Guggenheim Solar ETF
Latest Guggenheim Solar ETF News and Updates

The must-know dynamics of the global power industry
In this series, we’ll look at the structure of the thermal power industry before moving on to focus on the power generation equipment sector.

The major sub-industries of the global power equipment industry
The power generation equipment industry is made up of various sub-industries, each with a structure of its own.

Why Did Sunrun Miss Analysts’ 3Q16 Revenue Estimates?
For 3Q16, Sunrun’s (RUN) consolidated revenue came in at ~$112 million against analysts’ expectations of $135 million.

Canadian Solar Beat Analysts’ 3Q17 Revenue Estimates
Canadian Solar’s revenues from the sale of electricity in 3Q17 totaled $9.6 million, which was marginally lower than $9.8 million in 2Q17.

Analyzing JA Solar’s Leverage and Liquidity Position
JA Solar Holdings (JASO) reported $12.1 million as interest expense for 3Q17 compared to $12.4 million in 2Q17 and $11.3 million in 3Q16.

No Analysts Recommend a “Sell” on Xcel Energy
Of the 18 analysts tracking Xcel Energy, 13 recommend it as a “hold,” five recommend it as a “buy,” and none recommend it as a “sell.”

What to Expect From First Solar’s 2Q16 Earnings
First Solar (FSLR) is expected to announce its 2Q16 earnings results on August 4, 2016, after market hours.

Solar Companies See Pressure to Improve Top Line Growth in 3Q16
Following 2Q16, major downstream solar companies such as Sunrun, SolarCity, and SunPower have revised their 2016 guidances downward.

Can Vivint Solar Beat Analysts’ 2Q16 Estimates?
Vivint Solar (VSLR) will announce its 2Q16 earnings results on August 8, 2016, after Market hours. In this series, we’ll look at analysts’ expectations for 2Q16 and 2016 guidance.

Solar Stocks: Analyzing the Top Gainers of 2019
Solar stocks have been a sweet spot among equities this year. On average, they’ve gained 50% this year, notably outperforming broader markets.

SolarCity: A Quick Trip down Memory Lane
SolarCity was founded in 2006 with the initial focused on selling, financing, and installing solar energy systems for residential and commercial customers.

Sunrun: The Beginning of a Residential Solar Major
Sunrun was co-founded in 2007 as a startup by Ed Fenster and Lynn Jurich, with an aim to create worldwide use of solar energy. It began offering solar services in 2008.

Yieldco: A Green Investment Option That Pays
While REITs started trading in 1951 and MLPs started off in 1981, the first yieldco was floated in 2005 by Seaspan Corporation, a shipping company.

Understanding SolarCity’s Valuation Compared to Peers: Who’s Trading at a Discount?
Among the downstream solar companies, SolarCity (SCTY) has the highest EV-to-sales value of 8.70x, which is closely followed by Vivint Solar at 8.31x.

First Solar faces some must-know challenges
While First Solar has traditionally been manufacturing thin-film CdTe modules, which don’t require polysilicon, their prices have fallen in recent years.

What Do Analysts Expect for Yingli Solar’s Margins in 3Q16?
For 3Q16, analysts expect Yingli Solar to report a gross profit of about $31.0 million with a gross margin of about 12.4%, which is in line with the company’s gross margin guidance.

What Factors Have Driven Downstream Solar Stocks So Far in 2016?
In this series, we will perform a comparative analysis of downstream solar companies’ 1Q16 earnings and SunPower’s downstream operations. We will take a close look at its management’s guidance and analyst expectations for 2016.

A Closer Look at Trina Solar’s 2Q16 Shipments
Trina Solar (TSL) had given shipment guidance of 1,500 MW (megawatts) to 1,600 MW for 2Q16. However, the company reported 1,658.3 MW of solar (TAN) module shipments recognized in its revenue for 2Q16.

How Do Analysts Rate SolarCity ahead of 3Q16 Results?
Since the release of SolarCity’s 2Q16 results, three of the 15 analysts covering the stock lowered their price targets.

How Do Analysts Rate Sunrun ahead of Its 3Q16 Results?
Of the 11 analysts covering Sunrun (RUN) stock, nine analysts (81.8%) gave the company a “buy” rating. Two analysts (18.2%) rated it a “hold,” and there weren’t any “sell” ratings on Sunrun’s stock on November 4, 2016.

