Last Friday, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG ) announced Project Loon, an experiment aimed at ultimately bringing affordable Internet access to the two-thirds of the global population that currently does not have it. The project relies on a collection of balloons that will float 12.5 miles in the air to create an Internet network capable of delivery speeds similar to 3G access. The balloons uses complex algorithms, wind, and solar power to stay aloft and navigate to the positions needed to achieve the goal.
In the video below, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman explores the project and discusses why it's important to Google -- and investors.
As one of the most dominant Internet companies ever, Google has made a habit of driving strong returns for its shareholders. However, like many other web companies, it's also struggling to adapt to an increasingly mobile world. Despite gaining an enviable lead with its Android operating system, the market isn't sold. That's why it's more important than ever to understand each piece of Google's sprawling empire. In The Motley Fool's new premium research report on Google, we break down the risks and potential rewards for Google investors. Simply click here now to unlock your copy of this invaluable resource.
Hot Companies To Invest In Right Now: JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.(JASO)
JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of photovoltaic solar cells and solar products, which convert sunlight into electricity in the People's Republic of China. The company?s principal products include monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cells, as well as various solar modules. It also provides silicon wafer and solar cell processing services. The company sells its products primarily under the JA Solar brand name, as well as produces equipment for original equipment manufacturing customers under their brand names. It sells its solar cell and module products primarily to module manufacturers, system integrators, project developers, and distributors in the Germany, Italy, the United States, Hong Kong, Spain, India, the Czech Republic, France, and South Korea. The company has strategic partnerships with various solar power companies, such as BP Solar, Solar-Fabrik, and MEMC/SunEdison. JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. was founded in 2005 and is based in Shanghai, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Kell and Tess Stynes var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); p]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are Keurig Green Mountain Inc.(GMCR), JA Solar Holdings Co.(JASO) and Five Prime Therapeutics Inc.(FPRX)
- [By Dan Caplinger]
Finally, beyond the Dow, Chinese solar stock JA Solar (NASDAQ: JASO ) has dropped 9.1% following an analyst downgrade. Despite soaring sales during the past quarter, with particularly strong growth in the Japanese market, JA Solar still isn't close to making money and has to rely on the potential for module prices to rise once some of its Chinese competitors drop out of the picture. Funding sources continue to provide financing to many struggling Chinese solar companies, and this forestalling of the day of reckoning is bad for companies like JA Solar that would benefit the most from a shakeout.
- [By Travis Hoium]
What: After a two-day run-up in solar stocks, the party ended quickly, and every stock in the industry is dropping like a rock. Suntech Power (NYSE: STP ) led the declines by falling 23%, and LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK ) , Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE ) , and JA Solar (NASDAQ: JASO ) all dropped at least 15%.
Top 5 Solar Companies To Own In Right Now: LDK Solar Co. Ltd.(LDK)
LDK Solar Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of photovoltaic (PV) products; and development of power plant projects. It offers solar-grade and semiconductor-grade polysilicon; and multicrystalline and monocrystalline solar wafers to the manufacturers of solar cells and solar modules. The company also provides wafer processing services to monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cell and module manufacturers; and sells silicon materials, such as ingots and polysilicon scraps. In addition, it engages in the production and sale of solar cells and modules to developers, distributors, and system integrators; and design and development of solar power projects in Europe, the United States, and China, as well as provides engineering, procurement, and construction services. LDK Solar Co., Ltd. operates in Europe, the Asia Pacific, and North America. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Xinyu City, t he People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK ) fell 11% today after the company issued its first-quarter earnings report.
So what: Sales during the quarter were just $104.3 million on shipments of 240 MW of wafers and 31.4 MW of cells and modules. Net loss was a whopping $187.1 million, or $1.21 per share. �
- [By Dan Caplinger]
The state of the Chinese solar industry has grown increasingly dire recently, as Suntech Power defaulted on its bonds rather than receive an anticipated bailout from the Chinese government. LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK ) has also faced big problems, having "partially defaulted" on bonds last month and negotiating a settlement with many of the bondholders. Yet although ReneSola has similar debt challenges, it was able to secure a $51 million loan from the China Development Bank, giving it more breathing room to try to work its way out of its financial troubles.
