Investing Topics: Solar Power

The More Things Change, the More Some Utilities Profit

By Roger S. Conrad on Oct. 14, 2016

Critics who dismiss utilities as dinosaurs doomed for extinction aren’t paying attention to the forward-looking moves made by Edison International and some of its peers.

Energy Storage: Ignore the Hype and Follow the Profits

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 30, 2016

The boring way to profit from advances in energy storage yields 3.7 percent and, unlike SolarCity and Tesla Motors, actually generates positive earnings.

Barron’s Bashes Utility Stocks for All the Wrong Reasons

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 2, 2016

Last month, Barron's published a sensationalist article warning of a looming death spiral for US electric utilities and traditional power generators. Although stretched valuations may mean that utility stocks are overdue for a pullback in the near term, the sector's future prospects remain undiminished.

SolarCity and Tesla Motors: Steer Clear of These Kissing Cousins

By Roger S. Conrad on Jul. 21, 2016

The proposed combination of SolarCity and Tesla Motors amounts to little more than a bailout of the fatally flawed renewable-energy company that loses more money with each incremental sale. Investors looking for exposure to clean energy should stay away.

Why Utility Stocks, Not Tesla Motors, Are the Smart Bet on Electric Cars

By Roger S. Conrad on Mar. 30, 2016

Investors prize utility stocks for their resilience, but don't overlook their upside exposure to several secular growth trends--including the electric car's long-term potential.

The Sun is Setting on SolarCity Corp, But Renewable Energy is for Real

By Roger S. Conrad on Feb. 22, 2016

SolarCity Corp continues to lose more money with each incremental sale. Meanwhile, electric utilities can leverage their low cost of capital, existing customer relationships and ability to recover capital expenditures in rate base to spur adoption of renewable energy.

Conference Musings

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 17, 2015

We highlight some of the key investment themes that stood out after three days of presentations and talking to management teams at the Edison Electric Institute's annual financial conference, one of the premier events for utility analysts and industry insiders.

Solar Power: Not a Death Knell for Utilities

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 10, 2015

After the first day of presentations and meetings at the Edison Electric Conference's 50th Annual Financial Conference, one theme stands out: increasing adoption of solar power doesn't sound the death knell for regulated electric utilities. In fact, this would-be disruptor creates a huge growth opportunity for incumbent power producers.

Winners and Losers from the EPA’s Clean Power Plan

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 22, 2015

Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued final rules designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. We run through the winners and losers from this new policy.

The Truth about Green Energy

By Roger S. Conrad on May. 5, 2015

In the US, renewable-energy developers continue to reap the rewards of favorable policies at the state and federal level. However, concerns about rising electricity costs and general opposition to government subsidies raise questions about whether this support will continue.