Blog Post

Energy and oil have been two great investments over the past few years, but realistically this is bound to take a down turn at some point. I do not believe this to be in the immediate future as foreign market demands for oil continue to grow, the US is having a hard time kicking the habit, and most items we use in our daily lives are derivatives of a petroleum product.

However, even with the eventual down turn, the energy market is still a hot sector. You just have to look at it in a different light - or maybe in a gentle breeze. Tacky pun - I know - but solar and wind energy are going to be the next boom.

With a new global psyche of concern, and a new political climate in the US, the green energy market seems ripe for growth. Take into account the European progress already, and promises for the near future, and alternative energy is very, very promising.

So, who is the "Google" or "apple" of alternative energy? Try looking at First Solar. They are one of, if not the largest solar power component providers world wide. Their stock has been on a steady rise and they have the power and insight to consume innovative products and market them globally in the future. They are more likely to buy a license for new technologies rather than go stale and let go of their hold on the market. Granted, stiff competition will come. But as this market is rapidly expanding, competition will not hurt the bottom line of First Solar and their stock will only continue to be a favorite of mine.

Other companies to watch include GE (a good old standby getting in on the new technology), Vestas (wind turbine technology) and Real Goods Solar (a fresh IPO – give it time, it has the backing of Giam)to name a few. Granted all this love for green technology may make me a tree hugger, but then the tree hugger movement is gaining some serious momentum. Does that mean that maybe, just maybe, money does grow on trees?