NEW YORK (AP) -- Solar-power stocks were mixed Thursday, one day after a big rally, as investors tried to sort out whether alternative energy's time has arrived.
Low prices for natural gas, overcapacity of solar- and wind-power equipment, and reduced solar tax incentives are among the challenges facing alternative-energy companies.
Last week Bank of America analysts warned that an upturn in alternative energy could take time. "More pain before the gain," was how they summed up the 2012 outlook.
Solar investors have been cheered by other developments, including an announcement this week from Germany's electric-grid regulator that the country installed a record amount of solar panels in December. Germany is the world's biggest solar-power market.
In trading Thursday, shares of Trina Solar Ltd. soared 89 cents, up 9.4 percent, to close at $10.32. The shares gained 26 percent Wednesday. Renesola Ltd. gained 9 cents, or 4 percent, to close at $2.34 a day after rising 32 percent.
On the down side, LDK Solar Co. followed up Wednesday's 19 percent rise by dropping 24 cents, or 4.4 percent, to close at $5.28; Suntech Power Holdings Co., which rose 27 percent Wednesday, fell 10 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $3.16 on Thursday; and First Solar Inc. lost 21 cents to close at $41.59 a day after gaining 6 percent.
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