solar AKNS	.94	.93	-.01	-1.075	2.28	.61
Amtel Systems ASYS	5.40	5.10	-.30	-5.882	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.20	12.40	+.20	+1.639	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	14.58	16.78	+2.20	+15.09	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	10.77	11.49	+.72	+6.685	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.1450	.1400	-.0050	-3.571	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.45	1.42	-.03	-1.398	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	121.93	117.93	-4.00	-3.391	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	5.25	5.24	-.01	-.1908	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	3.83	3.71	-.12	-3.234	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	83.47	83.95	-.48	-.5750	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	6.78	5.74	-1.04	-18.12	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.41	12.66	+.25	+2.014	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	3.68	3.95	+.27	-7.336	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	2.04	2.00	-.04	-2.000	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	4.75	5.12	+.37	+7.789	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	24.81	26.60	+1.79	+7.214	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	12.67	12.70	+.03	+.2367	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	32.52	38.18	+5.66	+17.40	10.09	7.23
Yingli YGE	11.58	12.14	+.56	+4.835	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 371.21	Current 378.18	Change +6.97/+1.87%	Avg Stock +.8%	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09** 266.01

* The starting date of the 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI).
** The Concensus "new" bull market began on Monday, March 9, 2009.
NOTE: All above stocks have market capitization of $100M+ except Akeena Solar, Amtel Systems
and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval
of any stock listed. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Oct 12-16: Dow, NASDAQ Slightly Up; Solar Dips

Dow breaks 10,000 but finishes below

The Dow Jones Industrial Average neared 10,100 yesterday but finished at 9995.91 today. NASDAQ was up less than a percent for the week. Six of the 20SSI stocks were off this week.

That's it for now. Have out-of-town company.





20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Oct 12-16, 2009

Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	9864.94	9995.91	+130.97	+1.327%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2139.28	2156.80	+17.52	+.8189	1628.03	1293.85
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.16	1.13	_.03	-2.654	2.28	.61
Amtel Systems ASYS	5.28	5.69	+.41	+7.765	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.68	13.38	+.16	+1.210	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	17.76	16.31	-1.45	-8.890	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	10.89	12.00	+1.11	+10.19	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.1740	.1620	-.0080	-7.407	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.81	1.83	+.02	+1.105	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	156.69	147.54	-2.46	-1.667	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	5.71	5.51	-.20	-3.629	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	4.01	3.93	-.18	-2.035	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	89.25	88.11	-1.14	-1.293	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	8.28	7.71	-.57	+-7.399	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	16.30	15.53	-.77	-4.958	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	4.77	4.49	-.28	-6.236	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	1.96	2.12	+.16	+8.163	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	5.60	5.34	-.26	-4.869	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	31.49	31.60	+.11	+14.38	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	15.55	14.89	-.66	-4.432	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	34.45	33.40	-.95	-2.844	10.09	7.23
Yingli YGE	13.15	12.73	-.32	-3.299	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 436.34	Current 423.40	Change +24.81/+6.02%	Avg Stock +5.581%	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09** 266.01

* The starting date of the 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI).
** The Concensus "new" bull market began on Monday, March 9, 2009.
NOTE: All above stocks have market capitization of $100M+ except Akeena Solar, Amtel Systems
and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or
disapproval of any stock. Comments are welcome.

July 20-24: Solar Surpasses Dow, NASDAQ

Overall market sees second straight great week

The 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) gained 65.5 point to finish at 458 points this week, a 16.69% increase from last week. The solar index outperformed both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ which finished with considerable gains of their own.

The Dow finished above 9000 points for the first time since January 2 with a rise of nearly 350 points. Added to last week, the DJIA has rocketed 947 points since July 10. The Dow has gained nine of the last ten trading days. Percentage-wise the Dow and NASDAQ have run neck-and neck in the past two weeks. Good quarterly earnings reports from many public companies has added more summer sunshine on Wall Street.

