Solar Advice for Free

Solar Open House, Sat., 3/24

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:01:00 +0000

See PV at work...

Mark your calendar for next Saturday, March 24 for a Solar Open House at the Shubat residence in the Carmel Mountain area of north San Diego. The Shubat family has been reaping the rewards of solar since last spring. In fact, their system was over-sized in anticipation of their purchase of an electric vehicle later this year. This installation was featured in Solar Today magazine last summer: http://goo.gl/WrvsE

Here's a chance to ask any questions about grid-tie systems, incentives, purchasing, leasing or borrowing. Stop by and have a piece of pizza. It'll be fun and informative.

WHEN:    Saturday, March 24
TIME:      10am to 2pm
WHERE: 5367 Harvest Run Drive
      San Diego, CA 92130

DIRECTIONS:

From I-5

1) Take the exit toward CA-56 E/Local Bypass. 0.6 mi
2) Merge onto I-5 Local Byp. 0.7 mi
3) Take the Carmel Mountain Rd exit, EXIT 32. 0.2 mi
4) Turn right onto Carmel Mountain Rd. 0.4 mi
5) Turn right to stay on Carmel Mountain Rd. 1.4 mi
(Carmel Mountain Rd is 0.1 miles past Vista Sorrento Pky. If you are on Carmel Creek Rd and reach Lago di Grata Cir you've gone about 0.1 miles too far.)
6) Turn right onto Harvest Run Dr. 0.3 mi
(Harvest Run Dr is 0.2 miles past Furlong Pl. If you reach Amberglades Ln you've gone about 0.3 miles too far.)
7) 5367 HARVEST RUN DR is on the right.

From I-15

1) Merge onto Ted Williams Pky/CA-56 W. 6.5 mi
(If you are on Carmel Mountain Rd and reach Caminito Bolsa you've gone about 0.1 miles too far.)
2) Take the Carmel Country Road exit, EXIT 2. 0.3 mi
3) Turn left onto Carmel Country Rd. 1.7 mi
4) Turn right onto Carmel Mountain Rd. 0.3 mi
(Carmel Mountain Rd is 0.1 miles past Stone Haven Way. If you are on Carmel Mountain Rd and reach Laurel Chase Dr you've gone about 0.1 miles too far.)
5) Turn left onto Amberglades Ln.    0.2 mi
(Amberglades Ln is 0.1 miles past Plumcrest Ln. If you reach Cherry Hill Dr you've gone about 0.2 miles too far.)
6) Turn right onto Harvest Run Dr. 0.04 mi
7) 5367 HARVEST RUN DR is on the left.
(If you reach Whispering Hills Ln you've gone a little too far.)

We'll see you next Saturday!

Electricity Rates to Increase 13% Nationwide

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Preparing for the Smart Grid, renewable technologies

Electricity rate increases nationwide will range from 3 to 33% with the average at 12.64%. The statistics appear in the AEE 2012 Electricity Outlook prepared by Southern California Edison (http://goo.gl/uGmHD).

SCE reported the final decision on its 7.55% across-the-board rate increase request is due in March and would take effect in May. With approval, the increase will amount to $6.285 billion in added income. In the same report rates for PG&E were expected to rise 6.4%.

The report went on to detailed why SCE needs the funds. They included infrastructure replacement; operations and maintenance expense for capital-related projects, regulatory mandates, wildfire insureance and employee benefits; and Smart Grid enhancements. These include replacing poles, wires and transformers; increasing grid security; adding smart grid components need to integrate more renewable energy; getting the SCE region ready for plug-in electric vehicles; and maintaining a skilled work force.

Residential tiers at SCE would change as follows: Baseline (T1) from 12.5 to 13.1 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or 5%; Tier 2 from 14.8 to 15.5 (5%); Tier 3 from 22.9 to 29.1 (27%); Tier 4 from 26.4 to 32.6 (23%) and Tier 5 from 29.9 to 36.1 (21%). CARE (discounted) customers will see a 14% increase in Tiers 3-5.

Steep as they are, these increases could be a lot worse. SCE serves some 13 million residential and commercial customers so the burden is spread around. SCE is not only the largest utility in California but it comprises 80% of the gross revenues of its parent, Edison International in New Jersey.

With most states adopting renewable energy standards, ratepayers will see increases related both to the increasing costs of fossil fuels but also in upgrading infrastructure for the Smart Grid and renewable energy technologies. As always, the best way to mitigate the rising costs or power to home and work is solar power. A PV system provides both clean energy for 30 years or more but hedges against future rate hikes during its lifecycle.

CA Farmers Drill Wells, Pump with Solar

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:46:00 +0000

Drill, baby, drill! Then go solar....

Sometimes solutions to problems are hidden in plain sight. Two avocado farmers in San Diego County experienced exactly that.

Their problems were two-fold: The skyrocketing cost of water for irrigation and the equally exploding costs to pump it. Their solution, tripped upon by sheer necessity, came by drilling for their own water, digging their own ponds to hold it and building solar power systems to pump it. Even better, a lot of the equipment and labor was already on hand.

Of course, drilling the wells and making the holding areas cost money but the medium- and long-term savings are considerable. What's more, water availability and the rising
cost for it is mitigated. Going solar however, required some outside expertise.

Enter Larry Slominski.

Slominski's been in solar since way before solar was cool. His first-hand experience ranges from installing off-grid PV systems in Micronesia while in the Peace Corps to a 2MW grid-tied installation at the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.

Larry Slominski

A mechanical engineer by training, Slominski has been involved with every facet of the solar industry including both crystalline and amorphous-silicon panel technologies; single- and dual-access trackers; concentrated PV; string and micro-inverters; and all forms of ballasted, BIPV and penetrating roof applications and ground-mounted projects. Walking with him at a solar trade show and seeing someone in every third booth hailing Larry like a long-lost army buddy, you know he is a maven of the solar field.

Slominski worked with the two farmers on practical panel array plans on the land made available. His services also included compliance, permitting, rebate and tax incentive advisement, equipment selection and procurement, project oversight, inspection preparation and system commissioning.

