Monday, December 3, 2007

First Solar (FSLR) Roundup

From the Arizona Republic:

Purchase of N.J. firm puts First Solar in power arena
Phoenix-based First Solar Inc. announced late Friday it would spend $34.3 million in cash and stock to acquire a New Jersey-based company that builds and operates commercial solar projects.

The deal vertically integrates the high-flying solar-panel maker, putting it in the market of building and installing power projects as well. It also gives First Solar leverage in the U.S. market, where it has little penetration.

The company it acquired, DT Solar, a Turner Renewable Energy Co., will operate as a subsidiary. It gets its name from entrepreneur, philanthropist and environmentalist Ted Turner, who invested in DT Solar in January....MORE

From Gadgetell:

Leading the Market with Cadmium-Telluride Solar Cells
First Solar was founded in 1999, but dates back to the late 1940s and Harold McMaster, who was one of the world’s first experts on tempered glass. Revenues for the last year have tripled (up to $159 million from $46 million) for this company that makes cadmium-telluride solar cells, which comprise a strong solar cell material. First Solar’s success may well be due to the fact that they don’t seem to have any competitors and one can only wonder why. Other companies have tried other kinds of solar cells, but none work better than those composed of cadmium-telluride....MORE

Finally, my favorite headline this morning.
From StreetInsider:

Soleil Securities Starts First Solar (FSLR) at Hold
Soleil Securities Group initiates coverage on First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) with a Hold rating.

The firm said First Solar will continue to beat the Street's expectations over the next 18 to 24 months as First Solar has found a niche within the solar industry as the "world's largest producer of thin-film photovoltaic modules."...MORE