Invest in Cleantech

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

First Solar and SolarCity Announce 100MW Module Supply Agreement to Serve U.S. Residential Segment

First Solar and SolarCity Announce 100MW Module Supply Agreement to Serve U.S. Residential Segment

Companies sign 5-year 100MW module supply agreement
First Solar invests $25 million in SolarCity

TEMPE, Ariz. & FOSTER CITY, Calif.--Oct 29--First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) and SolarCity Corporation today announced a module supply agreement and investment that will make solar power an affordable option for more U.S. homeowners and businesses. The two companies have entered into a five-year agreement that calls for First Solar to supply 100 megawatts of its advanced thin film solar modules to SolarCity, marking First Solar’s entrance into the U.S. residential segment. Pursuant to the agreement, First Solar will begin delivering modules to SolarCity in the first quarter of 2009. First Solar will also make a $25 million equity investment in SolarCity; part of a $30 million round of financing that will fund SolarCity’s continued U.S. expansion.

SolarCity, one of the nation’s leading residential solar installers, currently serves California, Arizona, and Oregon with plans to expand into additional states. SolarCity’s innovative SolarLease™ financing option allows homeowners to switch to solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity from their power company, without the need for a large upfront investment.

With years of high volume production and system performance monitoring, First Solar has demonstrated proven efficiencies leading to high energy yields, low production costs and predictable energy performance. First Solar’s industry-leading modules make it possible for SolarCity to serve residential and small commercial markets where solar was not previously an affordable option.

“The combination of First Solar’s modules with SolarCity’s innovative approach to designing, financing and maintaining complete solar solutions enables homeowners and small business owners to lower their electricity costs while reducing air pollution and the effects of global warming,” said Mike Ahearn, First Solar’s chief executive officer.

“Our relationship with First Solar will enable us to deliver affordable solar power to a wider market of residential and small commercial customers,” said Lyndon Rive, chief executive officer of SolarCity. “We believe that together, SolarCity and First Solar are uniquely capable of making solar power competitive with the cost of electricity generated from fossil fuels across the U.S.,—making solar a mainstream source of electricity in the next several years.”

About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV solutions that significantly reduce solar electricity costs. By enabling clean, renewable electricity at competitive prices, First Solar provides an economic and environmentally responsible alternative to existing peaking fossil-fuel electric generation. First Solar PV power plants operate with no water, air emissions or waste stream. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing the industry's first comprehensive collection and recycling program for solar modules. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment. For more information, please visit www.firstsolar.com.

About SolarCity
SolarCity®—a national leader in residential and small commercial solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services—was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt solar power, protect themselves from rising electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company’s first-of-its-kind SolarLease offering makes it possible for homeowners to switch to clean, solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity currently serves more than 300 communities in California, Arizona and Oregon. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.


Contacts First SolarPaula Vaughnn, 602-414-9361pvaughnn@firstsolar.comorSolarCityJonathan Bass, 650-963-5156jbass@solarcity.com

Be the “News Story of the Day” in Renewable Energy, Water and Cleantech

Be the “News Story of the Day” in Renewable Energy, Water and Cleantech

Be the Sector News of the Day, Investorideas.com Story of the Day or Audio News of the Day


POINT ROBERTS, WA – Investorideas.com, a leading global investor and industry research resource reports the InvestorIdeas.com newswire has upgrades to the Investorideas.com Newswire for companies to gain market exposure on a day- to- day basis. With markets and investor sentiment changing daily Investorideas.com new service creates an online venue targeted to global investors for Story of the day, Sector News of the Day and Audio of the day in over 30 sectors from renewable energy, water and cleantech .

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About InvestorIdeas.com: "One of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, greentech and water sectors." InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, Middle East and Australia.
Become an Investorideas.com Member
With markets and investor sentiment changing daily- it is more important than ever to stay on top of key trends! Gain Exclusive Insight on Leading Sectors, Global Trends, and Insider Trading Ideas, News, Articles and Investor Ideas Members only Restricted Content including the complete renewable energy stocks directory.
Become an InvestorIdeas.com -Learn more: - click here http://www.investorideas.com/membership/
Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising.
For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant: 800-665-0411 - dvanzant@investorideas.com

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Solar Stocks Investor Podcast; Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) Discusses Amorphous Thin Film, the “Thinnest of the Thin Films”

Solar Stocks Investor Podcast; Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) Discusses Amorphous Thin Film, the “Thinnest of the Thin Films”

Mr. Djokovich comments on the long term vision for renewable energy – “Once the financial markets calm down there will be a reinvigorated movement of money into the space”



POINT ROBERTS, WA - October 28, 2008 -- Investorideas.com and its leading green investor portal, RenewableEnergyStocks.com, presents a solar stocks podcast with Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX). XsunX is executing a phased plan to build and install its amorphous silicon thin film solar module manufacturing facility.

Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX, discusses his return from the Solar Power International 2008 Conference and Trade Show in San Diego and the feedback and industry insight into the solar sector, and in particular thin film.

Mr. Djokovich reports on the thin film pricing advantage in the market place and if this is a tangible reality or hearsay. “Yes, thin films really do have a pricing advantage in the marketplace. The bottom line is you are starting with lower material costs and more automation, and of the thin films, amorphous is the thinnest. The lower manufacturing cost per watt translates into the ability to sell at a lower cost into the marketplace.”

Mr. Djokovich also discusses XsunX’s costs per watt once the manufacturing facility is up and running. “We see ourselves initially coming in at approximately the $1.30 range at only 58% factory utilization, and we think we can drive our numbers down to $1.00 per watt once we improve factory utilization to 80% or better. After that we will work on reducing the back end packaging costs further. At or near $1.00 per watt will make us extremely competitive in the marketplace.”

Mr. Djokovich also comments on the long term vision for renewable energy,” Once the financial markets calm down there will be a reinvigorated movement of money into the space. The industry is not just poised for growth- it is continuing to grow and right now it is being overshadowed by market conditions. The bottom line in the back room is the industry is growing very well.”

To hear the full audio interview click here:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.investorideas.com/podcasts/2008/102708a.mp3

Featured Showcase Solar Company XsunX (OTCBB: XSNX): Based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., XsunX is developing amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell manufacturing processes to produce TFPV solar modules. To deliver its products the Company has begun to build a multi- megawatt TFPV solar module production facility in the United States to meet the growing demand for solar cell products used in large scale commercial projects, utility power fields, and other on-grid applications. Employing a phased roll out of production capacity, it plans to grow manufacturing capacities to over 100 megawatts by 2010. More info on XsunX, Inc. can be found on our media profile at: http://www.investorideas.com/co/xsnx/default.asp or http://www.xsunx.com/

About Our Green Investor Portals:
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com® is one of several green investor portals within Investorideas.com and provides investors with stock news, exclusive articles and financial columnists, audio interviews, investor conferences and a directory of stocks within the renewable energy sector.

About InvestorIdeas.com:
"One of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, greentech and water sectors." InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, Middle East and Australia.

Become an Investorideas.com Member
With markets and investor sentiment changing daily- it is more important than ever to stay on top of key trends! Gain Exclusive Insight on Leading Sectors, Global Trends, and Insider Trading Ideas, News, Articles and Investor Ideas Members only Restricted Content.
Become an InvestorIdeas.com -Learn more: - click here http://www.investorideas.com/membership/

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. XsunX compensate the website $5000 per month.
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
* All interview content is based on previously disclosed public information in SEC filings and press releases.

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com
Source: InvestorIdeas.com, RenewableEnergyStocks.com, XsunX

Monday, October 27, 2008

Solar Stocks Plunge with Market but Ray of Hope Ahead

Solar Stocks Plunge with Market but Ray of Hope Ahead
By Peter LynchExclusively for InvestorIdeas.com

October 27, 2008
Since 2005 Solar stocks have been the “hottest” sector in the stock market, however, with an average Beta close to 2, the volatility of the solar sector has been simply breathtaking.Unfortunately Beta and volatility works in BOTH directions and as you can see from the table below solar stocks have been down an average of 61% SINCE September 1 2008.

The popular indexes have been down approximately 31%. In essence, it has been a TERRIBLE time for the market as a whole and a WORSE time for the solar sector.

