Solar energy investing: what's happening in the solar market?

You’ve heard it all before—myriad reasons why you should invest in solar technologies now, while the iron’s hot. If you’re expecting one of those typical news hooks, suspending popular belief, you won’t find it here. You should invest in solar companies, and here is Clean Energy Authority’s rundown of what’s going on in the solar market this week.

Almost every 2011 projection of the solar industry has predicted expansion on the horizon. The industry is looking very healthy, but some companies are actually surpassing expectations.

Worldwide Energy & Manufacturing USA (OTCBB: WEMU), a San Francisco-based photovoltaic-module provider, recently announced that it has been achieving above and beyond the already surprising growth of the rest of the industry.

iSuppli, a market intelligence service, reported that global photovoltaic installations grew 120.5 percent in 2010. Worldwide, maker of the Amerisolar brand modules, are projecting a stunning 165 percent increase in revenue, making the company one of the industry leaders.

"Our ongoing goal is to continue to strive for company growth that is in excess of the PV solar industry," said Worldwide CEO Jimmy Wang.

But don’t let Worldwide’s success seem indicative of other U.S.-based companies—Amerisolar modules are actually manufactured in China for the time being.

Chinese company Jinko Solar (NYSE: JKS) is weeks away from announcing its Q4 and full 2010 results to investors and the public.

At 8 a.m. ET on Feb. 28, the company is hosting a conference call, open to the public.

Last week, TheStreet reported that Jinko’s shares were up 6 percent. Following this news, Goldman Sachs issued a downgrade to Jinko, assuming that the stock had peaked. Not so. Yesterday, Jinko shares rose another 7 percent. The announcement of the 2010 financials will either add weight to Goldman’s bleak outlook last week, or establish Jinko Solar as a major player.

To access the conference call, dial 1-866-519-4004, pass code: J inko S olar. Jinko asks that you call at least 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. The call is toll free.

Another conference call taking place in February will unveil SunPower’s (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) 2010 year-end financials. SunPower, one of busiest U.S.-based solar suppliers, has had a banner year.

The company announced Q3 revenues at $743.7 million, a 19-percent increase from Q2’s $625.1 million.

And Comtex reported yesterday that SunPower shares were trading up 5.9 percent.

To access SunPower’s conference call, dial 517-623-4618, pass code SunPower. The call is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. PT on Feb. 17.

And back to China we go.

Chinese firms LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK), China Sunergy (Nasdaq: CSUN), and JA Solar (Nasdaq: JASO) were all cited in Zack.com’s recent Industry Highlights. Each company achieved Zack.com’s #1 Rank (short-term, strong buy rating).

The report cited current subsidies and rebates, environmental advantages, and the lack of fuel-cost risks, insuring that solar will continue to be in demand, cost effective, and continue to experience growth worldwide.

Because of China’s aggressive solar capacity goals for 2020, Zacks.com said that the above companies stand to benefit.

But solar’s popularity doesn’t only affect solar prices—inverters, semi-conductors, and micro grids are all riding the wave in 2011.

However, these markets are not matching the pace of solar modules. In fact, semi-conductor manufacturer Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) is showing a slowdown into 2011. The company predicts that revenue in 2011 will, most likely, be similar to 2010’s, without a significant increase.

Applied Materials is, however, trying to scale-down its chip-equipment business and is concentrating on semi-conductors tailor-made for the solar technologies.

Pictured: Ever wonder why every photo from the stock exchange floor is blurry? Well, these people don't ever stop moving. Image courtesy of masslive.com