Solar ETFs are in the new because of a spectacular decline in 2011 caused mainly by the massive oversupply of Chinese solar panels.This has resulted in the two solar ETFs TAN and KWT making new all times lows.The main reason is the huge negative sentiment towards green energy stocks in general because of the lack of support towards climate change and over competition from Asian companies.However the Solar Industry is one of the best growth industries and the leaders who come out of this consolidation will have a bright future.You can see the 100 solar energy stocks to pick up what you think would be the leader.For less ambitious mortals you can look to pick up the TAN Guggenheim ETF which is the biggest solar ETF.You can also look at the comparison between TAN and KWT to decide on what to buy.Note Solar Energy’s biggest advantage is the falling costs of solar panels which is bad for the solar companies but great of solar demand and customers.When the weaker hands go out of business which is already happening (Solyndra),the solar companies that remain will make huge profits as they did in 2010 when demand surged by 150%.

Guggenheim Solar Ticker

The Guggenheim Solar ETF has the ticker TAN

TAN SOLAR HOLDINGS/COMPONENTS

Solar  Polysilicon  and Wafers Stocks

1. GCL Poly (3800.HK)( The biggest solar wafer producer in the world,trades in Hong Kong,makes polysilicon also)
2. LDK Solar (LDK) ( The second biggest wafer producer,now a major solar panel seller as well,makes polysilicon also)
3. Renesola (SOL) (One of the cheapest solar wafer manufacturers,makes polysilicon also)
4. Renewable Energy Corporation (REC.OL)(Norwegian company producers poly,cells and modules in Singapore)
5. MEMC Electronics ( WFR) ( Company makes semiconductor wafers and is one the biggest US Solar EPC/Integrators)
6. Daqo New Energy (DQ)
7. PV Cyrstalox Solar (OVCS.L)( Small German producer of solar wafers,survival in question)

Solar Cells Stocks

1. JA Solar (JASO) ( The Biggest Solar Cell Producer in the World)
2. Q-Cells (QCE.DE) The largest solar producer of cells in 2008 faced a horrendous 2009 running losses of as high as Euro 1 billion)

Solar Panels Stocks

1. Suntech (STP) ( The biggest Chinese solar panel producer in the world)
2. Trina Solar (TSL) ( The most valued Chinese solar panel supplier)
3. Yingli Green Energy (YGE) ( Top 3 Chinese solar panel supplier)
4. Jinko Solar (JKS)
5. Canadian Solar (CSIQ) (Despite Canadian in the name is one of the biggest Chinese solar panel suppliers)
6. Sunpower Corporation (SPWRA)( Makes the Most Efficiency Solar Panels,bought by French Giant Total)
7. Hanwha Solar One (HSOL) ( Earlier known as Solarfun,bought by South Korean Conglomerate Hanwha)
8. Solarworld (SWV.DE)– Solarworld is the Biggest German producer of solar panels,the company is one of the few to still have operations in Europe and USA)
9. China Sunenergy(CSUN) (A Small China Solar Energy Cell and Panel Supplier)

Solar Integrators/Installers Stocks

1. Phoenix Solar (PS4.DE)(German installer with operations around the world)
2. Conergy(Once the biggest solar installations company,now fallen on hard times)
3. Solaria Energie(Spanish installer )

Solar Inverters Stocks

1. SMA Solar (S92.DE) The Big Daddy of the Solar Inverter Market with a   40% Marketshare of the Global Market
2. Power-One (PWER)  The US power management company has shown the fastest growth in 2010
3. Satcon (SATC) (Small USA based solar inverter supplier)

Solar Encapsulants

STRI Holdings ( STRI) ( The biggest suppliers of encapsulants used in solar panels in the world,based in USA)

Solar Material Suppliers

1. SolarGiga ( Chinese Solar Wafer and Metal Paste Producer)

Thin Film Solar Panel Stocks

1. Trony Solar (ASTI)  (Largest seller of Thin Film Panels in China)
2.  Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) After First Solar,Energy Conversion Devices seemed the mostly likely viable company in Thin Film Technology
3. First Solar (FSLR) (Biggest Solar Thin Film Producer in the World)

Solar Equipment Stocks

1. GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) ( US based supplier of polysilicon and wafer equipment to Chinese companies)
2. Meyer Burger (MBTN.SW) ( Swiss company recently bought Roth &Rau)
3. Centrotherm (CTN.DE) ( One of the top 3 solar equipment sellers based in German)
4. Manz Automation (M5Z.DE)( Another small German company
5. Amtech Systems (ASYS)

TAN Index

This ETF follows the equity index called the MAC Global Solar Energy Index (SUNIDX)

TAN Expense Ratio 

The Expense Ratio of this ETF is somewhere in the middle with 0.65%.It was started in 2008.The 52 Week High is 9.16 and low is as $3.56 .The Investment Adviser is

Top Holdings

The ETF’s top holding First Solar accounts for around15 % .The other holdings like GTAT,Trina Solar,GCL,Meyer Burger and MEMC are lower at around 5-9%.The ETF has 37 Holdings with a P/E of 9.1 and a P/B of 1.5x.The Beta is quite high at 2.07.Note this is of 30th June 2011.Since then the valuation has come down by almost 30% which means that P/E is around 6x and P/B is nearer to 1x making it a value ETF rather than a growth ETF

Geographic Diversification

The company is quite well diversified with USA 39%,China 34% and Germany at  15%.You can find out more update information here

Also look at the Wind Energy ETF Analysis