"Solar panel prices are at an all-time low and when you add incentives along with the high cost of energy and water, in these cases," says Slominski, "it's a great time to go solar." He said when on-staff farm labor is added to the mix, payback can come in less than five years. One of the two farmers, he says, will save a cool million by taking this new tack.

"Farmers know if they cannot control external market forces, they can vastly improve their bottom line by drilling their own wells and utilizing solar power," Slominski concludes, "and these two alternatives have been there in plain sight for quite awhile."

For inquiries contact Larry Slominski at LTS Energy, 760/505-6822 (lslominski@aol.com) or David Brands, 760/908-3770 (dbrands72@gmail.com).

Sunpower Lease: A Dissection

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:50:00 +0000

Finally, a Sunpower PV system for the rest of us...

Take it from one who's both sold Sunpower systems and sold against Sunpower during 10 years in the industry. It's better to sell it. And now it's even easier to lease it.

This writer has been skeptical of solar leases in the past. It was reasoned that after a lessee makes the monthly lease payment and pays the utility what the PV system did not produce (net metering), the savings would be quite minimal.

Well, Sunpower makes a better case for leasing.

First off, the other two nationwide solar leasing programs, Solar City and SunRun, lease for 15 years while Sunpower leases are for 20. Furthermore, Sunpower underwrites the leases on its own equipment. This shows a confidence in its products (panels, inverters, monitors, racking) and a commitment to stated kilowatt-hour projections over the 20-year lease term.

For those new to solar, Sunpower is the Tiffany of solar panels. Using the highest grade silicon, Sunpower leads the industry with 18 and 19% efficiency panels; suitable standard panels are around 14%. Thus, a Sunpower 230W panel (18%) takes about 13.6 square feet and a similar 14% module requires 17 to 18 square feet. This means a Sunpower system makes a smaller footprint on a roof if space is an issue and allows for expansion later if more space is available. Sunpower was the first to make all-black panels (frames, cells and substrate) which improve aesthetics and mitigate reflective glare.

Now for some numbers.

Sunpower offers both no-money-down monthly contracts and prepaid leases (see comparison below). Here in California solar leases can offer modest savings to mondo savings depending upon the ratepayer's bills. This blogger has presented lease proposals that will save $50 on a $225 bill and $400 on a $1000 monthly bill, again with no money down.

Click on this lease comparison for a detailed view. Direct purchase price for this 6.9kW system is $42,523.

Monthly lease payments can be modified (cheaper at the beginning) with annual escalators of 1-4.5%. In a state whose Big 3 utility (PG&E, SCE and SDG&E) rates increase between 6-7% annually, such escalators keep Sunpower lessees below the norm.

Finally, Sunpower offers the prepaid lease. This method comes between 50% and 75% of a purchased Sunpower system price. The prepaid lease can nearly eliminate all power costs for the 20 year term. All leases have set year-by-year termination values in case the lessee moves. In such case the lease holder can add the termination value to the asking price of the house or offer the buyer to take over the lease.

Credit requirement: Prospective lessees need only have a 700+ FICO score and own their houses to qualify. The credit check takes about a day and is reported only a pass/fail. Think about this: A homeowner can be upside down on his mortgage and jobless but a 700 or better credit score gets him the lease.

End of Lease: Much like a power purchase agreement, at the end of the lease term lessees can either renegotiate their lease; purchase their system; or have it removed.

As lessor, Sunpower is responsible for the system's operation. However, lessees are required to keep the system safe and panels clean for optimum production. This is no different than a tenant performing general upkeep of an apartment.

The sweet spot of the Sunpower lease is that it allows people who maybe never could afford to purchase a top-of-the-line PV system the chance to benefit from PV without upfront costs. One of my customers is saving a modest $50 per month on his bill. "It might not be much but savings is savings and we didn't have to layout anything to get it."

(For inquiries about the Sunpower residential solar lease in San Diego and Orange counties, call David Brands a 760/908-3770 or email david@clarysolar.com.)

Blogger Featured in Solar Today Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:10:00 +0000

Getting publicity is sure great but for someone like me it's a little difficult to "toot my own horn." Still, if you have spare time during lunch or whenever, take a look. http://goo.gl/WrvsE

Many thanks to author and friend Dr. Mary Beth McCabe for interviewing me and writing this article which was totally unsolicited by this writer or Clary Solar. Mary Beth owns Sun Marketing and specializes in the marketing and promotions of solar power from assisting individual installers with building image to strategic planning for solar integrators and manufacturers. She can be contacted at mbmccabe@sunmarketing.net.

Also, special thanks to both Mary Beth and her husband, Allen Shubat, for purchasing a 6.9kWdc system. It is always impressive when people actually practice what they preach. --DB

June: Dow, NASDAQ, Solar Drop More

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Month finishes strong though

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 158 points during June to finish at 12412, about a 1.3% decline. The NASDAQ fell 60 points during the month to end at 60.22, a 2.17% slip. Issues in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) however finished nearly flat from May finishing at 391 points, just a 2.5 point slip or .6%.

Despite weak performance for solar stocks this year, the industry continues to be one of the few bright growth sectors. Spain's and Italy's reduction in solar feed-in tariffs have led to a glut in panel inventories and unprecedented low wholesale pricing worldwide.

20 Solar Stocks Index as of 6/30/11

	Close 5/31/11	Close 6/30/11	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	12570	12412	-158	-1.272%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2835.3	2775.08	-60.22	-2.170	1628.03	1293.85

Amtech Systems ASYS	21.88	20.60	-1.28	-6.213	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	13.78	13.01	-.77	-5.918	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	9.85	11.52	+1.69	+16.95	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	1.40	1.17	-.23	-19.66	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.09	.07	-.02	-28.57	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.70	.58	-.12	-20.68	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	124.25	130.66	+6.41	+5.158	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	12.76	16.15	+3.37	+26.56	4.00	4.02
Hanwha SolarOne HSOL f/k/a Solarfun	6.73	6.41	-.32	-4.992	6.12	2.30
JA Solar JASO	6.03	5.50	-.53	-9.636	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	105.45	101.69	-3.74	-3.697	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	7.59	7.36	-.23	-3.125	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	10.52	8.27	-27.20	-12.45	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	7.42	5.24	-2.18	-41.60	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	2.66	2.41	-.25	-10.37	1.60	1.23
SunPower SPWRA	21.06	19.30	-.1.76	-9.119	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.12	7.90	-.22	-2.784	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	22.95	22.47	-.48	-2.136	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	1.13	1.56	+.43	+38.05	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	9.18	9.19	+.01	+.1089	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 393.55	Current 391.06	Change -2.49/.6367%		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 Westinghouse Solar (formerly Akeena), Amtel Systems
and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval of any stock listed. Comments are always welcome.