What to Expect from SolarCity’s 3Q16 Earnings
Between its 2Q16 earnings release on August 9 and October 21, 2016, SolarCity’s stock price fell nearly 19%.

Trina Solar and Canadian Solar See Gains on April 21
The Guggenheim Solar ETF (TAN) gained 0.9% on April 21. American solar stocks account for 47% of the fund’s holdings, and Chinese solar stocks account for another 44%.

SunEdison or FirstSolar? Diversification or a Strong Focus?
FirstSolar (FSLR) nailed its 2Q15 earnings. The company’s focus on solar power differentiates it from SunEdison (SUNE).

Solar Stocks and ETFs Drop Following EU Decision
The European Union decided to review a minimum import price agreement for Chinese solar panels, pulling the solar stocks down.

Why Canadian Solar’s Shipments Rose during 3Q17
In 4Q17, Canadian Solar expects its solar module shipments to reach ~1.7–1.8 GW.

Where Does Yingli Solar’s Valuation Stand among Peers?
As of December 9, 2016, among its major peers, Yingli Solar had the highest forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 14.3x.

Why Did Yingli Solar’s Shipments Fall in 3Q16?
Yingli Solar (YGE) reported about 365 MW of solar (TAN) module shipments for 3Q16, as compared to 662 MW in 2Q16 and 460 MW in 3Q15.

JA Solar’s Costs in 3Q17 and How That Affected Its Bottom Line
JA Solar’s total cost of sales for 3Q17 was $575.4 million compared to $778.9 million in 2Q17 and $539.3 million in 3Q16.

These Solar Stocks Offer a Strong Gain Potential for 2020
Overall, 2019 turned out to be volatile for solar stocks. However, there were some bright spots among broader markets last year.

Enphase Energy Stock Starts Off 2020 with a Bang
Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock started off 2020 with a bang and surged more than 12% on January 2. Solar stocks also gained yesterday.

How’s First Solar Stock Placed before 2020?
Wall Street analysts have given First Solar a mean target price of $70.9, which indicates a potential upside of 22% for the next 12 months.

ENPH or SEDG: Which Stock Is More Attractively Valued?
Enphase Energy (ENPH) is trading 24x its EPS of $0.98 for the next 12 months—reasonable for a growth stock. SolarEdge (SEDG) is trading 17x its forward EPS.

What’s in Store for First Solar Stock?
First Solar stock lost 3.4% last week after the US Court of International Trade blocked the Trump administration from withdrawing a tariff exemption.

Will SunPower’s Spin-Off Plan Help Its Stock?
SunPower announced its plans to spin-off businesses into global solar panel manufacturing and US distributed solar generation and storage.

First Solar Stock Still Looks Weak after Q3 Earnings
First Solar’s (FSLR) third-quarter earnings didn’t boost its stock. Investors were disappointed with wide misses on the revenues and earnings front.

SunPower Stock Surges after Strong Q3 Earnings
SunPower (SPWR) surprised investors with strong third-quarter earnings on October 30. It reported EPS of $0.07, beating analysts’ consensus estimate.

Enphase Energy Looks Weak despite Solid Q3 Earnings
Yesterday, solar inverter maker Enphase Energy (ENPH) yet again reported record earnings, marking its fourth consecutive profitable quarter.

Why Enphase Energy Stock Is Rising Today
Solar inverter maker Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock was up more than 4% at 11:10 ET today. ENPH recovered after it fell more than 8% yesterday.

Is Enphase Energy Stock Gaining Momentum Again?
Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock rose about 4% on October 17. ENPH has risen steadily this month after a sharp drop, and it has gained almost 430% YTD.

Solar Stocks: Paying Too Much for a Rosy Outlook?
Solar stocks highlighted the top-rallied sectors this year. After hitting multiyear highs, many solar stocks have fallen as much as 40% since August.

Solar Stocks with Bright Upside Potential: FSLR, ENPH
Solar stocks have had a great run this year. Strong demand, falling costs, and higher corporate investments have supported these renewables in 2019.

Is the Recent Weakness in Solar Stocks an Opportunity?
Almost all solar stocks fell sharply on September 26. First Solar (FSLR) fell about 7% yesterday while this year’s top gainer, Enphase Energy, fell 7.5%.

Why First Solar Stock Could Continue to Climb
Top solar stock First Solar (FSLR) has surged about 10% in September. FSLR is trading close to its 52-week high and might continue to march upward.