Solar stocks were lead this week by SunPower surging a gawdy 8.75 points to finish today at 32.04 a share, nearly a 38% rise. LDK Solar, Solarfun, SunTech, Trina Solar and Yingli all rose in the 20-30% range. Only MEMC Electrical failed to gain for the week albeit down a measily 2 cents per share.

Reuters reported today that SunPower just announced better-than-expected earnings while China's LDK Solar raised its sales forecast. The other large gainers, said Reuters, likely came on the coattails of the SunPower and LDK surges.

Week of July 20-24, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	8743.94	9093.24	+349.30	+3.994%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	1886.61	1965.96	+79.35	+4.205	1628.03	1293.85
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.11	1.41	+.30	+27.03	2.28	.61
Amtel Systems ASYS	4.94	5.56	+.62	+12.55	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.67	13.19	+.52	+4.104	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	13.90	15.57	+1.67	+12.01	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	12.98	15.22	+2.44	+17.25	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.1700	.1900	+.0200	+11.760	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	2.06	2.34	+.28	+13.59	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	144.55	169.43	+24.88	+17.21	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	5.44	6.16	+.72	+13.23	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	4.48	5.32	+.84	+18.75	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	72.96	78.83	+5.87	+8.045	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	9.22	11.81	+2.59	+28.09	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	18.76	18.74	-.02	-.0011	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	5.27	6.20	+.93	+17.64	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	1.79	1.80	+.01	+.5586	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	6.25	7.50	+1.25	+20.00	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	23.29	32.04	+8.75	+37.57	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	15.95	20.49	+4.54	+28.46	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	25.00	31.10	+6.10	+24.40	10.09	7.23
Yingli YGE	11.73	15.10	+3.37	+28.73	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 392.5	Current 458.0	Change +65.5/+16.69%	Avg Stock +17.05%	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09** 266.01

* The starting date of the 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI).
** NOTE: Concensus "new" bull market began on Monday, March 9, 2009.

Dow, NASDAQ, Solar Up, Up, Up

Best day for NASDAQ in nine months

After three dismal weeks of trading in almost every sector, indexes are seeing a healthy reversal so far this week. The Dow closed at 8616.21 today, 470 points above last Friday's close, a 5.76% gain. NASDAQ finished at 1862.9, 107 points above Friday, a 6.09% rise. And the 20 Solar Stocks Index to a 6.23% leap so far, gaining 23.09 points to finish today at 393.49.

It was the highest close for NASDAQ since Oct. 6 and helped in large part by Intel whose second quarter revenue and profits were much better than expected. Intel gained 1.22 finishing at 18.05 today, a 7.2% jump.

All 20SSI solar companies have gained this week but this could be because investors are taking advantage of low stock prices after the shellacking taken by solar over the previous three weeks. Nothing special has happened in the industry but companies from integrators, installers, and manufacturers are starting to write some serious business lately.

June 29-July 3: Another Downer Week

More bears are attacking

The Dow lost 148.58 points over the week, nearly 2% off. The NASDAQ drop 42 points and the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) lost about 9 points both finishing 2.3% off last week.

MarketWatch and CNBC point to several reasons why the market over the past three weeks is looking bearish. The price of crude is doggedly rising; data from the Fed points to a weak, if not weakening, economy; brokerages and banks hint at more depressing news; some strong companies in tech are giving cautious projections; and the Federal Reserve has left interest rates the same.

Solar companies of all sizes are chomping on the bit because of stingy financing of projects they've lined up. The already watered-down House version of the new energy act could get even weaker in the Senate version. The existing version requires that 15% of all energy produced by 2020 must come from renewable sources. That's a measly 1.5% a year; not much of a goal. Fortunately, many states have legislated for higher renewable energy standards that dwarf the Fed's approach. California has mandated 20% from renewables by the end of 2010 and 30% by 2020, although attainment of either is questionable.

Prospects for solar and wind looked a lot more promising in November than what's happening right now. It's looking like Big Oil and Big Coal, with their copious amounts of cash and armies of lobbyists, have poisoned America's representative democracy irreversibly. As profit continues to trump common sense and scientific data, our once-great nation is now pimping to the highest bidders. Happy 4th!