Symbol Name Performance % AKNS Akeena Solar, Inc. -44.2 ASTI Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. -56.9 CSIQ Canadian Solar Inc. -74.4 CSUN China Sunergy Company Ltd. -69.1 DSTI DayStar Technologies Inc. -44.9 EMKR EMCORE Corporation -38.6 ENER Energy Conversion Devices Inc -59.4 ESLR Evergreen Solar, Inc. -72.6 FSLR First Solar, Inc. -56.4 JASO JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd -78.9 LDK LDK Solar Company Ltd. -69.5 RSOL Real Goods Solar, Inc. -49.8 SOL ReneSola, Ltd. (United Kingdom) ADR -73.9 SOLF Solarfun Power Holdings Co. -68.9 SOLR GT Solar International Inc -65.4 SPIR Spire Corporation -21.4 SPWRA Sunpower Corporation -59.2 STP Suntech Power Holdings (China) ADR -69.4 TSL Trina Solar Limited -67.4 WFR MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. -61.8 YGE Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd -80.1 Average Stock: 9/1/08 to 10/24/08 -61.2 Popular Indexes DJIA Dow Jones -27.4 SPX S & P 500 -31.7 NASD Nasdaq -34.4 advertisementAs I said in my last article (10-13-2008) – I think that a stock market bottom is close to being in place. There may be more crazy days and perhaps weeks ahead. But if you look at historical precedence, stocks should be higher 3 to 6 months from now. Especially now, that we are seeing the forbidden word “recession” starting to pop up everywhere. This is usually the classic sign that the market has bottomed and once everyone finally recognizes that the recession is here (I personally think we have been in a recession for 10 to 12 months already), the market will be up 20 to 30% off the bottom.

This is certainly NOT a sure bet, but when panic and fear are this palpable EVERYWHERE it has historically meant that investors have given up and capitulated.If we look at the short history of solar stocks, they too, should be lifted by the market tide and should also move higher further and faster than the general market. They are ALL well oversold and still have a BETA which is roughly TWICE that of the general market.In addition, if Senator Obama wins the Presidency it will be hugely BULLISH for all renewable sectors of the market (PV, wind, biomass, hybrid cars, solar thermal etc .) this victory, plus a turn in the market could add an explosive charge to solar stocks.As I have said many times in the past, I still see a number of serious problems that the industry will face in 2009 and beyond. But I do feel there will be at least one more rally that will enable traders to take significant profits. But once again, I have to warn investors that this is NOT for the faint of heart and only for nimble traders. In addition, because of the current situation in the financial world you want to MAKE SURE to only trade the solar stocks with substantial CASH positions.

I believe that the risks of inaction are so great that governments will have to finally act in concert to create much needed confidence and thereby reverse this crisis of confidence that is the seed of the current panic.Remember the words of the legendary investor Warren Buffet, who has recently said that he is returning to the market with his personal investment dollars:
"We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mr. Lynch has worked, for 31 years as a Wall Street security analyst, an independent security analyst and private investor in small emerging technology companies. He has been actively involved in following developments in the renewable energy sector since 1977 and is regarded as an expert in this field. He was the contributing editor for 17 years to the Photovoltaic Insider Report, the leading publication in PV that was directed at industrial subscribers, such as major energy companies, utilities and governments around the world. He is currently a private investor and has from time to time been a financial/technology consultant to a number of companies. He can be reached via e-mail at: SOLARJPL@aol.com.

About InvestorIdeas.com:
"One of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, greentech and water sectors." InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, Middle East and Australia.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Solar Stocks Investor Podcast with Tom Djokovich, CEO of Thin Film Solar Company, XsunX Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX)

Solar Stocks Investor Podcast with Tom Djokovich, CEO of Thin Film Solar Company, XsunX Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX)

“We envision thin film literally usurping the market share that silicon wafer technologies currently enjoy”


POINT ROBERTS, WA -October 15, 2008 -- Investorideas.com and its leading green investor portal, RenewableEnergyStocks.com, presents a solar podcast with Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX). XsunX, Inc is a solar technology Company engaged in the build-out of its multi-megawatt thin film photovoltaic solar manufacturing facilities.

Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX, discusses recent successes and milestones for his thin film company as well as recent industry developments including the recent passage of the solar ITC legislation.

In the interview, Tom provides background on the events and steps leading to the recent news that the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) recognized XsunX as a Business Development Success Story in an award presented to the City of Wood Village, Oregon.

Tom also gives investors insight into thin film solar technology and its benefits, features and the feedback from the purchasing community. He also comments on a recent report where Sharp states they expect thin-film solar cells to account for about 40 percent of an estimated global solar demand of 16 gigawatts by 2012.

“In real world conditions - thin film tends to out-perform silicon wafer technologies in most environments. Thin films are less expensive to manufacture so you can sell them for less per watt- that’s benefit number one. Benefit number two is the consumer that acquires that watt gets more annual production for each watt they purchase”, he reports.

