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Watch NowWhy It Matters
The sun is the best source of renewable energy.
To solve climate change, our civilization needs to move away from burning fossil fuels to power our machinery, cars, homes, businesses, and buildings. Instead, we need to generate that power through renewable and clean sources.
The best source of renewable energy is the sun. It's abundant, free, and we can easily convert into readily usable electricity. Photovoltaic or PV solar panels have emerged as the predominant way of doing just that. The silicon that makes up a solar panel harvests the photons streaming to earth from the sun. Inside the panel's hermetically sealed environment, photons energize electrons and create electrical current - from light to voltage.
The solar industry has been growing fast and, according to the International Energy Agency, solar panels are now the cheapest source of electricity in most places on Earth. When installed as utility-scale solar farms, they emit 94% fewer greenhouse gases compared to coal plants while generating tens or hundreds of megawatts.
Solar PV needs to keep scaling.
Solar has been doing the heavy-lifting in the transition to a decarbonized energy system, but we need it to do more.
According to Project Drawdown, 0.4% of global electricity is currently generated by both utility-scale and rooftop solar PV. If utility-scale solar can grow to 10% and rooftop solar to 7% of global electricity generation, they could avoid more than 60 gigatons of CO2 emissions by 2050.
These companies are making it happen.
To achieve that 2050 goal, we need companies that offer solar PV to expand as quickly as possible.
In the Climate Index, we take all of the companies that develop and manufacture solar systems that are traded on US stock markets. We exclude penny stocks whose share prices were lower than $0.50 in our last update. Finally, we also exclude companies that derive more revenue from fossil fuel-dependent business than they do from solar energy development or solar panel manufacturing.
If you are a Carbon Collective member, you own all of these companies through the Climate Index.
Solar Energy Stocks in the Climate Index
View All Climate Index Stocks →
| Allocated | Company | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
2.00% |
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Enphase Energy (ENPH) | Enphase makes micro-inverters, which are critical components in making rooftop solar more efficient. It's a key solution to expanding rooftop solar |
1.18% |
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SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG) | SolarEdge makes power optimizer, solar inverter and monitoring systems for rooftop solar. These are key equipment in making solar power more efficient |
0.82% |
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|
First Solar (FSLR) | First Solar makes innovative solar panels from a single glass substrate, making it possible to make panels in one factory in 4.5 hours |
0.76% |
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|
Sunrun (RUN) | Sunrun makes and installs residential solar energy systems. Solar is a crucial centerpiece of electrifying everything |
0.36% |
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Daqo New Energy (DQ) | Daqo makes high-purity silicon that goes into solar panel. This is a critical ingredient in converting sunlight into electricity |
0.36% |
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|
Sunpower (SPWR) | Sunpower offers residential and commercial solar power systems and solar storage. Rooftop solar PV is one of the keys to an emissions-free energy system |
0.33% |
|
Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) | