Until the end of 2022, green energy was booming on the stock market. In view of high energy prices, demand for renewable electricity rose sharply and in recent years it has become increasingly competitive. But in 2023, the stocks of many companies specialising in renewable energies came under heavy selling pressure.
Reasons for this included cutbacks in subsidies and rising interest rates, which made new green energy projects, which are often financed with debt, no longer profitable. Solar and photovoltaic stocks were particularly hard hit. Should one avoid this industry, or are there good opportunities for us as investors.
We are looking at the following stocks: Solar Edge, Enphase Energy, Canadian Solar, JinkoSolar and First Solar. These are the most important companies in the photovoltaic industry from our point of view. In this article, we pick out three stocks, namely First Solar, JinkoSolar and Canadian Solar. You can find detailed analyses of all the stocks mentioned on our channel on YouTube.
Which solar stocks should you buy?
First Solar: market leader among solar module manufacturers
First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) is the most valuable solar module manufacturer with a market capitalisation of almost USD 18 billion. The Arizona-based company produces thin-film solar modules that work more efficiently than crystalline silicon modules at varying temperatures. This technology is particularly attractive for utilities and solar farms. In addition to modules, First Solar also offers complete photovoltaic solutions and services, such as the realisation and sale of large-scale projects to utilities.
Despite the fierce competition, the company has a solid balance sheet. Let's take a closer look at the key figures:
First Solar is the spearhead of solar stocks for us, not least because the chart picture for this stock is the most promising. It makes sense to buy this stock at the next notable pullback. This stock is already in our portfolio.
JinkoSolar: The solar company with the highest sales worldwide
JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS), based in Shanghai, is the world's leading manufacturer of solar cells, with annual sales of more than $16 billion. The company produces crystalline silicon modules and markets mounting systems. Its subsidiary JinkoPower operates its own solar parks. In 2022, JinkoSolar delivered modules with a total output of 46.6 GW, which corresponds to 19% of global new installations. Thanks to its vertical integration, JinkoSolar benefits particularly strongly from high demand.
Even though the stock is probably the strongest in terms of its balance sheet, it is still on a downward trend. This is likely to continue. The bottom has not yet been reached. For more information, visit our channel on YouTube.
Canadian Solar: the second-largest module manufacturer in the world
Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ) is one of the leading module manufacturers and is almost on a par with JinkoSolar in terms of production and delivery volumes. Since its foundation in 2001, Canadian Solar has delivered modules with a total output of more than 110 GW. In addition, the company offers inverters, energy storage solutions and services. It also develops and builds solar parks, which it then sells or operates itself. The order books are well filled, with PV projects in the pipeline totalling 26 GW and storage projects totalling 55 GWh.
Although the stock has been stuck in a sideways trend for years, rising module prices could have a major impact on earnings in the long term. Canadian Solar therefore remains an interesting but speculative choice for investors who are betting on long-term developments. Right now, it could break free upwards. We highlight this in our latest video on our channel on YouTube, along with Enphase Energy (NASDAQ:ENPH), First Solar, JinkoSolar and Solar Edge.
Solar ETF as an alternative
Those who do not want to invest in individual stocks can opt for a solar ETF. The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NYSE:XLE) offers a broad investment in the renewable energy sector. In addition to solar energy, the ETF also covers other areas such as wind and water energy as well as fuel cells. However, several solar companies such as First Solar, Enphase Energy, SolarEdge and SunRun are among the largest positions. This ETF is also in our portfolio.
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Disclaimer/Risk warning:
The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell. It should not be understood as an explicit or implicit assurance of a particular price development of the financial instruments mentioned or as a call to action. The purchase of securities involves risks that may lead to the total loss of the capital invested. The information provided does not replace expert investment advice tailored to individual needs. No liability or guarantee is assumed, either explicitly or implicitly, for the timeliness, accuracy, appropriateness or completeness of the information provided, nor for any financial losses. These are expressly not financial analyses, but journalistic texts. Readers who make investment decisions or carry out transactions based on the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. The authors may hold securities of the companies/securities/shares discussed at the time of publication and therefore a conflict of interest may exist.