Week of June 29-July 3, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	8438.39	8289.81	-148.58	-1.792%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	1838.22	1796.52	-41.7	-2.321	1628.03	1293.85
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.29	1.25	-.04	-3.200	2.28	.61
Amtel Systems ASYS	4.72	4.77	+.05	+1.059	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	10.91	11.13	+.22	+2.016	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	12.41	12.02	-.39	-3.244	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	14.78	15.06	+.28	+1.894	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.1850	.1651	+.0199	-12.05	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	2.35	2.39	+.04	+1.702	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	160.72	154.20	-6.52	-4.228	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	5.73	5.41	-.32	-5.914	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	4.85	4.37	-.48	-10.98	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	77.25	73.61	-3.64	-4.945	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	11.30	10.87	-.43	-3.956	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	17.94	17.55	-.39	-2.222	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	5.86	5.53	-.33	-5.967	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	2.16	1.80	-.36	-20.00	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	6.66	6.24	-.42	-6.730	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	26.81	26.23	-.58	-2.211	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	18.01	18.45	+.44	+2.443	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	23.53	26.35	+.58	+2.527	10.09	7.23
Yingli YGE	13.17	13.61	-.44	-3.340	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 420.64	Current 411.005	Change -9.64/-2.34%	Avg Stock -3.06%	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09** 266.01

* The starting date of the 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI).
** NOTE: Concensus "new" bull market began on Monday, March 9, 2009.

Solar Stocks Up Nearly 7% for Week

Dow, NASDAQ do okay, too

Solar stocks rebounded from about 2% down on average last week to nearly 7% up at the end of today's trading. This is the eighth week in a row the NASDAQ has gained. The Dow has gained seven of those eight weeks which began March 9, the supposed beginning of the current bull run.

Seventeen in the 20 Solar Stock Index were gainers with First Solar leading the pack gaining 33.43 points, an 18.48% gain for the week. First Solar reported Wednesday the Q1 revenues at $418.2 million with a net income of $164.6 million. This was down from $433.7 million in Q4 '08 but significantly better the first quarter '08 at $196.9 million. Evidently, First Solar's cadmium telluride cell technology continues to wow the PV market.

Since March 9, the DJIA has gained 19.3% overall; the NASDAQ, 24.74%. Although this solar stock index was up six of the eight weeks since March 9, the PV sector still gained over 63% since that date.

Is Wall Street simply overlooking this solar surge or is it choosing to overlook it. Rumors have compared solar's upswings to the dot.coms of the late 90s. But those were a lot of vaporware; solar power is real equipment producing real energy in a clean, renewable way. It would certainly seem to be what the nation and the world needs right now.

Week of April 27-May 1, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09
Dow Jones DJIA	8076.29	8212.41	+136.12	+1.657%	8952.89
NASDAQ	1694.29	1719.2	+46.13	+1.657	1628.03
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.12	1.07	-.05	-4.464	2.28
Amtel Systems ASYS	3.67	4.60	+.93	+20.21	4.00
Applied Materials AMAT	11.70	12.18	+.48	+3.940	10.67
Canadian Solar CSIQ	6.46	6.86	+.40	+5.831	7.00
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	16.66	18.71	+2.05	+10.95	29.33
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.2598	.22	-.0398	-15.35	.28
Evergreen Solar ESLR	2.16	2.11	-.05	-2.314	3.60
First Solar FSLR	147.46	180.89	+33.43	+18.48	157.80
GT Solar Int. SOLR	6.58	7.49	+.52	+6.95	4.00
JA Solar JASO	3.20	3.50	+.30	+8.571	5.09
Kyocera KYO	75.68	78.50	+2.82	+3.592	71.87
LDK Solar LDK	7.37	8.20	+.83	+10.12	14.84
MEMC Elect. WFR	15.44	16.54	+1.10	+6.650	15.76
Renesola SOL	3.08	3.45	+.37	+10.72	5.15
Satcon SATC	1.96	2.16	+.20	+9.259	1.60
SolarFun SOLF	4.07	4.1701	+.1001	+2.400	6.12
SunPower SPWRA	25.41	26.72	+.27	+1.010	45.13
SunTech STP	13.16	14.58	+1.42	+9.739	13.55
Trina Solar TSL	13.20	15.90	+2.70	+16.98	10.09
Yingli YGE	6.46	7.35	+.89	+12.10	7.25
Percent change all 20 stocks this week:				+6.72%