May: Major Stock Indexes Down

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:20:00 +0000

Poor economic data gets blame

The Dow Industrials slipped over 1.9% in May, the first monthly drop in six month. The Dow closed Tuesday a 12570, 241 points down from April. The NASDAQ fared only slightly better with a 1.35% drop to finish at 2835, a 38-point slide from last month. Eighteen in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) were slammed in May with the index finishing at 393.55, a 47-point slip or nearly 12%.

Only 38,000 jobs were added last month when analysts projected 175,000. Also, the Institute for Supply Management reported growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector slowed to 53.5% in May from 60.4% in April, the largest one-month drop since 1984.

Supplies of solar panels are backing up, according to a source for this blog, and some major manufacturers appear to be dumping modules at unprecedented low pricing. It would appear a good time for consumers to add solar power to their homes. The question is how many are in a position to do so.

20 Solar Stocks Index as of 5/31/11

	Close 4/29/11	Close 5/31/11	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	12810.54	12570	-240.54	-1.913%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2873.54	2835.30	-38.24	-1.348	1628.03	1293.85

Amtech Systems ASYS	22.68	21.88	-.80	-3.656	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	15.69	13.78	-1.91	-13.86	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	10.80	9.85	-.95	-9.644	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	2.00	1.40	-.60	-42.86	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.0433	.09	+.0467	+207.8	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	1.35	.70	-.65	-92.85	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	139.57	124.25	-15.32	-12.24	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	11.17	12.76	+1.59	+14.23	4.00	4.02
Hanwha SolarOne HSOL f/k/a Solarfun	6.83	6.73	-.10	-1.485	6.12	2.30
JA Solar JASO	6.85	6.03	-.82	-13.59	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	109.91	105.45	-4.46	-4.229	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	11.51	7.59	-3.92	-51.64	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.83	10.52	-1.31	-12.45	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	9.18	7.42	-1.76	-23.72	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.21	2.66	-.55	-20.67	1.60	1.23
SunPower SPWRA	21.69	21.06	-.63	-2.991	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.97	8.12	-.85	-10.46	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	28.47	22.95	-5.52	-24.05	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.455	1.13	+.675	+48.35	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	12.53	9.18	-3.35	-36.49	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 440.42	Current 393.55	Change -46.87/11.9%		1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

April: Dow, NASDAQ Climb; Solar Slips

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:32:00 +0000

Only four solar winners

The Dow had a bumpy April but still was able to finish 490 points ahead since March to end at 12810.54, nearly a 4% gain. The NASDAQ also had a good month gaining 92 points to 2873.54, a 3.3% rise. Issues in the 20 Solar Stocks Index fared poorly however as 15 stocks lost value and the index closed today at 440.42, over an 8% drop.

Spring is usually good to solar as contracts pick up after winter. Also, the BP Gulf disaster of a year ago; damaging strip mining in Appalachia; and the continuing nuclear crisis in Japan would make one think a serious turn to renewables would be natural. But there's nothing natural or logical to our growing energy problems when Big Oil, King Coal and nuclear lobbies command the attention and control of a duplicitous Congress. Solar, wind and geothermal are all ready to take their places in the nation's energy industry but stalwart corporate interests continue to stymie any political or moral will to change.

As the wicked talons of greed become more and more conspicuous (including banking, HMOs, NFL, tax breaks for the elite) it seems they keep attaining more instead of being held in check. And the middle class (sans Teabaggers) gets less political access, higher gas and food prices, outrageous credit card interest and fees and paychecks that seem to shrink month by month.

20 Solar Stocks Index as of 4/29/11

	Close 3/31/11	Close 4/29/11	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	12319.73	12810.54	+490.27	+3.983%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2781.07	2873.54	+92.47	+3.324	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	24.24	22.68	-1.56	16.878	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	15.62	15.69	+.07	+.4481	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	11.28	10.80	-.48	-4.444	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	2.26	2.00	-.26	-13.00	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.05	.0433	-.0067	-15.47	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.599	1.35	+.751	+25.37	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	160.84	139.57	-21.27	-15.23	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	10.67	11.17	+.50	+4.686	4.00	4.02
Hanwha SolarOne HSOL f/k/a Solarfun	7.58	6.83	-.75	-10.98	6.12	2.30
JA Solar JASO	7.01	6.85	-.16	-2.335	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	100.91	109.91	+9.00	+8.918	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	12.24	11.51	-.73	-6.342	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.96	11.83	-1.13	-9.551	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	10.55	9.18	-1.37	-14.92	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.86	3.21	-.65	-20.24	1.60	1.23
SunPower SPWRA	17.14	21.69	+4.55	+26.54	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	9.86	8.97	-.89	-9.921	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	30.09	28.47	-1.62	-5.690	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.475	.455	-.020	-4.395	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	12.89	12.53	-.36	-2.873	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 477.42	Current 440.42	Change -37/8.401%		1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Solar Stocks Ahead First Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Winners: 13 Losers: 7

(Ed. Note: After my hard-drive crashed on Dec. 19, I was able to recover most of my data with the exception of some HTML code for this blog. Since then--and with the encouragement of some readers--I have been able to reconstruct this index which I intend to update monthly instead of weekly.)

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 828 points since this blogs last update Dec. 17 which is a 7% increase and ended the first quarter at 12320. NASDAQ composite gained 138 points or over a 5% and finishing March at 2781. For the most part issues in the 20 Solar Stocks Index surged as well gaining 73 points over the same period for an 18% total increase and finish the first quarter at 477.

