Investing in Solar Powers Next Advancements
Solar power is well past the prove it stage. The next step in its evolution is bringing its cost down to where its comparable to gas and coal energy prices. To do that, the technology and equipment has to improve in addition to becoming for functional in a real-world environment. Thats good news for smallcap investors, as many of the companies making those advancements are publicly-traded.
Below youll find brief descriptions of solar energys next technological leaps, and some stocks of the companies making them happen. They may prove to be outstanding investments.
Taking the Panel Out of Solar Panel
Do you hink a solar panel is a large, flat piece of equipment that you have to securely mount? Thats what they are now, but a new development may change the definition of solar panel in the future. In tests, the photovoltaic materials used in a traditional solar cell have also successfully been painted onto a solid structure, and then successfully converted solar power into electricity. Mounting a panel may not be necessary if the paint can be made to work well enough.
Though no publicly-traded stock can be purchased as a way of investing in this paint, dont assume thats a permanent problem. When corporations see that the technology is viable, theyll likely adopt and begin marketing it.
Flexible Thin Film Solar Panels
Somewhere between paint-on solar panels and the typical photovoltaic solar panel, youll find what are called thin film solar panels. Theyre paper thin, light, and flexible. As such, theyre usually easier to mount than most other panels. These can even be rolled into ribbon strands, for even greater functionality.
First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) is one of the companies leading the thin-film effort. The companys cadmium telluride panels cost less than $1.00 per watt to make, which is approaching comparability with photovoltaic cells.
However, First Solar isnt the only thin-film player. A smallcap company called XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) may actually be able to top First Solars per-watt price with their own ASI-120 (amorphous silicon) solar module. These solar modules are a hybrid choice between expensive, traditional silicon wafer panels and cheaper but less effective thin-film panels. a happy medium.
Another small stock of interest is Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ: ENER). Its wholly-owned subsidiary Uni-Solar Ovonic manufactures a triple-junction silicon solar cell that is proving to a vast improvement on already0advanced thin film panels.
Building Better Batteries
For solar energy to really be functional, it has to supply power even when the sun isnt shining. but the amount sunshine we receive is one thing we cant improve. The solution to the problem is simple " a battery that stores this electricity. Thats easier said than done though.
Theres an inherent problem with current battery technology though. Most of the batteries capable of handling that kind of power storage are made of solid components, which decompose to the point of uselessness pretty quickly. That may be a mot problem. However, considering these same batteries are also slow to charge, and have a limited lifespan. The answer to the problem is promising liquid-based batteries.
The good news is, its the finest minds at MIT working on the liquid battery. The bad news is, you cant invest in MIT. Thats ok though. Once MIT proves their liquid battery is better, for-profit companies will become interested.
In the meantime, solid battery-maker Valence Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:VLNC) has a product for every imaginable need automotive, industrial, and yes, even storage solutions for power generated by wind and solar sources. Smallcap stocks like EnerSys (NYSE: ENS) and Advanced Battery Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ABAT) may be good bets within the utility battery group as well.
Just to be clear though, there are many, many battery companies. Even if only a few of them choose to dive into the solar power market, investors still stand to do very well with the best of these stocks. The size of the company isnt part of the success equation " its the functionality of the battery.
Bio-Based Backsheets Cheaper Than Petroleum
Even though one of the key goals of solar power is to rid ourselves of dependence on petroleum, theres a bitter irony in the fact that traditional photovoltaic panels actually require petroleum to be manufactured. How? Not in the power cells themselves, but solar panels use petroleum in their protective covering called a backsheet.
The problem? Backsheets are expensive enough as is, but the cost of the back sheet can skyrocket if crude oil prices move upward. The alternative to expensive petroleum-based backsheets is bio-based backsheets. In bio-backsheets, plant materials are used instead of petroleum, which can significantly lower the cost of the entire panel module. Smallcap company BioSolar Inc. (OTCBB: BSRC) is the leader of the bio-backsheet advance.
The bulk of BioSolars previous work was supplying bio-backsheets for common crystalline silicon solar cell panels. However, the newer copper-indium-gallium-selenide and cadmium telluride panels are growing in popularity and may soon be the new standard. Therefore, BioSolar has also begun to develop bio-backsheets for those kinds of solar panels.
Electricity-Generating Windows
The amount of surface area windows comprise " particularly for commercial buildings " is phenomenal. That surface area could be better used if covered with solar cells, but the problem is obvious.covering a window with a solar panel means its no longer a window. Thats could change soon though.
New Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: NENE) is working on the development of a technology that would adapt the glass used in home and office windows. The windows would essentially become panels capable of generating electricity from solar energy without losing significant transparency. How? Thin films of silicon nanoparticles would be joined with the glass, and when ultraviolet light is absorbed it could be converted into electrical current.
Advice to Investors
As enticing as some of these afore-mentioned companies may be, bear in mind its ultimately the technology that will determine their profitability. While these stocks are presently the most interesting, be vigilant about finding the companies that will actually reach the proverbial finish line first. At the same time, remember the best technology is one thing, but profits may be another.
In our experience, the smaller companies and their stocks tend to be better opportunities. These organizations and their management are nimble, and intensely focused (not to mention highly motivated). No matter what though, small or large, dollars are going to flow to some of these companies.
The paradigm shifts in solar powers technology are no small matter, but for serious investors who need details of their commercialization potential, keeping tabs can be tough. Thats why we strongly recommend subscribing to our free newsletter. Well inform you of the industrys advances, and the stocks that can let you tap into that progress. - 23200
Below youll find brief descriptions of solar energys next technological leaps, and some stocks of the companies making them happen. They may prove to be outstanding investments.
