Solar Stocks On Fire

Solar plays have been and continue to one of the hottest theme plays so far in 2007. Clean energy in any form (including nuclear) is a theme that will continue to remain in favor for the foreseeable future so long as there is concern about global warming and increasing demand for energy. I don't see how either issue is going away anytime soon unlike many "theme-based" investments we've seen come and go over the past few years. (Remember the Atkins diet plays?)

This point continues to come up daily in my own screens, especially the technical ones that specifically find stocks that are most heavily under accumulation. Case in point, Amtech Systems (ASYS) is one of today's top gainers primarily due to its exposure to solar power.

Like the water plays, I think we're only in the beginning stages of this trend. As an investor (versus short-term trader) I've been spending much more time than usual to identify companies that stand to benefit the most for that very reason.