OT re solars:
A year ago, I had FSLR on my buy-list, along with 3 c-Si chinese companies (TSL, YGE, JKS). Since then, c-Si has been able to radically reduce manufacturing costs, at a rate much greater than FSLR's thin film technology has done. In addition, FSLR has had delays with Systems that were supposed to already be approved and funded, but are now in doubt due to idiotic political/bureaucratic/regulatory reasons. I haven't sold my FSLR shares, but I haven't added any either, even with prices much lower. I have added to TSL and YGE positions. If FSLR continues to lag the c-Si players in cost reduction, I will probably sell my FSLR shares at a loss at some point.
The price wars in solar, caused by overcapacity, are continuing. Demand continues to set new records every year, but supply has increased even faster. Not even the most efficient companies are making money. The less efficient are going bankrupt. This will continue until the government-controlled banks in China stop giving credit to Chinese solar companies. When that happens is anyone's guess.
I haven't been posting much, but when I do, I post and read on the alt-energy board, my thoughts on solars. |