Notable winners include Trina Solar, Yingli, Renesola, Sunpower and GT Solar all with 20%-plus gains. Losers are lead by ECD followed by Entech and Westinghouse Solar. It appears at this time it is too early to tell of the nuclear crisis in Japan will have a positive effect in solar power plans for the future. However, the solar industry will definitely get a boost from bill that past the California legislature this week that will require all of the state's utilities to get 33% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The bill was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown's office for signature on Tuesday.

20 Solar Stocks Index as of 3/31/11

	Close 12/17/11	Close 3/31/11	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11491.91	12319.73	+827.82	+7.203%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2642.97	2781.07	+138.10	+5.225	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	24.54	25.24	+.70	+2.852	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	13.61	15.62	+2.01	+14.77	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	12.68	11.28	-1.40	-12.41	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.98	2.26	-2.72	-220.3	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.08	.05	-.03	-60.00	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.599	1.35	+.751	+25.37	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	133.25	160.84	+27.59	+20.70	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.40	10.67	+2.27	+27.02	4.00	4.02
Hanwha SolarOne HSOL f/k/a Solarfun	8.45	7.58	-.87	-11.47	6.12	2.30
JA Solar JASO	6.67	7.01	+.34	+5.097	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	101.98	100.91	-1.07	-.9909	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	10.05	12.24	+2.19	+21.79	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.08	12.96	+1.88	+16.97	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	8.02	10.55	+2.53	+31.54	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	4.27	3.86	-.41	-10.62	1.60	1.23
SunPower SPWRA	13.52	17.14	+3.62	+26.77	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.23	9.86	+1.63	+19.80	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	22.74	30.09	+7.35	+32.32	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.55	.475	-.075	-15.78	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	10.27	12.89	+2.62	+25.51	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 403.97	Current 477.42	Change +73.45/+18.18%		1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Japan's Nuke Crisis: Time for Solar Backup?

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:23:00 +0000

Should Californians be alarmed?

After sending an email out to prospects last week I got a call from a man I pitched about 16 months ago. He said he is quite interested in adding not only grid-tied solar power to his home in East San Diego County. He was particularly rattled about the nuclear crisis ongoing in Japan and the fact that members of his family have some serious health issues requiring ample electricity availability.

Granted, the possibility of an 8.9 earthquake is not likely here but possible. Also, inland San Diego County is susceptible to devastating brush fires in the fall so this person's concerns are not so far fetched.

California leads the U.S. with some 77,000 grid-tied residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems and San Diego Gas & Electric's territory leads both Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison in total installations despite the fact SDG&E has much fewer customers than either of the other two utilities. Recommending most of these PV system owners add backup systems is maybe "crying wolf" but those living in outlying areas might want to take a look. Also, it helps that panels are already installed so adding batteries and appropriate inverter won't be as much of a capital outlay as installing an entire system.

Mind you, standard fuel-powered generators are the first line of defense against power outages but that solution is only as good as how long the fuel lasts during an extended power outage.

If a customer of either of the Big 3 above has big power bills, a grid-tie system is a very good deal today. Panel prices continue to be rock-bottom low and there is still a CA Solar Initiative rebate and a federal tax credit to help defray installation costs. For those thinking about installing a grid-tie system with backup, consider where you actually live. Those residing in a city likely will get power restored more quickly than people in the back country. A conventional gas-powered generator could be a logical backup for, say, a week-long outage. Granted, this has not happened in the 32 years I've lived in San Diego so the backup option is hardly necessary unless...

Solar power as a long-term backup strategy is the most reliable one can have. The question one needs to ask is how much of a load is enough to sustain a household daily for weeks, possibly months, at a time. This translates into how big an off-grid inverter needs to be and how many batteries are needed for required backup.

For those living in San Diego County, feel free to contact this blogger about solar backup solutions. For those around the U.S. here are some links for further information:

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/back-up-power.html

http://www.solartechnologies.com/cm/Solar-Power-Homes/Back-Up-Power-Systems.html

http://www.solarhome.org/browseproducts/Outbac k-PS1-3000-Grid-Tie-Solar-Power-System-with-Battery-Backup.html

http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-Package-Deals/Grid-Tied-with-Battery-Backup/c568/

California: Both Nuke Plants Near Faults

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Another lesson ignored?

For those naysayers constantly jabbing and maligning solar power advocates as energy pollyannas, here's a present-day take on California's two nuclear plants. The earthquake threat here is obvious but it's possible elsewhere in the U.S. (At right: San Onofre nuclear power plant. The following is an excerpt from "Top Ten Nuclear Nations' Quake Hazard". See whole story at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2011/03/pictures/110329-top-10-nuclear-nations-quake-hazard/)

"Japan's Fukushima Daiichi crisis has raised questions around the world on the earthquake hazard in countries that rely heavily on nuclear power. As it turns out, the seismic threat varies widely in the top ten countries generating electricity by fission.

Although the United States has not built a new nuclear power station since the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island, it is far and away the world's largest nuclear power producer. Its 104 reactors produce more electricity than all the nuclear plants in the next two nations-France and Japan-combined. But because U.S. electricity use is so prodigious, all those nuclear plants provide only 20 percent of the total.

"Given the map of U.S. earthquake hazard, it's no surprise that California's two nuclear power plants are the ones that have raised the most political concern in the wake of Japan's crisis. San Onofre, in San Clemente, and Diablo Canyon, in Avila Beach, are located right on the coast, near active faults.

Earthquake hazard in this area of the West, where the North American tectonic plate meets the Pacific plate, is about five times greater than the earthquake hazard in the eastern half of the United States, says seismologist Seth Stein, of Northwestern University's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. He is author of the recent book, Disaster Deferred, on how new science is changing views of earthquake hazards in the Midwestern United States. As the book explains, there is some seismic hazard in the central and eastern part of the country, where the vast majority of U.S. nuclear reactors are located. Damaging earthquakes have occurred near Charleston, South Carolina; Boston, Massachusetts; and New Madrid, Missouri."

