Latest news with #solarindustry
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Investors Were So Fired Up About First Solar Stock on Friday
Key Points Data center operators are unhappy with potential changes to federal incentives for green energy solutions. A group of them are lobbying the Trump administration to leave these incentives alone for now. 10 stocks we like better than First Solar › The solar industry has struggled mightily for years to achieve meaningful growth and post net profits. During the Biden administration, the green energy sector as a whole received something of a break in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, with a slew of tax incentives for building out alternative-energy solutions. In its attempt to reverse this, President Donald Trump has tasked his administration to make the current subsidies harder to obtain. Thankfully for green energy companies, a theoretically influential lobbying group stepped in on Friday to push back against this effort. Numerous solar stocks popped on the news, including First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR), which rose a sturdy 11% by market close. A mighty lob by a lobbying group The business grouping behind Friday's pushback is the Data Center Coalition. News broke that the coalition sent a formal request to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to maintain the subsidy policy as it is, rather than changing it. The organization -- which lists as members Amazon, Oracle, and CoreWeave, among other prominent tech companies -- told Bessent that any regulatory roadblock limiting green energy solutions will hamper the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Many data center operators are currently building out their facilities to handle the vastly increased resource demands of AI. To do so, they require more energy, hence their support of renewable sources like solar. Does the silence speak volumes? Bessent hasn't yet publicly responded to the coalition's lobbying effort, nor has anyone else in the Trump administration. But investors seem convinced that they've not only digested the letter, they're taking it seriously, since the organization behind it has many prominent members who drive the U.S. economy. Should you invest $1,000 in First Solar right now? Before you buy stock in First Solar, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and First Solar wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $663,630!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,115,695!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,071% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, First Solar, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Investors Were So Fired Up About First Solar Stock on Friday was originally published by The Motley Fool
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Why Investors Were So Fired Up About First Solar Stock on Friday
Key Points Data center operators are unhappy with potential changes to federal incentives for green energy solutions. A group of them are lobbying the Trump administration to leave these incentives alone for now. 10 stocks we like better than First Solar › The solar industry has struggled mightily for years to achieve meaningful growth and post net profits. During the Biden administration, the green energy sector as a whole received something of a break in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, with a slew of tax incentives for building out alternative-energy solutions. In its attempt to reverse this, President Donald Trump has tasked his administration to make the current subsidies harder to obtain. Thankfully for green energy companies, a theoretically influential lobbying group stepped in on Friday to push back against this effort. Numerous solar stocks popped on the news, including First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR), which rose a sturdy 11% by market close. A mighty lob by a lobbying group The business grouping behind Friday's pushback is the Data Center Coalition. News broke that the coalition sent a formal request to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to maintain the subsidy policy as it is, rather than changing it. The organization -- which lists as members Amazon, Oracle, and CoreWeave, among other prominent tech companies -- told Bessent that any regulatory roadblock limiting green energy solutions will hamper the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Many data center operators are currently building out their facilities to handle the vastly increased resource demands of AI. To do so, they require more energy, hence their support of renewable sources like solar. Does the silence speak volumes? Bessent hasn't yet publicly responded to the coalition's lobbying effort, nor has anyone else in the Trump administration. But investors seem convinced that they've not only digested the letter, they're taking it seriously, since the organization behind it has many prominent members who drive the U.S. economy. Should you invest $1,000 in First Solar right now? Before you buy stock in First Solar, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and First Solar wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $663,630!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,115,695!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,071% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany's solar industry warns against subsidy cuts for rooftop installations
Germany's solar industry has raised concerns over a proposal by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche to end feed-in subsidies for new small-scale rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems. The sector has cautioned that such a move could risk national climate targets, as reported by Reuters. The feed-in subsidies were introduced in 2000 to support the growth of the solar power sector by ensuring a fixed price for renewable energy producers who sell their electricity to the grid. These subsidies have contributed to Germany's goal of sourcing 80% of its electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030. However, the country currently faces challenges, having experienced two consecutive years of economic contraction. As the government seeks to increase defence spending, revitalise industry and upgrade ageing infrastructure, its finances are under considerable strain. Katherina Reiche stated that public funding is no longer necessary for new small rooftop PV installations, which primarily benefit private households, declaring: "New, small PV systems are already profitable in the market today and don't require any subsidies.' She also mentioned that system operators could help cover some of the expenses associated with the grid