Will Enphase Energy Stock Continue to Soar?
Enphase Energy stock had a solid week, gaining more than 20%. Its recovery is notable after its ~25% correction since its all-time high late last month.

Generac Challenges Enphase Energy, SolarEdge Duopoly
Short-seller Citron Research noted that Generac Holdings could challenge solar microinverter makers Enphase Energy and SolarEdge’s duopoly.

Where Could First Solar Stock Go from Here?
Almost all the solar stocks have had a fantastic run so far this year, and First Solar (FSLR) is no exception. FSLR stock is up more than 45% year-to-date.

Enphase Down 25% from All-Time High—Time to Buy?
Enphase Energy has fallen almost 20% from its all-time high of $35.4. The stock is still sitting at a huge gain of approximately 500% this year.

First Solar Stock Looks Strong Compared to Its Peers
First Solar (FSLR) stock fell more than 10% from its 52-week high early this month. In a strong solar environment, FSLR stock has gained more than 45% YTD.

Enphase Energy Stock Looks Strong, 600% 2019 Gain
Solar microinverter company Enphase Energy (ENPH) has rallied more than any other stock in the space this year with a more-than-600% gain.

Which Solar Stocks Offer Handsome Upside Potential?
Solar stocks have been on an impressive run this year. So far, Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock has risen more than 530% in 2019.

Why Solar Stocks Were Mixed Last Week
Solar stocks started last week significantly lower due to increased trade war concerns. The solar energy space is one of the hottest sectors this year.

SunEdison and FirstSolar Publish Their 2Q15 Earnings
FirstSolar (FSLR) and SunEdison (SUNE) published their 2Q15 earnings on August 4 and August 6, respectively. The results starkly contrasted with each other.

First Solar Disappoints in Q2 but Raises Guidance
First Solar (FSLR) reported its second-quarter earnings results yesterday. It reported EPS of -$0.18 for the quarter.

SunPower Reports Loss in Q2, Raises 2019 Guidance
On Wednesday, SunPower reported its second-quarter earnings after the markets closed. The company reported an adjusted loss of $0.22 per share.

Why 2019 Could Be Better for First Solar
2019 could be a lot better and a step in a different direction for the solar energy sector as a whole. Solar stocks have already performed well so far.

What to Expect from Tesla’s Energy Segment in 2019
Since Tesla’s (TSLA) inception, analysts have remained divided in terms of its future growth prospects.

How’s First Solar Stock Placed Compared to Its Peers?
First Solar stock is trading at a forward PE ratio of 18x. On average, solar stocks (TAN) are trading at a forward valuation multiple of 14x.

Comparing First Solar, SunRun, and SunPower’s Valuations
First Solar (FSLR) stock is trading at a forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 4x based on analysts’ earnings estimates for 2019.

Analysts Expect Yingli Solar’s Revenue to Rise in 3Q17
In 3Q16, Yingli Solar (YGE) posted nearly $218.9 million in total revenues. Analysts estimate that it will report ~$242 million in revenues in 3Q17.

Yingli Solar Stock Has a ‘Sell’ Rating before Its 3Q17 Results
Currently, only one analyst is covering Yingli Solar (YGE) stock. The analyst gave the company a “sell” (or 100%) rating.

What to Expect from Yingli Solar’s 3Q17 Earnings
Yingli Solar will announce its 3Q17 earnings results on December 6 before market hours. Since its 2Q17 earnings, its stock price has fallen nearly 13.1%.

How JA Solar Beat Analysts’ 3Q17 Revenue Estimates
In 3Q17, JA Solar reported total revenues of $652.6 million compared to $878.2 million in 2Q17 and $624.3 million in 3Q16.

Why JA Solar Stock Fell after Its 3Q17 Earnings Release
On November 15, 2017, after market hours, JA Solar Holdings (JASO) announced its 3Q17 results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Why Canadian Solar’s Stock Price Fell after Its 3Q17 Results
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) reported its 3Q17 earnings results on November 9. CSIQ declared earnings per share of $0.22, slightly below the analyst consensus estimate of $0.26.

How Did Vivint Solar’s Costs Affect Its Bottom Line in 3Q17?
In 3Q17, Vivint Solar (VSLR) posted $34.7 million as its cost of revenue for its operating leases and incentives, higher than the $33.8 million in 2Q17 but lower than the $39.3 million in 3Q16.