Dec 13-17: Dow, NASDAQ gain, Solar down

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 01:56:00 +0000

Third straight week of gains for majors

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained nearly 81 points since last Friday to close the week at 11492, a .7% rise. The NASDAQ gained a slight 5 points to end the week at 2643, .2% up. However, all but three stocks in the 20 Solar Stocks Index gained in price and the composite fell nearly 9 points to finish at 404, about a 3% slide. This is rather typical for solar as sales are stronger in the warm-weather months and solar power systems do not fit into the standard holiday shopping list.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Dec 13-17, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11410.32	11491.91	+81.59	+.7150%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2637.54	2642.97	+5.43	+.2058	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	25.04	24.54	-.50	-2.037	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	13.36	13.61	+.25	+1.871	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	13.37	12.68	-.69	-5.441	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	5.01	4.98	-.03	-.6024	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.07	.08	+.01	+14.28	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.697	.599	-.098	-16.36	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	138.20	133.25	-4.95	-3.714	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	9.10	8.40	-.70	-8.333	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	7.03	6.67	-.36	-5.397	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	102.76	101.98	-.78	-.7648	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	10.37	10.05	-.32	-3.184	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.03	11.08	-.95	-8.574	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	8.75	8.02	-.73	-9.102	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	4.30	4.27	-.03	-,7025	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	8.68	8.45	-.23	-2.721	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	13.68	13.52	-.16	-1.183	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.27	8.23	-.04	-.4860	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	24.26	22.74	-1.52	-6.684	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.4001	.55	+.1499	+37.46	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	10.50	10.27	-.23	-1.253	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 415.88	Current 403.97	Change -8.91/-2.94%	Avg Stock -.95%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Dec 6-10: Markets Rise Second Week

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:16:00 +0000

S&P finishes at 2-year high

All major U.S. markets finished the week with gains. The Dow was lead by GE stock with a 3.4% gain after paying a 17% quarterly dividend, the second of the year. Half of the stocks in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) gained for the week and ended at 416, a 2.27% hop.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Dec 6-10, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11382.09	11410.32	+28.23	+.2480%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2591.46	2637.54	+46.08	+1.778	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	23.18	25.04	+1.86	+8.024	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	13.06	13.36	+.30	+2.297	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	13.60	13.37	-.23	-1.720	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.58	5.01	+.43	+9.388	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.07	.07	NC	0	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.79	.697	-.093	-13.34	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	131.04	138.20	+7.16	+5.463	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	7.96	9.10	+1.14	+14.32	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	7.37	7.03	-.34	-4.836	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	104.70	102.76	-1.94	-1.887	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	10.65	10.37	-.28	-2.700	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.89	12.03	+.04	+1.177	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	9.05	8.75	-.30	-3.428	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.98	4.30	+.32	+8.040	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	8.73	8.68	-.05	-.5760	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	12.91	13.68	+.77	+5.964	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.28	8.27	_.01	-.1209	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	23.71	24.26	+.55	+2.319	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.392	.4001	+.0081	+2.066	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	10.71	10.50	-.21	-2.00	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 406.65	Current 415.88	Change +9.23/+2.27%	Avg Stock +1.42%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Nov 29-Dec 3: All Markets Up

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:46:00 +0000

Dow gains 290 points

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11092.00	11382.09	+290.09	+2.615%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2534.56	2591.46	+56.90	+2.244	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	19.94	23.18	+3.24	+16.24	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.53	13.06	+.53	+4.229	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	14.52	13.60	-.92	-6.76	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.45	4.58	+.13	+2.921	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.08	.07	-.01	-14.28	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.782	.79	+.008	+1.023	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	126.22	131.04	+4.82	+3.818	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	7.09	7.96	+.87	+12.27	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	7.53	7.37	.16	-2.170	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	100.35	104.70	+4.35	+4.33	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	11.00	10.65	-.45	-3.286	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.97	11.89	-.08	-.6728	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	9.35	9.05	-.30	-3.314	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.65	3.98	+.33	+9.041	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	9.00	8.73	-.27	-3.092	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	11.93	12.91	+.98	+8.214	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	7.32	8.28	+.96	+13.11	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	24.33	23.71	-.62	-2.614	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.40	.392	-.008	-2.040	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	10.48	10.71	+.23	+2.194	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 392.92	Current 406.65	Change +13.73/+3.494%	Avg Stock +.68%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Nov 22-26: Dow Down; Others mixed

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:29:00 +0000

European debt still spooking investors

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 112 points this week to finish at 11092, a 1% decline. The NASDAD fared better with a 16-point gain to end at 2536, .65% up since last Friday. Stocks in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) just over a point to 393, a 1.62% slip.

Continued worries about European debt fed the downturn on the Dow even after initial Black Friday readings for the beginning of the Holiday shopping season showed promise. After Ireland possibly needing a financial boost, now Spain's debt is looking ominous.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Nov 22-26, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11203.55	11092.00	-111.55	-1.005%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2518.12	2534.56	+16.44	+.6528	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	17.50	19.94	+2.44	+13.94	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.53	12.53	NC	-0	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	14.56	14.52	-.04	-.2754	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.87	4.45	-.42	-9.438	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.08	.08	NC	0	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.838	.782	-.056	-7.161	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	126.75	126.22	-.53	-.4199	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	7.21	7.09	-.12	-1.692	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	7.64	7.53	-.11	-1.460	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	101.75	100.35	-1.40	-1.395	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	11.24	11.00	-.24	-2.181	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.02	11.97	-.05	-.4177	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	9.51	9.35	-.16	-1.711	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.69	3.65	-.04	-1.095	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	8.70	9.00	+.30	+3.448	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	12.31	11.93	-.38	-3.185	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	7.48	7.32	-.16	-2.185	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	23.90	24.33	+.43	+1.799	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.4599	.40	-.0599	-14.97	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	11.14	10.48	-.66	-6.297	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 394.17	Current 392.92	Change -1.25/-1.62%	Avg Stock -6.33%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Nov 15-19: Flat Week for Most Indexes

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:35:00 +0000

Dow gains 11; NASDAQ, Solar off

It was a week of volatility as U.S. stocks closed nearly flat over five sessions due in part to worries over the rate of Chinese growth and the stability of European economies mounted and ebbed.

