I have researched many solar companies to weed out trendy versus concepts and action plans to be "long" on. I bought First Solar before it "broke out" and own Trina Solar as well. My ultimate favorite is ICP Solar Technologies (ICPR) as they are not "riding the wave" and demonstrate their open mindedness to all forms and all uses for multi-typed solar technology.
FSLR is a Walton Family start up and will likely change their minds again and try to become an industrial power company. Watch them for a big contract to be selected by Walmart as their designer, planner and installer for Walmart's previously announced intention to "go green."
Buy Trina Solar (TSL) on dips, but they are well positioned to be the major player in China. They have guaranteed supplies and good earnings (very good) with a quite reasonable P/E (which is an old fashioned way to evaluate potential). Their raw materials are in place for a surge and already under purchase contract well before any shortage was predicted. They could make money if they simply sold their guaranteed surlpus of raw materials.
The other plays with big names are truly "plays" and I would be happy to reply to inquiries in this blog to explain my rationale. I don't feel comfortable with SPWR, YGE, JASO and others.
NOW FOR MY PICK OF THE NEXT DECADE........ICP Solar Technologies (ICPR) and I liken this company more to Google than anyone else in that their strategy is driven by multiple markets and their products are created by need and in response to true demand. They are household, toys, industrial, linking with great name brands and improving quality of brands, improving quality of life (home and travel products are awesome)........they use multiple solar applications and sources and give the people what they want.
ICPR is well positioned to explode in growth and they are extremely open to ideas for products. I PREDICT they will be the FIRST SOLAR COMPANY with a STOREFRONT so solar energy and applications are "demystified" and available to the consumer in a wide array of uses, including "the SOLAR HOME IMPROVEMENT" store.
MOST OF ALL, ICPR is well positioned to GIVE THE DREAM OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY FARM BACK TO THE FAMILY FARMERS OPEN TO SIMPLE IMPROVEMENTS TO CUT COSTS AND RETURN SELF SUFFICIENCY, which is how I ran across them to begin with. They will work with you to end reliance on electric co-ops, battery costs (huge), and remote electrical supply for fencing, feeders, wells, pond aeration, etc., and can work in tandem with wind if you know just enough to underatnd the storage concept. I already built this idea for myself and now have a solar addition to the windmill to maintain just a cattle tank, but their is SO MUCH MORE.
Go to their website, open your mind to the possibilties (for instance the boat wind turbines should be in every house in every neighborhood, NOT just boats).
I'm a researcher and developer. ICPR technology will run my ranch, my restoration of a "American Main Street" historic building (and the grant program will pay for it), and several other old building owners want to "go green" as well. On top of all that, you can reduce electrical costs to your home or businesses and presumably, our "focussed and forward thinking legislators" will be persuaded BY US to provide tax credits for these simple home improvements because WE are lowering our own dependence on oil, so tax credits should go to the households and NOT big companies!!!! YOU AND I MUST WRITE THE LETTERS . Think for moment, the country that has the most energy throughout history has always been the most prosperous.
ME, I want to have a ICPR store , just so that this whole "solar wave" can be "de-cloaked" and regular folks can find products that actually help people afford to stay in their homes instead of selling due to high electrical prices. The great news is ICPR wants that open "value creation" known as well. When did you last see a "STORE" for every possibility for usage of solar products??? ICPR will take your need and build it for you. While all the others are "trendy or simply playing a stock game" this company is here to stay .
The price of the stock is WAY TOO LOW, but I can wait. The value will soon be demonstrated. They invite every solar technology for consideration of each individual need, so whether it be "panel, thin film or any of the multiple raw material based arrays", they have you covered. If they don't, ask and you will get an honest answer.
FINALLY, a REAL SOLAR COMPANY that will soon be a household name, ICP Solar Technologies is the one you've waited for (and me too!!!).
As for the stock, it is an OVER WEIGHT" and it would not surprise me to see ICPR at $6.00 a share in 3 months and in 1-3 years at most, I think we have a Solar Google.......and ICPR is poised to run up to $200.00+ in a short time.
Good Buys!!! Remember, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.