Nuclear jitters brighten solar industry's path

[Fledermaus]

There is silver lining from this spring's political and nuclear crises for the fast-growing solar industry, whose fortunes depend on government subsidies and public interest in alternative and renewable energy sources.

Unease about nuclear power has grown for nearly three weeks, as workers at Japan's stricken Fukushima-Dai-ichi nuclear plant failed to contain damage or prevent the release of radioactive materials. That's led some countries to question plans for heavy investment in nuclear power generation.

As more buyers and investment enter the market, the costs of solar and wind generation fall, and the long-term result could be continued share price increases for related companies, according to a research note Tuesday from Kaufman Bros. analyst Jeffrey Bencik.

President Barack Obama and other leaders say nuclear growth still is needed to meet global energy demand. But as the relative prices of solar and wind energy decrease, solar companies are poised to benefit, Bencik said.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9M932A00.htm

[ladjf]

1. .... as well as the entire array of alternate energy sources. ntr