- [By Dan Caplinger]
Next Tuesday, LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK ) will release its latest quarterly results. Lately, investors have had to wonder whether the Chinese solar company will be able to continue operating, as LDK is one of many solar companies in the emerging-market nation going through a cash crunch due to large losses.
- [By Rich Smith]
China's LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK ) defaulted on a scheduled payment on $23.8 million in convertible senior notes yesterday, sending shares of the vertically integrated solar power company tumbling.
Top 5 Solar Companies To Own In Right Now: Hanwha SolarOne Co. Ltd.(HSOL)
Hanwha Solarone Co., Ltd., an investment holding company, engages in the manufacture and sale of silicon ingots, silicon wafers, and PV cells and modules. The company also offers mono crystalline and multi crystalline silicon cells; and provides PV module processing services. It sells its products to solar power system integrators and distributors primarily in Germany, Italy, Australia, the United States, the Czech Republic, Spain, and China. The company was formerly known as Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. and changed its name to Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. in December 2010. Hanwha Solarone Co., Ltd. was founded in 2004 and is based in Qidong, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Paul Ausick]
Big Earnings Movers: Hanwha SolarOne Ltd. (NASDAQ: HSOL) is down 6.8% at $3.68. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: HOV) is up 2.2% at $5.15.
Stocks on the move: Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) is up 9.3% at $21.74 after being adding to the S&P 500 index. BlackBerry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) is up 6.4% at $11.53 on reports that a former board member has nearly lined up financing to take the company private. Molex Inc. (NASDAQ: MOLX) is up 31.6% at $38.60 following an agreement to be acquired by Koch Industries Inc.
Top 5 Solar Companies To Own In Right Now: First Solar Inc.(FSLR)
First Solar, Inc. manufactures and sells solar modules using a thin-film semiconductor technology. It also designs, constructs, and sells photovoltaic solar power systems. The company?s solar modules employ a thin layer of semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity. Its integrated solar power systems activities include the project development; engineering, procurement, and construction services; operating and maintenance services; and project finance. The company sells solar modules to project developers, system integrators, and operators of renewable energy projects; and solar power systems to investor owned utilities, independent power developers and producers, and commercial and industrial companies, as well as other system owners. It operates in the United States, Germany, France, Canada, and internationally. The company was formerly known as First Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to First Solar, Inc. in 2006. First Solar was founded in 1999 a nd is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
Earnings and First Solar's guidance
First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR ) was the biggest newsmaker this week when it met with investors to give guidance and a technology roadmap for the future. I took a detailed look at the presentations here, but there are a few takeaways for the whole industry. - [By Travis Hoium]
When First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR ) announced the acquisition of TetraSun yesterday it really announced a fundamental shift in the company's strategy. It isn't giving up on thin film, not yet, but it is laying the groundwork for a future without its familiar CdTe panels. TetraSun is an investment in crystalline silicon solar cells that First Solar has been fighting against for over a decade. Silicon has won the battle, and now even First Solar will join the crowd.
- [By Sean Williams]
Leading the charge higher is solar panel specialist First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR ) , which advanced 11.8% after securing a deal to sell its 139MW Campo Verde solar farm to Southern Company and its partner Turner Renewable Energy. Utilities like Southern Co. are scrambling to incorporate renewable energies into their portfolio as the traditional costs of nuclear energy rise in price. First Solar continues to find itself in better shape each week as China's solar panel producers struggle under a molehill of debt, weak pricing, and U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar panels. With a treasure trove of backlogged deals, First Solar is realizing the benefits of producing highly efficient panels.
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