Clean Energy: Bright Future, Despite 'Challenging' Economic Outlook

Energy Resource, March 25, 2008

ENERGY RESOURCE-25 March 2008-Clean Energy: Bright Future, Despite 'Challenging' Economic Outlook(C)2008 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Clean energy shows no signs of a slowdown in 2008, despite a challenging economic outlook, according to Clean Edge.

San Francisco-based Clean Edge, which has tracked the sector since 2000, reports that revenue growth in the four benchmark clean energy industries -- wind, solar, bio-fuels and fuel cells -- is up 40% and predicted to triple over the next decade to "an astonishing $254 billion."

The growth, according to Clean Edge, has meant that investment capital has poured into the sector -- with clean energy stocks easily outpacing the broader markets. The NASDAQ's "Clean Edge" index was up 66.67 percent last year, compared to just 3.53 percent for the S&P 500 and 9.81 percent for the NASDAQ Composite.

Clean Edge sponsors the NASDAQ "Clean Edge" index and publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report which was referenced for this update.

Even better news, says Clean Edge: "as spectacular as overall clean energy index returns have been lately wind and solar companies in particular have fared even better."

Shares of Emcore Corp. climbed after Jeffries & Co analyst John Lau issued an upbeat opinion about the company's solar-power business expansion. Demand for photovoltaic panels used to generate solar power is at record levels and analysts at Bank of America are recommending Suntech Power, one of the industry's largest manufacturers, Clean Edge reports.

Wind energy companies are also reaping the benefits of the clean power surge. CNBC guest analyst Francis Gaskins recently published a new higher $4.00 target on NACEL Energy. NACEL Energy shares have jumped more than 60% since its IPO December 10, 2007 -- the company develops utility class wind turbine power projects, such as its recently announced Blue Creek 20-megawatt facility north of Amarillo, TX.

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