expansion needed to increase support for solar power generation. Carsten Koernig, the head of the German solar industry federation, stated that the subsidy offers essential security for financing banks. He further noted that without this support, only four out of ten customers would be inclined to invest in a solar power system for their homes. Koernig said: "The subsidy is already clearly paying off for society as a whole." Enpal, a Berlin-based renewable energy company, highlighted that the government should enhance the appeal of rooftop solar capacity for small producers to achieve its renewable power generation targets. A company spokesperson stated: 'What is beyond question is that this requires a reliable regulatory framework.' Reiche's proposition comes as demand within the sector is slowing due to rising interest rates, a changing political landscape and economic uncertainty. It also appears contradictory to earlier agreements made between her conservative CDU party and its coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD). SPD energy policy spokesperson Nina Scheer stated: "We agreed in the coalition agreement that we want to make private households the actors in their own energy supply. "We now need progress in the expansion of storage and not uncertainty." Germany saw a significant increase in energy consumption during the first half of 2025. Energy usage reached 187.3 million tonnes of coal equivalent - a 2.3% increase from 183.1 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. "Germany's solar industry warns against subsidy cuts for rooftop installations" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
German solar industry warns against ending subsidies after minister proposes cuts
BERLIN, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Germany's solar industry warned on Tuesday against ending subsidies for new rooftop photovoltaic systems, as proposed by the economy minister, arguing that withdrawing support for small installations would jeopardise the country's climate goals. The feed-in subsidies were introduced 25 years ago to aid an expansion of the solar power sector by providing a guaranteed price for renewable energy producers selling their power onto the grid. They have helped Germany make progress towards its target of covering 80% of its electricity consumption needs with renewable sources by 2030. But Europe's biggest economy is struggling to grow following two consecutive years of contraction, and government finances are under pressure as it seeks to boost defence spending, revive industry and renew ageing infrastructure. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche in an interview with the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper published on Sunday said that new small rooftop systems, which benefit mainly private households, no longer needed public funding. "New, small PV systems are already profitable in the market today and don't require any subsidies," she said, adding that system operators could also bear some of the costs of grid expansions needed to accommodate growing solar power generation. However, Carsten Koernig, the head of the German solar industry federation, said the subsidy provided necessary security for the financing banks. Without them, he added, only four out of ten customers would still purchase a solar power system for their homes. "The subsidy is already clearly paying off for society as a whole," Koernig told Reuters. As the government works to meet its renewable power generation target, it will need to leverage rooftop solar capacity by making it more attractive to small producers, Berlin-based renewable energy firm Enpal said. "What is beyond question is that this requires a reliable regulatory framework," a spokesperson for the company told Reuters. Reiche's proposal to curtail subsidies comes as the solar sector is already facing slowing demand due to rising interest rates, a shifting political climate and general economic uncertainty. It also contradicts policies agreed between Reiche's conservative CDU party and its governing partner, the Social Democrats (SPD), when they formed an alliance earlier this year, according to the SPD's energy policy spokesperson. "We agreed in the coalition agreement that we want to make private households the actors in their own energy supply," Nina Scheer told Reuters. "We now need progress in the expansion of storage and not uncertainty."
Malay Mail
07-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Miti: Malaysia's solar panel exports hit RM11.2b in 2024, India takes bigger slice
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Malaysia recorded an 88 per cent increase in photovoltaic (PV) cell exports to India valued at RM4.65 billion in 2024 versus RM2.47 billion in 2023, said the Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). In a written reply on the Dewan Rakyat portal, Miti said through the Malaysia International Halal Showcase's (Mihas) Greentech category and the involvement of local solar companies, Malaysia has also identified the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as potential export markets. This is to counter the decline in PV cell exports to the United States (US) market, it said. 'Miti acknowledges that the US is the largest market for PV cells. Exports to the US started to decline even before it introduced 'reciprocal tariffs. The decline started when the US ended the solar product tax exemption for South-east Asian countries in June 2024. 'The US had granted tax exemptions for solar PV cell imports from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam from June 7, 2022, to June 6, 2024, to boost its solar industry,' Miti said in respond to a question from Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan) on the latest export figures and the main importing countries of solar panels from Malaysia. He also asked what measures the ministry is taking to ensure that export volume and revenue of local solar manufacturers are not severely affected if the US imposes import tariffs on solar panel products. Based on Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) data, 2024 PV cell exports in the form of modules and panels totalled RM11.2 billion. Of this, RM5.05 billion, or 45 per cent, was exported to the US; RM3.69 billion, or 33 per cent to India; RM1.34 billion or 12 per cent to Vietnam, and the remaining 10 per cent to Pakistan, Ukraine, Türkiye, the Philippines, South Korea and Argentina. Miti has also held several engagement sessions with related ministries such as the Finance Ministry and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry to introduce policies that support the local industry, such as a localisation policy by setting quotas for local goods in domestic projects. — Bernama