“At the trade shows we have been attending recently in Europe, the feedback from the Power Purchase Associations and large commercial application consumers is - they are prepared to pay a premium for thin films. They now realize the value of them but the issue is that there is very little thin film available in the market. As more of it becomes available in market space, what we envision is thin film literally usurping the market share that silicon wafer technologies currently enjoy. “

XsunX Inc is attending the upcoming San Diego Solar Power Show and will follow up with Investorideas.com in an audio interview upon return.

To hear the full audio interview click here:
http://static.investorideas.com.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/2008/101408a.mp3


Featured Showcase Solar Company XsunX (OTCBB: XSNX): Based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., XsunX is developing amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell manufacturing processes to produce TFPV solar modules. To deliver its products the Company has begun to build a multi- megawatt TFPV solar module production facility in the United States to meet the growing demand for solar cell products used in large scale commercial projects, utility power fields, and other on-grid applications. Employing a phased roll out of production capacity, it plans to grow manufacturing capacities to over 100 megawatts by 2010. More info on XsunX, Inc. can be found on our media profile at: http://www.investorideas.com/co/xsnx/default.asp or http://www.xsunx.com/

About Our Green Investor Portals:
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com® is one of several green investor portals within Investorideas.com and provides investors with stock news, exclusive articles and financial columnists, audio interviews, investor conferences and a directory of stocks within the renewable energy sector.

About InvestorIdeas.com:
"One of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, greentech and water sectors." InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, Middle East and Australia.

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. XsunX compensate the website $5000 per month.
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
* All interview content is based on previously disclosed public information in SEC filings and press releases.


For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com
Source: InvestorIdeas.com, RenewableEnergyStocks.com, XsunX

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

“Water stocks are not recession proof but are recession resistant”

Investorideas.com Water Stocks Podcast; Bill Brennan Discusses the Performance of the Kinetics Water Infrastructure Fund, Global Water Industry Trends and Investing Trends

“Water stocks are not recession proof but are recession resistant”



POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC –October 7, 2008- Investorideas.com and its Water-stocks.com Podcast series “Investing in Water” present an in-depth interview with Mr. Bill Brennan, President & Managing Partner of Aqua Terra Asset Management and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Praetor Global Water Fund. Mr. Brennan discusses the performance of the Kinetics Water Infrastructure Fund and global trends specific to the sector including water re-use and reclamation.

According to Mr. Brennan the Kinetics Water Infrastructure Fund, launched in June 2007, focuses on water infrastructure both globally and in the US. The fund is about 65% invested in companies that are domiciled outside of the US.

Mr. Brennan reports, ”“What we try to do is invest in the areas where infrastructure spending is accelerating. We have seen it go from about $250 -260 Billion 5 years ago to $520 Billion moving to a Trillion dollars in the next 4-5 years on an annual basis. We invest in companies that have a 30-40% exposure to water infrastructure and growing.

So you won’t see us involved in areas that are not water company related. We won’t be in the GE’s and the Siemens of the world, because even though they are big players in water and water infrastructure, their revenue does not move the needle enough from a contribution standpoint to make it into our universe. We have to watch those companies because they are actively involved in acquisitions and they have become the leaders in technology. We focus on the small and mid-cap companies that are really going to benefit from the increase in spending globally.”

In discussing the fund performance Mr. Brennan tells us, “The fund continues to out-perform the broader market by about 800-900 basis points in regard to the S&P and we also outperform the water ETF’s on an absolute performance basis.”
“Water stocks are not recession proof but are recession resistant”, he notes. “People have to take a look at necessities- where they spend. Water is a necessity along with power and waste management.”

To listen to the full interview: http://static.investorideas.com.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/2008/100608a.mp3

To hear previous audios from other water experts: http://www.investorideas.com/ws/
Investing in Water Podcast RSS Feed: http://www.investorideas.com/Podcasts/water.xml

www.Water-Stocks.com, a portal within the InvestorIdeas.com content umbrella, offers investors research tools, news, Blogs, online conferences, Podcasts , interviews and a directory of public companies within the water sector .The water-stocks content hub has created a global marketplace and meeting place for investors, public companies, industry buyers and sellers of water technology, services and water assets.

About InvestorIdeas.com:

"One of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, greentech and water sectors." InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, Middle East and Australia.

Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. Disclosure:
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

For More Information Contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800-665-0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com

Web Site: www.InvestorIdeas.com

Source: Water-Stocks.com