We recently published a list of 11 Best Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) stands against other best alternative energy stocks to buy now.
The global energy market is going through a massive change as alternative energy sources are becoming increasingly popular and the world transitions away from fossil fuels. Governments, corporations, and investors are now prioritizing renewable energy sources. This is powered by favorable policies, technological advancements, and the rising demand for energy due to emerging industries like AI-driven data centers. Thus, energy stocks are becoming an attractive investment opportunity as the world moves toward sustainable energy alternatives.
Accordingly, global clean energy deployment hit a new record in 2023, driven by a growth of 85% in solar PV and 60% in wind capacity, as per the International Energy Agency (IEA). Investment in solar exceeded all other energy sources, breaching the $500 billion mark, as per the World Economic Forum. On the other hand, investments in battery storage surpassed $50 billion, adding to the strength of the energy storage solutions. Thus, these investments point toward the increasing demand for renewables in the global energy mix.
The acceleration of this transition has been majorly supported by federal policies. Initiatives worldwide, like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the U.S., have fostered the expansion of clean energy by presenting tax credits and incentives for renewable energy projects. Utility-scale solar and wind additions made up 90% of the total new capacity additions, up from 57% in 2023, according to a report by Deloitte.
The demand for electricity is also increasing as the expansion of AI, data centers, and cleantech manufacturing flourishes. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Energy Outlook, data centers could drive 44 GW of additional demand by 2030, adding to renewable energy solutions’ needs. Consequently, investments in solar, wind, and battery storage are expected to grow at an increasing rate.
On the other hand, nuclear energy is facing renewed interest. Although additions to nuclear capacity faced a decline in 2023, now the number of reactors globally under construction is at 58, emanating a total capacity of over 60 GW. Investments in the nuclear sector are doubled by countries like the U.S. and France, recognizing it as a potential reliable emissions-free energy solution.
Furthermore, the clean energy sector is propelled forward by increasing technological advancements and cost-cutting. The price of lithium-ion batteries has reduced by over 90% in the past decade, with a 40% decrease in 2024 alone, as reported by the World Economic Forum. AI also plays an important role in the optimization of energy storage, enhancing grid efficiency, and furthering renewable deployment.
Green hydrogen has emerged as a promising long-term solution. The capacity for hydrogen electrolyzers grew by 360% in 2023, largely due to China and the U.S. Such growth and advancements in hydrogen storage and distribution could potentially make hydrogen a viable alternative for industries requiring high-energy-density fuels.
Therefore, alternative energy stocks seem to be an attractive investment in light of strong policies, technological advancements, and increasing demand for clean energy. The Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., as well as policies in Europe and Asia, have introduced incentives to encourage companies to expand their renewable energy initiatives.
Thus, the sector is positioned to be attractive for investors in terms of long-term growth due to its swift expansion, decreasing costs, and increasing adoption by the corporate sector.
Methodology
To come up with our list of the 11 Best Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Now, we first picked companies operating in the alternative energy sector with market capitalization surpassing the $5 billion mark. We then further shortlisted these stocks on the basis of hedge fund backing, as stocks with strong hedge fund interest often prove to be financially strong, with robust growth potential.
The shortlisted stocks were then ranked using Insider Monkey’s Hedge Fund Database as of Q4 2024, as per the number of hedge funds invested in them. The companies with the highest hedge fund interest were ranked in ascending order.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A solar panel farm with an orange sky illuminating the vast landscape.
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)
Number of Hedge Funds Holders: 65
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR), a top solar technology company, specializes in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions. The company provides a lower-carbon alternative to conventional silicon-based modules as it manufactures thin-film cadmium telluride (CadTel) solar modules. First Solar caters to utilities, independent power producers, and commercial system owners, with operations spanning various international markets, including France, Chile, India, and the United States.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) reported record net sales of $4.2 billion, marking a 27% year-over-year growth. In 2024, the company sold 14.1 gigawatts of modules, adding to a year-end contracted backlog of 68.5 gigawatts valued at $20.5 billion. However, full-year diluted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $12.02, which is minorly below guidance, despite the strong sales, as it was affected by one-time manufacturing and logistics costs.
Furthermore, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) generated 9.6 gigawatts of Series 6 and 5.9 gigawatts of Series 7 modules, leading to a total of 15.5 gigawatts of solar modules in 2024. The company pursued technological advancements by presenting CuRe modules and commissioning a dedicated R&D innovation center in Ohio. Louisiana facility’s total capacity will climb to over 25 gigawatts by 2026 as it races on to its $1.1 billion construction. The facility is projected to begin its operation in late 2025.
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) manages global policy uncertainties, including trade regulations impacting Southeast Asian markets, as part of its strategic growth. The company plans to stay focused on harnessing its robust backlog to maintain prolonged growth and scaling U.S. manufacturing. Moving forward, First Solar has predicted 2025 net sales to be between $5.3 billion and $5.8 billion, with EPS forecasted at $17 to $20 per share.
Consequently, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) remains a key player in the renewable energy transition due to its innovative solar technology, firm market positions, and growing manufacturing footprint, which makes it a strong option among the Best Clean Energy Stocks.
Overall, FSLR ranks 5th on our list of best alternative energy stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of FSLR, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FSLR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