MarketWatch reports that concerns gradually eased Friday when China raised its banks’ reserve requirements for the second time in twoweeks. Although markets plunged earlier this week on worries that tighter monetary policy in China could cut demand for U.S. goods and commodities, investors seemed upbeat on Friday that China’s rate of growth would remain strong, even with curbs to check inflation.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Nov 15-19, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11192.58	11203.55	+10.92	+.0980%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2518.21	2518.12	-.09	-.0035	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	17.28	17.50	+.22	+1.273	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.59	12.53	-.06	-.4788	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	14.16	14.56	+.40	+2.824	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	5.11	4.87	-.24	-4.928	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.084	.08	-.004	-5.00	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.88	.838	-.042	-5.011	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	138.39	126.75	-11.64	-9.183	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.64	7.21	-1.43	-19.83	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	8.50	7.64	-.86	-11.25	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	101.14	101.75	+.61	+.6031	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	12.53	11.24	-1.29	-11.47	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	13.00	12.02	-.98	-8.153	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	11.63	9.51	-2.12	-22.29	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.89	3.69	-.20	-5.420	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	9.06	8.70	-.36	-4.137	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	13.97	12.31	-1.66	-13.48	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.47	7.48	-.99	-13.23	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	24.51	23.90	-.61	-2.552	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.52	.4599	-.060	-13.06	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	11.04	11.14	+.10	+.9057	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 407.62	Current 394.17	Change -13.45/-3.412%	Avg Stock -6.33%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Nov 8-12: Dow, NASDAQ, Solar Slip

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:01:00 +0000

U.S. stocks drop on China rate fears

The Dow fell over 2.2% this week on worries about the consequences of the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying initiative and renewed concentration on Europe’s sovereign-debt issues, according to MarketWatch's weekly wrap-up. Another concern is that China could take steps to brake its economy’s expansion. Altogether it was a down week for all major indexes.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Nov 8-12, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11444.08	11192.58	-259.42	-2.247%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2578.98	2518.21	-60.77	-2.413	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	18.27	17.28	-.99	-5.729	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.98	12.59	-.39	-3.097	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	15.85	14.16	-1.69	-11.93	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.46	5.11	+.65	+14.57	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.10	.084	-.016	-19.04	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.934	.88	-.054	-6.136	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	138.83	138.39	-.44	-.3179	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.84	8.64	-.20	-2.314	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	9.43	8.50	-.93	-10.94	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	105.36	101.14	-4.22	-4.172	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	13.19	12.53	-.66	-5.267	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.73	13.00	+.27	+2.120	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	12.96	11.63	-1.33	-11.14	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	4.31	3.89	-.42	-10.79	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	10.21	9.06	-1.15	-12.69	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	14.32	13.97	-.35	-2.505	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	9.30	8.47	-.83	-9.799	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	28.63	24.51	-4.12	-16.80	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.452	.52	+.068	+15.04	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	12.82	11.04	-1.78	-16.12	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 433.98	Current 407.62	Change -26.36/-6.466%	Avg Stock -1.73%***	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.
*** Starting 6/11/10: In order to arrive at a truer stock gain/loss percentage, stocks with the highest percentage gain and worst drop are eliminated from the average.
NOTE: All above stocks have market capitalization of $100M+ except Westinghouse Solar (formerly Akeena), Amtel Systems
and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval of any stock listed. Comments are always welcome.

Nov 1-5: Dow, NASDAQ, Solar Fly

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:47:00 +0000

Election week good for markets

Trading on Wall Street got a boost from Tuesday's election, it seems, as the coming GOP House bodes well for America's corporatocracy. Both the Dow and NASDAQ gained nearly 3% to finish today at 11444 and 2579 respectively. The 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) followed suit with a 20-point gain to finish Friday at nearly 434, almost 5% up from last week.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Nov 1-5, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11118.49	11444.08	+325.59	+2.93%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2507.41	2578.98	+71.57	+2.81	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	16.74	18.27	+1.53	+9.139	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.35	12.98	+.63	+5.101	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	13.97	15.85	+1.88	+13.45	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.52	4.46	-.06	-1.345	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.09	.10	+.01	+11.11	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.93	.934	+.004	+.4301	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	137.68	138.83	+1.15	+.8352	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.23	8.84	+.59	+7.411	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	8.33	9.43	+1.10	+13.20	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	99.73	105.36	+5.63	+5.645	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	11.37	13.19	+1.82	+16.00	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	12.56	12.73	+,17	+1.353	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	11.97	12.96	+.99	+8.270	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	4.03	4.31	+.28	+6.947	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	10.28	10.21	+.07	+.6856	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	13.60	14.32	+.72	+5.294	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.49	9.30	+.81	+9.540	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	26.29	28.63	+2.34	+8.900	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.50	.452	-.048	-10.62	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	11.66	12.82	+1.16	+9.948	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 413.75	Current 433.98	Change +20.23/+4.89%	Avg Stock +6.43%***	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.
*** Starting 6/11/10: In order to arrive at a truer stock gain/loss percentage, stocks with the highest percentage gain and worst drop are eliminated from the average.
NOTE: All above stocks have market capitalization of $100M+ except Westinghouse Solar (formerly Akeena), Amtel Systems and Entech Solar. This listing is strictly informational and implies neither endorsement or disapproval of any stock listed. Comments are always welcome.

Oct 25-29: Dow, Solar Down; NASDAQ Up

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:05:00 +0000

Good month for all indexes

The Dow Jones Industrial Average this week fell slightly for the first time since the week ending Oct 1. However, for the entire month the Dow gained 3.06%. Tech stock heavy NASDAQ ended up again, finishing 28 points ahead of last Friday to 2507. Issues in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) dropped a second straight week to 413.75, off 12 points.