Taking the Panel Out of Solar Panel
Do you hink a solar panel is a large, flat piece of equipment that you have to securely mount? Thats what they are now, but a new development may change the definition of solar panel in the future. In tests, the photovoltaic materials used in a traditional solar cell have also successfully been painted onto a solid structure, and then successfully converted solar power into electricity. Mounting a panel may not be necessary if the paint can be made to work well enough.
Though no publicly-traded stock can be purchased as a way of investing in this paint, dont assume thats a permanent problem. When corporations see that the technology is viable, theyll likely adopt and begin marketing it.
Flexible Thin Film Solar Panels
Somewhere between paint-on solar panels and the typical photovoltaic solar panel, youll find what are called thin film solar panels. Theyre paper thin, light, and flexible. As such, theyre usually easier to mount than most other panels. These can even be rolled into ribbon strands, for even greater functionality.
First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) is one of the companies leading the thin-film effort. The companys cadmium telluride panels cost less than $1.00 per watt to make, which is approaching comparability with photovoltaic cells.
However, First Solar isnt the only thin-film player. A smallcap company called XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) may actually be able to top First Solars per-watt price with their own ASI-120 (amorphous silicon) solar module. These solar modules are a hybrid choice between expensive, traditional silicon wafer panels and cheaper but less effective thin-film panels. a happy medium.
Another small stock of interest is Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ: ENER). Its wholly-owned subsidiary Uni-Solar Ovonic manufactures a triple-junction silicon solar cell that is proving to a vast improvement on already0advanced thin film panels.
Building Better Batteries
For solar energy to really be functional, it has to supply power even when the sun isnt shining. but the amount sunshine we receive is one thing we cant improve. The solution to the problem is simple " a battery that stores this electricity. Thats easier said than done though.
Theres an inherent problem with current battery technology though. Most of the batteries capable of handling that kind of power storage are made of solid components, which decompose to the point of uselessness pretty quickly. That may be a mot problem. However, considering these same batteries are also slow to charge, and have a limited lifespan. The answer to the problem is promising liquid-based batteries.
The good news is, its the finest minds at MIT working on the liquid battery. The bad news is, you cant invest in MIT. Thats ok though. Once MIT proves their liquid battery is better, for-profit companies will become interested.
In the meantime, solid battery-maker Valence Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:VLNC) has a product for every imaginable need automotive, industrial, and yes, even storage solutions for power generated by wind and solar sources. Smallcap stocks like EnerSys (NYSE: ENS) and Advanced Battery Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ABAT) may be good bets within the utility battery group as well.
Just to be clear though, there are many, many battery companies. Even if only a few of them choose to dive into the solar power market, investors still stand to do very well with the best of these stocks. The size of the company isnt part of the success equation " its the functionality of the battery.
Bio-Based Backsheets Cheaper Than Petroleum
Even though one of the key goals of solar power is to rid ourselves of dependence on petroleum, theres a bitter irony in the fact that traditional photovoltaic panels actually require petroleum to be manufactured. How? Not in the power cells themselves, but solar panels use petroleum in their protective covering called a backsheet.
The problem? Backsheets are expensive enough as is, but the cost of the back sheet can skyrocket if crude oil prices move upward. The alternative to expensive petroleum-based backsheets is bio-based backsheets. In bio-backsheets, plant materials are used instead of petroleum, which can significantly lower the cost of the entire panel module. Smallcap company BioSolar Inc. (OTCBB: BSRC) is the leader of the bio-backsheet advance.
The bulk of BioSolars previous work was supplying bio-backsheets for common crystalline silicon solar cell panels. However, the newer copper-indium-gallium-selenide and cadmium telluride panels are growing in popularity and may soon be the new standard. Therefore, BioSolar has also begun to develop bio-backsheets for those kinds of solar panels.
Electricity-Generating Windows
The amount of surface area windows comprise " particularly for commercial buildings " is phenomenal. That surface area could be better used if covered with solar cells, but the problem is obvious.covering a window with a solar panel means its no longer a window. Thats could change soon though.
New Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: NENE) is working on the development of a technology that would adapt the glass used in home and office windows. The windows would essentially become panels capable of generating electricity from solar energy without losing significant transparency. How? Thin films of silicon nanoparticles would be joined with the glass, and when ultraviolet light is absorbed it could be converted into electrical current.
Advice to Investors
As enticing as some of these afore-mentioned companies may be, bear in mind its ultimately the technology that will determine their profitability. While these stocks are presently the most interesting, be vigilant about finding the companies that will actually reach the proverbial finish line first. At the same time, remember the best technology is one thing, but profits may be another.
In our experience, the smaller companies and their stocks tend to be better opportunities. These organizations and their management are nimble, and intensely focused (not to mention highly motivated). No matter what though, small or large, dollars are going to flow to some of these companies.
The paradigm shifts in solar powers technology are no small matter, but for serious investors who need details of their commercialization potential, keeping tabs can be tough. Thats why we strongly recommend subscribing to our free newsletter. Well inform you of the industrys advances, and the stocks that can let you tap into that progress. - 23200
About the Author:
James Brumley has spent the last two years researching alternative energy stocks and has successfully identified sectors and specific stocks in the alternative energy space that may hold tremendous promise. If you have an interest in learning more about alternative energy stocks, the Small Cap Network's free newsletter published by James Brumley is an excellent resource.
posted by X - Men @ 10:19 AM
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