This Week: Dow Down, NASDAQ Up; Solar Dips About 2%

Banking sector giving investors heebee-jeebies

The six-week climb for the Dow ended today when the index fell 55 points from last week. However, NASDAQ kept its streak going with a 21.22 net increase for the week. The select 20 Solar Stock Index fell for the second straight week down about 2%.

The mixed performance is attributed to the shakiness of the American banking system. Just today four banks were shuttered by federal and state regulators in Georgia, Michigan, California and Idaho as the credit crisis crunches the economy.

Only six of the 20SSI finished ahead for the week: Amtel Systems, ECD (UniSolar), First Solar, Kyocera, Satcon and Trina Solar. Still, solar stocks are up over 50% since the mini-bull market began March 9. The PV industry will take hits but the future looks brighter for it and wind energy as more state and federal renewable energy standards take effect or get more stringent. For the first time ever, there is plenty of PV panels and related equipment onhand and this means good news for homeowners and commercial interests by driving down cost. Of course, a better credit atmosphere would help.

Week of April 20-24, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09
Dow Jones DJIA	8131.33	8076.29	-55.04	-.0068%	8952.89
NASDAQ	1673.07	1694.29	+21.22	+1.268	1628.03
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.24	1.12	-.12	-10.714	2.28
Amtel Systems ASYS	3.2901	3.67	+.3799	+11.54	4.00
Applied Materials AMAT	11.45	11.70	-.22	-.856	10.67
Canadian Solar CSIQ	6.88	6.46	-.42	-6.114	7.00
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	15.82	16.66	+.84	+5.309	29.33
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.26	.2598	-.0002	.0007	.28
Evergreen Solar ESLR	2.21	2.16	-.05	-2.314	3.60
First Solar FSLR	143.80	147.46	+3.66	+2.545	157.80
GT Solar Int. SOLR	6.97	6.58	-.39	-5.927	4.00
JA Solar JASO	3.41	3.20	-.21	-6.562	5.09
Kyocera KYO	69.55	75.68	+6.13	+8.813	71.87
LDK Solar LDK	8.39	7.37	-1.02	-13.839	14.84
MEMC Elect. WFR	15.59	15.44	-.15	-.0097	15.76
Renesola SOL	3.32	3.08	-.24	-7.792	5.15
Satcon SATC	1.79	1.96	+.19	+9.497	1.60
SolarFun SOLF	4.46	4.07	-.39	-9.582	6.12
SunPower SPWRA	26.45	25.41	-1.04	-4.092	45.13
SunTech STP	14.75	13.16	-1.59	-12.082	13.55
Trina Solar TSL	12.38	13.20	+.82	+6.623	10.09
Yingli YGE	7.01	6.46	-.55	-8.513	7.25
Percent change all 20 stocks this week:				-2.123%

Dow, NASDAQ Up; Solar Down a Sliver

Six week streak longest since May 2007

For the sixth consecutive week the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ have gone up, the longest streak in nearly two years. The 20 solar stocks in this index (20SSI) were a mixed bag; the average down less than a percentage point.

The biggest gainer was Entech Solar but that could be the fluke of the week. MEMC, a silicon wafer maker, took the biggest slide on news the company's first quarter earnings were about 5% under projections. Overall, eleven stocks were down this week putting the 20-stock averge at -.0641%.