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

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11132.56	11118.49	-14.07	-.1265%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2479.39	2507.41	+28.02	+1.130	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	17.35	16.74	-.61	-3.643	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.12	12.35	+.23	+1.897	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	14.52	13.97	-.55	-3.937	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.68	4.52	-.16	-3.539	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.10	.09	-.01	-11.11	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.971	.93	-.041	-4.408	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	145.55	137.68	-7.87	-5.716	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.40	8.23	-.17	-2.065	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	8.48	8.33	-.15	-1.801	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	104.35	99.73	-4.62	-4.632	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	10.74	11.37	+.62	+5.865	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	13.39	12.56	-.83	-6.608	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	11.08	11.97	+.89	+8.032	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	4.33	4.03	-.30	-7.444	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	10.28	10.21	+.07	+.6856	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	13.43	13.60	+.17	+1.265	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.70	8.49	-.21	-2.473	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	26.22	26.79	+.57	+2.173	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.5399	.50	-.0399	-7.98	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	11.65	11.66	+.01	+.0858	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 426.05	Current 413.75	Change -12.3/-2.972%	Avg Stock -1.2%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Oct 18-22: Dow, NASDAQ Up: Solar Off

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:35:00 +0000

First solar slip in weeks

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained nearly 70 points for the week to end a 11132.56, a gain of .6%. The NASDAQ composite followed suit with a 13 point gain to 2479.39, a .5% rise. Stocks in the 20 Solar Stocks Index fell an average of nearly 5% to 426.05, nearly a 15 point loss since last Friday. It was the third straight week of gains for most major indexes.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of October 18-22, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11062.78	11132.56	+69.78	+.6307%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2466.77	2479.39	+12.62	+.5116	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	19.45	17.35	-2.10	-12.10	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	12.02	12.12	+.10	+.8319	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	15.48	14.52	-.96	-6.611	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.93	4.68	-.25	-5.341	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.11	.10	-.01	-.10	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.93	.971	+.041	+4.408	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	144.56	145.55	+.99	+.6848	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	9.07	8.40	-.67	-7.976	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	9.11	8.48	-.63	-7.429	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	106.12	104.35	-1.77	-1.696	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	12.12	10.74	-1.38	-12.85	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	13.39	12.56	-.83	-6.608	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	13.03	11.08	-1.95	-17.59	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	4.16	4.33	+.17	+4.086	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	11.07	10.28	-.79	-7.684	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	14.12	13.43	-.69	-5.137	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	9.42	8.70	-.72	-8.275	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	27.87	26.22	-1.65	-6.292	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.551	.5399	-.0111	-2.055	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	13.12	11.65	-1.47	-12.61	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 440.63	Current 426.05	Change -14.58/-3.42%	Avg Stock -4.94%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Oct 11-15: Dow, NASDAQ Up. Solar up over 4%

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:25:00 +0000

Big solar show may have given the boost

Solar Power International 2010 in Los Angeles this week showed a vibrant industry that is still innovating and growing despite the miserable economy. The 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) gained over 17 points to end at 441. Dow and NASDAQ indexes were up, too, as the market seems comfortable over 11000 and looking for more.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of October 11-15, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	11006.48	11062.78TD>	+56.3	+.5115%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2401.91	2466.77	+65.14	+2.700	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	18.05	19.45	+1.40	+7.756	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	11.82	12.02	+.20	+1.692	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	15.49	15.48	-.01	-.0645	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.62	4.93	+.31	+6.710	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.11	.11	NC	0	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.6938	.93	+.2362	+34.04	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	137.62	144.56	+6.92	+5.042	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.34	9.07	+.53	+8.752	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	9.10	9.11	+.01	+.1098	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	101.18	106.12	+4.94	+4.882	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	9.80	12.12	+2.32	+23.67	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	13.09	13.39	+.30	+2.291	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	13.10	13.03	-.07	-.5372	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.74	4.16	+.32	+11.23	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	11.63	11.07	+.98	+8.612	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	13.81	14.12	+.31	+2.244	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	9.05	9.42	+.38	+4.088	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	28.53	27.87	+.66	+2.368	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.56	.551	-.009	-1.633	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	12.77	13.12	+.35	+2.740	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 423.10	Current 440.63	Change +17.53/+4.143%	Avg Stock +4.96%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Oct 4-8: Dow, NASDAQ Up; Solar Slips Slightly

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 02:46:00 +0000

Solar Dips After 5 Straight Positive Weeks

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of October 4-8, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	10829.58	11006.48	+176.9	+1.633%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2370.75	2401.91	+31.16	+1.314	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	17.87	18.05	+.18	+1.074	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	11.71	11.82	+.11	+.9393	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	15.84	15.49	-.35	-2.259	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	5.08	4.62	-.40	-.1250	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.10	.11	+.01	+10.00	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.745	.6938	-.051	-7.38	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	147.23	137.62	-9.61	-6.982	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.32	8.34	+.02	+.2403	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	8.68	9.10	+.42	+4.838	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	95.82	101.18	+5.36	+5.593	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	10.15	9.80	-.35	-3.571	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.96	13.09	+1.13	+9.448	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	12.35	13.10	+.75	+6.072	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.68	3.74	+.06	+1.630	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	12.61	11.63	+.98	+8.612	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	14.06	13.81	-.25	-1.810	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	9.25	9.05	-.20	-2.209	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	29.41	28.53	-.88	-3.084	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.6091	.56	-.0491	-8.767	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	13.43	12.77	-.66	-5.168	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 428.90	Current 423.10	Change -5.80/-1.370%	Avg Stock +.39%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Sep 27-Oct 1: Dow, NASDAQ Slip; Solar Up 5th Week

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:54:00 +0000

Good month for solar...

Stocks in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) rose a fifth straight week, beating all other major market indexes. The 20SSI was up over 10 points to end Friday at 428.9, a 2.5% rise. The Dow slipped 31 points to end at 10829.58, nearly a .3% drop. The NASDAQ dropped over 10 points to 2370.75, a .4% loss.