Vivint Solar Beat Analysts’ 3Q17 Revenue Estimates
Vivint Solar reported $75.1 million in consolidated revenue for 3Q17 compared to $73.0 million in 2Q17 and $41.3 million 3Q16.

Vivint Solar Reported Rise in Estimated Retained Value in 3Q17
Vivint Solar (VSLR) reported a cost per watt of $2.94 for 3Q17, higher than the $2.88 it reported in 2Q17 and $3.85 in 3Q16.

Why Vivint Solar Stock Fell after 3Q17 Results
Vivint Solar posted $75.1 million in revenues in 3Q17, up by 82% on a YoY (year-over-year) basis.

Why SunPower Reported Lower 3Q17 Revenues
SunPower (SPWR) reports its revenue under the power plant, residential, and commercial segments. The latter two segments are together called the distributed generation segments.

SunPower Stock Surges 15% after 3Q17 Earnings Release
SunPower (SPWR) announced its 3Q17 earnings before market hours on November 2. In this series, we’ll examine SunPower’s 3Q17 results in detail and compare the results with analysts’ estimates.

TerraForm Global: SunEdison’s Other Yieldco
SunEdison (SUNEQ) formed TerraForm Global in early 2015 to own and operate renewable energy assets in emerging markets.

Vivint Solar Acquisition Plan Triggered SunEdison’s Collapse
SunEdison (SUNEQ) announced the intent to acquire residential rooftop solar (TAN) power provider Vivint Solar (VSLR) on July 19, 2015. However, the market reacted negatively.

What’s the Story behind SunEdison’s Bankruptcy?
Factors that spearheaded SunEdison’s bankruptcy were leveraged acquisitions and the liquidity crisis.

First Solar: A Key Player in the Global Solar Power Industry
First Solar (FSLR) produces solar energy equipment. In this series, we’ll look at its performance and the outlook for the industry.

First Solar: A Guide to Valuation
Relative valuation PE (price-to-earnings) and EV-to-EBITDA multiples are commonly used to determine relative valuation. The forward PE multiple considers a company’s equity based on earnings forecasts for the next 12 months. On September 29, 2017, First Solar’s forward PE multiple was reported to be 21.9x. This PE multiple was higher than JA Solar’s (JASO) 9.1x and Canadian Solar’s […]

First Solar’s Strong Balance Sheet Sets It Apart from Peers
Debt profile As of December 31, 2016, First Solar (FSLR) had total debt of $188.4 million, lower than its debt of $289 million at the end of 2015. The company’s debt is denominated in various currencies, including the US dollar, Malaysian ringgit, and euros. Credit metrics With a net worth of over $5 billion and $555.8 […]

First Solar’s Profits Impacted by Heavy Restructuring Charges
Pre-tax loss First Solar’s (FSLR) pretax loss in 2016 was $471.7 million, compared with a profit of $519.8 million in 2015. The loss could be attributed to the huge $729 million restructuring pre-tax charges faced by the company in the fourth quarter of 2016. Net loss in 2016 First Solar reported a net loss of $358.0 […]

Why First Solar’s Gross Margins Contracted in 2016
Cost of sales First Solar’s (FSLR) Components segment saw its cost of sales rise 6% to $1.1 billion in fiscal 2016, from $1.0 billion in fiscal 2015. On the other hand, despite higher volumes, the Systems segment’s cost of sales fell 29% to $1.1 billion in fiscal 2016 from $1.6 billion in fiscal 2015. Overall, the company’s cost […]

First Solar’s Components Segment Offsets Fall in Systems Revenue
Revenue trend First Solar’s (FSLR) revenue is primarily from turn-key projects, project maintenance, project sales, PV (photovoltaic) module sales to third parties, and PPAs (power purchase agreements) for sale of electricity. In this part, we’ll examine First Solar’s financial performance. As we discussed previously, First Solar has two main business segments: Components and Systems. The design, […]

How India Became First Solar’s Second-Biggest Market
India’s rising electricity demand According to the EIA’s (U.S. Energy Information Administration) 2017 International Energy Outlook, India’s electricity generation is expected to increase by 3.2% per year through 2040, to meet increasing electricity demand in rural areas. Solar outlook Even though coal is the primary fuel used for electricity generation in India, the focus on renewable […]

First Solar’s Global Market Strategy
The Americas The US PV (photovoltaic) market made up ~83% ($2.9 billion) of First Solar’s (FSLR) revenue. The United States has typically been First Solar’s largest market, and where many of its prominent projects and customers are located. First Solar has completed the construction of Del Sur, a 26 MW (megawatt) solar project in Honduras. It commenced […]

