Friday, August 7, 2009

Pacific Crest Sees Cloudy Outlook for European Solar Firms. And: Cash-for-Clunkers to Hurt Solar

A twofer from the Dow Jones Empire'
From Tech Trader Daily:

I a note today forecasting mixed results form European solar technology companies, Pacific Crest analyst Mark Bachman downgraded shares of Norway’s Renewable Energy Corp (RNWEY.PK) while maintaining “Outperform” ratings on German firms SolarWorld (SRWRF.PK), Q-Cells (QCLSF.PK) and Phoenix Solar (PXSNF.PK).

SolarWorld has “shown the most resiliency” so far this year, with its integrated manufacturing helping to keep costs down, and the company appears to be taking some share in the U.S. solar market. Phoenix, he hopes, will have some positive comments to make at its earnings announcement....MORE

And from Environmental Capital:

More Cash for Clunkers, Less Cash for Solar

...That is, the $2 billion extension for the cash-for-clunkers car scrappage program comes straight out of the renewable-energy piggy bank. At least one analyst is tsk-tsking, and worried about the near-term outlook for solar power.

“We expect the 2010 U.S solar market growth to be negatively impacted by the clunkers extension program since this program would result in less available funds for the DOE loan guarantee program,” wrote Barclays Capital in a note today....MORE