Let’s review Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ:SZYM), SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) and KiOR Inc (NASDAQ:KIOR)and decide if any of them could constitute a good investment idea going forward.
Jet fuel and snack foods
Solazyme’s technology converts sugar into high-value tailored oils, biofuels, and low-cholesterol and healthy nutritional ingredients. The company is partnered with companies like Unilever, ADM and Bunge, and with institutions like the US Navy.
Solazyme’s first large plant is expected to come on line in Brazil as soon as Q4 2013. The new plant is expected to be the first out of many steps into the company’s continued value creation process.
Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ:SZYM) is still losing money, but the reason is simple: The company is investing for growth. Its joint ventures (JVs) with top global enterprises assure not only revenues, but also fair profit margins.
Sales in 2012 were $44 million; they’re expected to grow to $55 million in 2013, and jump to more than $250 million by the end of 2014. With plenty of cash in its balance sheet to develop its plans, I think Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ:SZYM) is the best bet in the biofuels space.
Here comes the sun
SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) is a rapidly growing energy service provider in the distributed solar generation market. Lower panel prices, rising retail electricity prices, and stable federal incentives have enabled a new class of downstream companies such as SolarCity to become viable.
This fast-growing company installs its solar panel devices onto your home, office or corporate roof free of charge. It then makes back the cost of installation by charging you very cheaply for the energy you use. If your roof produces more energy than you actually use, you get a credit into your next bill. The system runs smoothly, saving money for consumers and emissions for the whole community!
SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) is still losing money under GAAP accounting rules, but it’s also in its heavy investment cycle, and its revenue is gaining traction. While 2012 revenue landed just below $130 million, the company is expecting $150 million for this year, and more than $220 million for 2014.
When looking at SolarCity’s results, remember that GAAP numbers could be misleading. Lease revenues are recognized over 20 years, and the cost of goods sold over 30 years — but most of the operating expenses are recognized in the period incurred. This means that GAAP losses can be substantial, as long as the company shows strong growth.
Knowing some accounting is key when looking at this new company. SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) is incredibly-well managed, and an intriguing pick among U.S.-related solar energy investments.
Turning wood and waste into fuel
KiOR Inc (NASDAQ:KIOR) is another high-growth company that’s incredibly well managed and poised to benefit from current trends in the clean energy market. The company has a thermochemical process to turn low-value non-food wood and waste agricultural residues into valuable non-ethanol biofuels.
This means that KiOR has managed to produce a renewable crude oil substitute. Even without subsidies, KiOR can turn a profit as long as oil stays at or above $70 a barrel. The first large commercial plant has started producing renewable oil, and it’s currently being optimized to reach targeted yields and utilization rates. As the commercial economics are proven at scale, I think KiOR will end up being a profitable enterprise after 2015. The company should be considered a start-up.
KiOR Inc (NASDAQ:KIOR) had revenues of $1.2 million in 2012, and expects just under $18 million for 2013.
A tidy profit from clean energy?
As an amateur on clean energy, I think that Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ:SZYM) and SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) are compelling investments. I am sure they have the chance to convert themselves into great companies given their market positioning, the quality of their management, and the quality of their business partners.
KiOR Inc (NASDAQ:KIOR) also looks like an interesting proposition, but it’s way too soon to tell how the renewable oil market will develop in the US.
If you liked these companies, go and research further into their respective markets. You might even conclude (as I did) that this three stocks are the best in their class.
The article 3 High-Growth Stocks in Clean Energy originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Federico Zaldua.
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