Behind First Solar’s Operations
Operating segments Previously, we looked at First Solar’s (FSLR) history. The photovoltaic module manufacturer operates two business segments: Components and Systems. The Components segment First Solar is a manufacturer of solar (TAN) photovoltaic (or PV) modules. First Solar also designs and sells these modules. They manufacture thin-film PVs, in which the semiconductor material used is […]

Green Bond Drivers: The Same as Conventional Bonds
Green bonds are used by organizations worldwide to fund environmentally sustainable projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean water.

How Will Restructuring Initiatives Impact SunPower?
SunPower expects to incur about $225 million–$275 million in restructuring charges as part of closing its Philippine-based Fab 2 manufacturing facility.

Why SunPower Stock Rose after the Restructuring Announcement
The market cheered SunPower’s restructuring initiatives. The initiatives are expected to reduce the company’s costs and improve its future margins.

What to Expect from Yingli Solar’s 3Q16 Earnings
Yingli (or Yingli Solar) (YGE) is set to announce its 3Q16 earnings on December 8, 2016. In this series, we’ll look at analysts’ expectations for Yingli Solar’s 3Q16 earnings.

A Look at Trina Solar’s Capacity Expansion and Financial Position
Trina Solar’s interest expenses have consistently been on the rise over the last two years. For 3Q16, they were $28.6 million compared to $26.0 million in 2Q16.

How Did Trina Solar’s Costs Affect Its Gross Margin in 3Q16?
In 3Q16, Trina Solar (TSL) reported a gross profit of $125.6 million compared to $176.3 million in 2Q16. On a YoY basis, the company’s gross profit fell nearly 9.0%.

How Did Trina Solar Stock React to Its 3Q16 Results?
Trina Solar (TSL) announced its 3Q16 earnings results before market hours on November 23, 2016. In this series, we’ll take a look at the results and compare them with analysts’ expectations.

What to Expect from Canadian Solar’s Future Earnings
Following its 3Q16 results, Canadian Solar revised down its US GAAP revenue guidance for 2016 to $2.8 billion–$2.9 billion.

First Solar Will Focus on Accelerating Its Series 6 Product
On November 16, 2016, First Solar (FSLR) announced an update on its Series 6 product transition and revised its fiscal 2016 guidance.

What’s Canadian Solar’s Leverage and Liquidity Position?
Canadian Solar’s interest expenses fell considerably in 2Q16 to $11.9 million from $16.1 million at the end of 1Q16.

What to Expect from Canadian Solar’s 3Q16 Earnings
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) is set to announce its 3Q16 earnings results on November 21, 2016, before market hours.

What to Expect from Sunrun’s Future Earnings
For the coming quarter, analysts expect Sunrun’s (RUN) revenue to be ~$130 million, and they expect significant improvement in company revenue in the latter half of 1H17.

How Did Sunrun’s Costs in 3Q16 Affect Its Gross Margins?
Sunrun (SUN) reported an operating loss of ~$51 million for 3Q16 compared to an operating loss of $48 million in 2Q16 and $63 million in 3Q15.

Why Did Sunrun’s Stock Price Surge after Its 3Q16 Results?
Sunrun (RUN) announced its 3Q16 earnings results on November 10, 2016, after market hours. Sunrun reported earnings per share of $0.16, compared to analysts’ consensus EPS estimate of -$0.20.

How Did Vivint Solar’s Costs in 3Q16 Affect Its Bottom Line?
Vivint Solar (VSLR) reported $39.3 million in operating leases and incentives revenue costs for 3Q16 compared to $38.5 million in 2Q16 and $37.6 million in 3Q15.

Vivint Solar Reported a Record Low Cost per Watt in 3Q16
Vivint Solar (VSLR) reported a record low cost per watt of $2.85 for 3Q16 as compared to $2.94 in 2Q16 and $3.12 in 3Q15.

What Do Analysts Expect for Sunrun’s Margins in 3Q16?
Sunrun’s (RUN) gross profit for 2Q16 came in at $22.3 million. For 3Q16, analysts expect the company to report a gross profit of $23.3 million.
Statoil Expects Cost Reductions in Offshore Wind
One reason that renewable energy hasn’t caught on in a big way is the cost associated with energy generation.