Seventeen of the 20SSI issues gained an average of 4.8% in value. The biggest winners were Canadian Solar, Evergreen Solar and LDK Solar.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of Sep 27-Oct 1, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	10860.26	10829.58	-30.68	-.2832%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2381.22	2370.75	-10.47	-.4416	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	17.68	17.87	+.19	+1.074	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	11.63	11.71	+.08	+.6878	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	12.98	15.84	+2.86	-22.03	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.75	5.08	+.33	+6.947	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.10	.10	NC	0	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.618	.745	+.127	+20.05	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	147.09	147.23	+.14	+.0951	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	8.01	8.32	+.31	+3.870	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	8.31	8.68	+.37	+4.452	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	95.43	95.82	+.39	+.4086	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	8.85	10.15	+1.30	+14.68	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.79	11.96	+.17	+1.441	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	11.87	12.35	+.48	+4.043	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.37	3.68	+.31	+9.198	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	12.09	12.61	+.52	+4.301	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	13.94	14.06	+.12	+.8608	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	9.50	9,25	-.25	-2.702	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	27.65	29.41	+1.76	+6.365	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.6399	.6091	-3.080	-5.056	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	12.15	13.43	+1.28	+10.53	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 418.46	Current 428.90	Change +10.44/+2.494%	Avg Stock +4.8%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Sep 20-24: Dow, NASDAQ, Solar Up Up Up

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:58:00 +0000

Solar jumps 3.6% for week

Signs of stabilization in durable goods manufacturing and housing bolstered investor appetite for risk as U.S. stock rose for a fourth consecutive week--the longest positive stretch since last April, according to the MarketWatch weekly review.

The Dow gained 252 points up to finish at 10860, a 2.4% rise since Friday. The NASDAQ was up nearly 66 to end at 2381, a 2.8% gain. The 20 Solar Stock Index (20SSI) gained nearly 15 points to 418, a 3.6% gain for the week. All but Canadian Solar and Westinghouse Solar were up with Amtel Systems and SunPower the biggest winners.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of September 6-10, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	10607.85	10860.26	+252.41	+2.379%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2315.61	2381.22	+65.91	+2.833	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	15.22	17.68	+2.46	+16.16	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	11.02	11.63	+.61	+5.535	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	13.03	12.98	-.05	-.3852	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.66	4.75	+.09	+1.931	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.10	.1150	+.0150	+15.00	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.60	.618	+.018	+3.000	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	144.88	147.09	+1.525	+2.070	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	7.82	8.01	+.19	+2.429	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	7.3225	8.31	+.99	+13.52	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	94.90	95.43	+.53	+.5584	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	8.02	8.85	+.83	+10.35	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	11.31	11.79	+.48	+4.244	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	10.28	11.87	+1.59	+15.46	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.17	3.37	+.20	+6.309	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	11.53	12.09	+.56	+4.856	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	12.03	13.94	1.91	+15.87	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.91	9.50	+.59	+6.621	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	26.81	27.65	+.84	+3.133	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.70	.6399	-.06	-9.392	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	11.39	12.15	+.76	+6.672	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 403.70	Current 418.46	Change +14.76/+3.656%	Avg Stock +7%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**

Sep 13-17: Dow, NASDAQ, Solar Shine Again

noreply@blogger.com (David Brands) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 04:01:00 +0000

Solar index breaks 400 first time since April 30

Stocks in the 20 Solar Stocks Index (20SSI) broke the 400 mark for the first time in over four months. The 20SSI finished Friday up over 11 points for the week at 403.7, nearly a 3% gain. The Dow also gained 145 to end at 10608, a gain of 1.4%. The NASDAQ showed the third straight week of gains, rising 73 points to finish the week at 2316, a 3.3% jump. In general, the tech-heavy NASDAQ index along with the 20SSI fared better than all other major indexes.

20 Solar Stocks Index Week of September 6-10, 2010

	Monday Open	Friday Close	Up/Down	% Change	Close 1/5/09*	Close 3/6/09**
Dow Jones DJIA	10462.77	10607.85	+145.08	+1.386%	8952.89	6626.95
NASDAQ	2242.48	2315.61	+73.13	+3.261	1628.03	1293.85

Amtel Systems ASYS	14.93	15.22	+.29	+1.942	4.00	2.73
Applied Materials AMAT	10.68	11.02	+.34	+3.183	10.67	8.70
Canadian Solar CSIQ	12.44	13.03	+.59	+4.742	7.00	3.0601
ECD (UniSolar) ENER	4.90	4.66	-.24	-5.150	29.33	17.45
Entech Solar ENSL.OB	.0850	.10	+.0150	+11.76	.28	.23
Evergreen Solar ESLR	.6306	.60	-.0306	-.0510	3.60	1.03
First Solar FSLR	138.41	144.88	+6.47	+4.674	157.80	108.49
GT Solar Int. SOLR	7.28	7.82	+.54	+7.417	4.00	4.02
JA Solar JASO	7.27	7.3225	+.0525	+.7221	5.09	1.91
Kyocera KYO	91.53	94.90	+3.37	+3.681	71.87	54.21
LDK Solar LDK	7.95	8.02	+.07	+.8805	14.84	4.40
MEMC Elect. WFR	10.68	11.31	+.63	+5.898	15.76	13.68
Renesola SOL	9.43	10.28	+.85	+9.013	5.15	2.1201
Satcon SATC	3.40	3.17	-.23	-7.255	1.60	1.23
SolarFun SOLF	11.50	11.53	+.03	+.2608	6.12	2.30
SunPower SPWRA	12.09	12.03	-.06	-.4987	45.13	23.39
SunTech STP	8.97	8.91	-.06	-.6734	13.55	5.34
Trina Solar TSL	27.55	26.81	-.74	-2.760	10.09	7.23
Westinghouse Solar (Akeena) WEST	.74	.70	-.04	-5.714	2.28	.61
Yingli YGE	11.88	11.39	-.49	-4.302	7.25	3.888
20SSI Weekly Cumulative:	Previous 392.35	Current 403.70	Change +11.35/+2.892%	Avg Stock +1.12%***	1/05/09* 415.41	3/06/09 266.01**