Solarcoaster (solar stocks + roller coaster)
Solar stocks have been known for their volatility. The term “solarcoaster” (solar stocks + roller coaster) has been used to describe the solar stocks’ up-and-down ride.
A blog called the solar coaster began in May 2007. A 2009 report was titled “Riding the Giant ‘Solarcoaster’” and a May 18, 2010 blog post was titled “Taming the ‘Solarcoaster.’” Several news stories about the “solarcoaster” were published in June 2011.
The Site Selection Energy Report
Riding the Giant ‘Solarcoaster’ (2009—ed.)
by WILSON RICKERSON and ANDREW BELDEN
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During the Great Depression, Thomas Edison supposedly said, “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” He was quoted in conversation with his comrades, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone who, as it turns out, did not take him up on the offer.
The Green Investor’s Instablog
Taming the “Solarcoaster”
by Andreas Schreyer
May 18, 2010 6:26 PM
Individual investors who have dabbled with solar stocks know that they are not investments for the faint of heart.
With stock market volatility jumping sharply this month, the solar sector went from being the largest gainer last month to one of the biggest losers this month. In fact, the Chinese solar stock sub-segment was the worst of all stock market sectors we track, with a one month plunge of 26.9%.
Bloomberg.com
Shorts Sell ‘Solarcoaster’ as China Glut Sinks Panel Prices
By Ben Sills - Jun 20, 2011 1:35 PM ET
Short sellers are flocking to solar power, dumping record levels of stock in First Solar Inc. (FSLR) and competing equipment makers in a bet that profit will be hurt by a glut of Chinese panels and shrinking demand in Europe.
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Kravetz said his colleagues who’ve invested in solar stocks for seven years call the industry a “solarcoaster” because of price volatility. The 37-member Bloomberg solar index has a 60- day volatility of 24 percent, or twice the 12 percent rating of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, according to data on Bloomberg.
Zero Hedge
The Ugly Truth?
Submitted by Leo Kolivakis on 06/26/2011 14:09 -0400
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7) Ugly truth on the ‘solarcoaster’: I’ll tell you what else has lost its luster in the last three months, solar stocks. Along with other risk assets, they’ve been slaughtered. According to Bloomberg, short sellers are flocking to solar power, dumping record levels of stock in First Solar Inc. (FSLR) and competing equipment makers in a bet that profit will be hurt by a glut of Chinese panels and shrinking demand in Europe. The shorts have hammered solars but they’re creating opportunities for long-term investors.