Since Monday, March 9, the day the current bull market began, through end of trading yesterday, April 17, the Dow has risen 22% and NASDAQ 24.3%. Despite this week's weak performance the 20SSI has risen 58.6% in the past six weeks. So far as this blogger knows, no one else is reporting how the solar industry is bouncing back big in the early recovery stage.

Week of April 13-17

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09
Dow Jones DJIA	8083.38	8131.33	+47.95	+5.931%	8952.89
NASDAQ	1652.54	1673.07	+20.53	+1.242	1628.03
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.24	1.24	NC	NC	2.28
Amtel Systems ASYS	3.2901		-.0201	-.6146	4.00
Applied Materials AMAT	11.81	11.45	+.47	+4.104	10.67
Canadian Solar CSIQ	6.88	6.46	-.42	-6.114	7.00
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	15.02	15.82	_.80	+5.326	29.33
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.2050	.26	+.055	+26.829	.28
Evergreen Solar ESLR	2.24	2.21	-.03	-3.300	3.60
First Solar FSLR	142.05	143.80	+1.75	+1.231	157.80
GT Solar Int. SOLR	6.72	6.97	-.23	-3.300	4.00
JA Solar JASO	3.43	3.41	-.02	-.586	5.09
Kyocera KYO	68.88	69.55	+.67	+.972	71.87
LDK Solar LDK	8.08	8.39	+.31	+13.836	14.84
MEMC Elect. WFR	18.95	15.59	-3.36	-17.741	15.76
Renesola SOL	3.82	3.32	-.50	-13.090	5.15
Satcon SATC	1.92	1.79	-.13	-7.262	1.60
SolarFun SOLF	4.56	4.46	-.10	-2.203	6.12
SunPower SPWRA	26.04	26.45	+.41	+1.574	45.13
SunTech STP	14.40	14.75	+.35	+2.430	13.55
Trina Solar TSL	12.79	12.38	-.41	-3.216	10.09
Yingli YGE	7.31	7.01	-.30	-4.279	7.25
Percent change all 20 stocks this week:				-.0641%

March 9-13: Solar Stocks Top Dow, NASDAQ

Rare four-day upswing...

For the fourth consecutive day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained and the NASDAQ followed suit. At day's end, the Dow finished at 7223.98, an even 9% up from Monday's 6626.95 open; the NASDAQ gained 137.65 points, 10.63% up for the week.

This embryonic surge that began on Tuesday with a 389-point gain is welcome, to say the least, but does it mean that Monday, March 9 marked the pivotal end to one of the worst bear markets in American history is anyone's guess. As for solar stocks however, I give a qualified "Yes."

All but three of the key 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) finished not only higher this week but a glossy 12.57% average gain. Big winners were Evergreen Solar, Amtel Systems, SunTech, Canadian Solar and Applied Materials. Losers showed modest drops except for Entech Solar which appears to be staying afloat only by laying off personnel.

Granted, if this is a real turnaround it's much too early to tell. However, with recent DOE reports that available coal supplies are much less than forecast and CO2 levels accelerating faster than ever, the road to solar and wind is the de facto route for clean, renewable energy production. Solar stock investments could be the new GM, Standard Oil and Microsoft stocks of the 21st century.

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The Jon Stewart-Jim Cramer face-off on Thursday's The Daily Show is worth the watch. Stewart openly criticized Cramer's apparent disingenuousness as a financial commentator on CNBC leading up to the Wall Street collapse. The crux of the discussion according to Stewart is whether Cramer should act as an advocate for any particular Wall Street stocks or for the average laymen watching his "Mad Money" program. The upshot of Cramer's guest appearance is that he committed to Stewart to doing a better job of reporting financial news as it is rather than how he perceives it could or should be. Here's the link: http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=220536&title=jim-cramer-pt.-1

