Welcome to the Green Chip Review Weekend Edition — our insights from the week in everything alternative and cleantech, as well as links to our most-read Green Chip Review and sister publication articles.
But first, take a second to view Jeff Siegel on Fox Business this week...
It doesn't get much more bullish than it was this week. Here's a chart with representative companies from four major cleantech sectors:
The market shook off Dubai debt news like a wet umbrella, and some green-specific occurrences made for a great week for our sector. Here's what went down. . .
For starters, many new reports, nations, and statesmen are once again rallying around next week's climate talks in Copenhagen. While a robust deal ratified by all nations will not likely be produced, many of the major players are at least hinting at some sort of binding accord.
Solar is also continuing its major breakout, albeit with China-based players receiving most of the action. Trina announced this week that it entered into a sales agreement to supply 8 MW to the Chinese domestic market. Solarfun (NASDAQ: SOLF) announced it has agreed to build a 100 MW in Gansu province along with a module production facility to support it. And Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) said it's planning a C$24 million module plant in Ontario that will have a 200 MW capacity.
All the Chinese names have been moving nicely.
The wind market is also seeing good news. Utilities have begun buying wind generation assets (a trend we told you would happen some time ago), which is a very nice exit strategy for companies building and developing wind farms.
New York announced it's looking for "developers to build wind farms on its Great Lakes that could generate 120 to 500 megawatts of power to boost the amount of electricity that comes from renewable sources by 2015." In California, PG&E announced it will "build and operate a wind power project of up to 246 MW" in conjunction with global powerhouse Iberdrola.
And here in Maryland, utility and power plant operator Constellation Energy said it will buy a 70 MW wind farm from Clipper Windpower in order to help satiate statewide renewable energy mandates.
Wind stocks are up accordingly on the positive news.
Even the beleaguered ethanol industry is making moves in the right direction. On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said "Financial benefits from climate change legislation for U.S. farmers will greatly outweigh any additional costs they face." And in another policy win, the ethanol industry is poised to win approval for higher ethanol blend rates in U.S. gasoline.
That news was enough to send biofuel producers like Pacific Ethanol and BioFuel Energy Corp more than 100% higher for the week.
Finally, the smart grid and the water sector each received good news this week.
Britain announced they will adopt a national smart grid that could prove to be a $14.25 billion cleantech investment windfall.
And Japan's largest companies — including Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Sumitomo — announced they're about to aggressively pursue business in a water market they expect to be worth $1 trillion by 2025.
It's a great time to be a green investor.
You can find the rest of this week's in-depth analysis below.
Call it like you see it,
Nick
Energy Efficient LEDs: Baltimore's Efficient Christmas Lights
Green Chip Review contributor Emily Rutan discusses the lighting of the Washington Monument in Baltimore. . . and the efficiency that now comes with it.
Dubai and Masdar City: A Study in Contrasts
Editor Chris Nelder views Dubai World and Masdar City as icons of the past and future.
Renewable Energy Policy: A Global View from this Capitol Hill Powwow
International Editor Sam Hopkins takes a global view of the Capitol Hill ACORE Policy Forum in Washington, D.C.
The Final Countdown: COP-15 Summit Monday
Green Chip Review reports: the highly-anticipated meeting of nation leaders, corporate giants, high-ranking officials, and powerful politicians happens on December 7 in Copenhagen... And the future of the energy sector is in the hands of those at this behind-closed-doors meeting. Find out exactly how you can gain a profitable foothold in the sector that knows no profit boundaries.
Climate Change Opportunities: The Truth about Climate Change Will Make you Rich
Green Chip's Jeff Siegel shares his thoughts on climate change investment opportunities.
Greenland's Rare Earth Resources: $273 Billion and the Future of Technology At Stake
Next month, a chunk of arctic tundra will be the most sought-after piece of real estate in the world. At stake: more than $273 billion worth of rare resources, critical to future technology. Green Chip Review tells readers the vital information about Greenland's massive natural resources and the private company that will control them, come January 1...
Pakistan Renewable Energy: Over $600 Billion in Clean Power Funds for Pakistan
International Editor Sam Hopkins discusses how Pakistan has become the target of a massive influx of funds to stimulate the country's clean energy economy.
Renewable Energy Certificates: Bringing Renewable Energy to the Consumer
Green Chip's Emily Rutan discusses Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and how they're helping to bring renewable energy to the masses.
Energy & Capital Editor Nick Hodge discusses data center power consumption... and how reducing it can make investors a fortune.
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