Solar energy shines at CleanTech conference
By Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch
Last Update: 12:31 PM ET May 3, 2007
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Solar energy emerged as the front-runner among a bevy of alternative-power segments, measured by ability to deliver immediate commercial benefits to Wall Street, according to analysts running the Jefferies CleanTech Conference.
"Solar-energy firms ... provide the nearest-term viable market opportunity without any incentives," Jefferies analyst Jeff Bencik said the day after some 45 companies from the space made presentations to Wall Street investors. See full story.
In a note to clients, Bencik said solar demand remains strong, with silicon supplies remaining tight for the foreseeable future, even as companies develop thin-film solar technologies.
Disclosures by MEMC Technology, (WFR : MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc
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WFR58.59, +1.31, +2.3%) REC Group and Sunpower (SPWR : sunpower corp com cl a
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SPWR56.56, -0.43, -0.8%) indicated that the silicon shortage could persist past 2010 depending on the passage of new incentive programs currently in Congress.
Bencik reiterated his buy recommendations for MEMC and REC Group and said Suntech (STP : suntech pwr hldgs co ltd adr
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STP37.27, -0.02, -0.1%) "is poised to benefit from efficiency improvements and lower silicon costs as the company increases its purchases of silicon on a contract basis."
Growth in wind energy is expected to continue, with interest also building behind advanced batteries, biofuels, and fuel-cell technology that uses energy from natural gas.
Steve Gelsi is a reporter for MarketWatch in New York. |