Week of March 9-13, 2009

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09
Dow Jones DJIA	6626.95	7223.98	+597.03	+9.00%	8952.89
NASDAQ	1293.85	1431.50	+137.65	+10.63	1628.03
Akeena Solar AKNS	.61	.6702	+.0602	+9.86	2.28
Amtel Systems ASYS	2.63	3.30	+.67	+25.47	4.00
Applied Materials AMAT	8.70	10.49	+1.79	+20.57	10.67
Canadian Solar CSIQ	3.0601	3.72	+.6599	+21.56	7.00
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	17.45	19.12	+1.67	+9.57	29.33
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.23	.1950	-.0350	.-15.22	.28
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.03	1.42	+.39	+37.86	3.60
First Solar FSLR	108.49	129.55	+21.06	+19.41	157.80
GT Solar Int. SOLR	4.02	3.89	-.13	-3.24	4.00
JA Solar JASO	1.91	2.30	+.39	+20.41	5.09
Kyocera KYO	54.21	64.80	+10.59	+19.53	71.87
LDK Solar LDK	4.40	4.55	+.15	+3.40	14.84
MEMC Elect. WFR	13.68	15.43	+1.75	+12.79	15.76
Renesola SOL	2.1201	2.26	+.1399	+6.60	5.15
Satcon SATC	1.23	1.21	-.02	-1.63	1.60
SolarFun SOLF	2.30	2.80	+.50	+21.74	6.12
SunPower SPWRA	23.39	24.38	+.99	+4.23	45.13
SunTech STP	5.34	6.88	+1.54	+28.83	13.55
Trina Solar TSL	7.23	7.39	+.16	+2.21	10.09
Yingli YGE	3.88	4.18	+.29	+7.45	7.25
Percent change all 20 stocks this week:				+12.57%

Solar Stock Update: Go Figure...

Dow at lowest since October '02

On Tuesday President Obama signed the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and the DJIA drops 298 points, the NASDAQ 64. The Dow lost 485 points for the week, the worst in over six years. Even for those who look at the stock market as just one barometer of the U.S. economy, it's not a pretty picture. The solar industry got a whopping $80 billion in combined benefits in the stimulus package so they must have done okay, right? 'Fraid not. All but two stocks in this index were down; an average decline of 6.87% on Tuesday alone. If that wasn't enough all 20 stocks were down an average 19.38% for the week. Go figure.

Word on the (Wall) street says talk of Bank of America and CitiGroup being nationalized has put a chink in investor confidence. Now talk about BofA head Ken Lewis's being subpoenaed by NY Atty. Gen. Andrew Cuomo about the Merrill Lynch acquisition last fall is a reason for today's funky stock market showing, i.e. down again. (Wasn't Lewis on 60 Minutes in December talking about BofA's great market position?) Add to that continuing crappy home sales and GM's verging on bankruptcy (scratching EVs for Hummers? Real smart.) exacerbates the downer mood.

Maybe the mainstreaming of solar stocks--which the PV industry always wanted--is not such a good thing anymore. If investors are sour on stocks generally then solar stocks are likely lumped in with the rest. But solar has to become a good investment on the roof and in a portfolio before very long. As more solar projects fall into place this spring and summer (and it's already starting), solar stock prices must logically do an about face. But let's face it: Had their been any uniform financial logic over the past eight years we wouldn't be in this mess.

Week of February 17-20

	Tuesday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09
Dow Jones DJIA	7850.41	7365.67	-484.74	-6.18%	8952.89
NASDAQ	1534.36	1441.23	-93.13	-6.07	1628.03
Akeena Solar AKNS	1.81	1.47	-.34	-18.79	2.28
Amtel Systems ASYS	3.38	3.01	-.34	-18.79	4.00
Applied Materials AMAT	9.51	8.76	-.75	-7.89	10.67
Canadian Solar CSIQ	5.00	4.20	-.80	-16.00	7.00
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	28.95	24.62	-4.33	-16.96	29.33
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.35	.272	-.078	-32.29	.28
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.66	1.30	-.36	-21.69	3.60
First Solar FSLR	144.45	134.01	-10.44	-7.33	157.80
GT Solar Int. SOLR	5.13	4.22	-.91	-17.44	4.00
JA Solar JASO	2.66	2.27	-.39	-16.67	5.09
Kyocera KYO	64.00	61.34	-2.66	-4.16	71.87
LDK Solar LDK	10.65	6.12	-4.53	-42.54	14.84
MEMC Elect. WFR	16.11	13.75	2.36	-14.65	15.76
Renesola SOL	3.58	2.37	-.39	-16.67	5.15
Satcon SATC	1.28	1.19	-.09	-7.04	1.60
SolarFun SOLF	4.53	2.97	-1.56	-34.44	6.12
SunPower SPWRA	35.00	30.92	-4.08	-11.66	45.13
SunTech STP	9.46	6.86	-2.60	-31.49	13.55
Trina Solar TSL	8.54	7.49	-1.05	-12.30	10.09
Yingli YGE	5.76	4.07	-1.69	-29.35	7.25
Percent change all 20 stocks this week:				-19.38%

Solar Stocks Update: Jan. 26-30, 2009

Down month finishes upbeat, sort of

Okay, it was a dismal month for the Dow, NASDAQ and solar stocks overall. This post I added an additional stat showing percentage loss or gain since Jan. 5 when this stock index began. Only two solar stocks were up for the month, Amtel Systems and Entech Solar (formerly WorldWater & Solar Technologies). Either these companies have something good going or they just got lucky. Average solar stock loss for all twenty was over 18% but this week finished on a high note as gainers topped losers 14 to 6 with the average stock price up for the week about 3%.

Reasons for the down market involve the same suspects: Weak economy exacerbated by growing unemployment; banks still stingy about lending (our money!); and an anemic economy worldwide that can't purchase our exports (such as they are). As for solar, wintertime simply is not a good solar sales period. What's more, the lending problem has stymied several large solar projects but power purchase agreements are beginning to jump-start others which is a reason why the month has finished up. Furthermore, extension of the solar investment tax credit is having a positive effect, at least here in California, where the rebates are still decent; electricity rates are still climbing; and the sun still produces appreciable kilowatt hours despite the season.

I guess it's appropriate now to remind readers it's always the sun that gives a cloud its silver lining.

Week of: January 26-30, 2009

Symbol/Name Monday Friday +/- % Change % Since 1/05/09

DJIA/Dow Jones 8116.03 8000.86 -115.17 -1.42 -11.89

NASDAQ 1489.46 1476.42 -12.04 -.88 -9.32

Akeena Solar AKNS 2.00 1.85 -.15 -7.50 -18.86

Amtel Systems ASYS 4.17 4.04 -.13 -3.12 +1.01

Applied Mat. AMAT 9.83 9.37 -.46 -4.68 -7.88

Canadian Solar CSIQ 5.21 5.46 +.25 +1.05 -25.58

ECD (UniSolar) ENER 24.79 25.17 +.38 +1.53 -15.48

Entech (WW) ENSL.OB .36 .4075 +.0475 +13.19 +31.29

Evergreen Solr ESLR 2.12 2.21 +.09 +4.24 -38.62

First Solar FSLR 139.05 142.80 +3.75 +2.69 -9.51

GT Solar Int. SOLR 3.86 3.63 -.23 -5.96 -3.50

JA Solar JASO 2.46 2.66 +.20 +8.13 -47.75

Kyocera KYO 67.35 63.62 -.73 -.014 -11.48

LDK Solar LDK 11.54 12.10 +.56 +4.85 -18.47

MEMC Elect. WFR 13.41 13.60 +.19 +1.41 -13.71

Renesola SOL 3.39 3.68 +.29 +8.55 -28.55

Satcon SATC 1.43 1.38 -.05 -3.50 -13.75

SolarFun SOLF 4.91 4.96 +.05 +1.01 -18.96

SunPower SPWRA 28.80 33.56 +4.76 +16.52 -25.64

SunTech STP 8.85 9.41 +.56 +6.32 -30.56

Trina Solar TSL 7.47 8.08 +.61 +8.16 -19.93

Yingli YGE 5.27 5.59 +.32 +6.07 -22.90

Average % change for all solar stocks for week: +2.946%

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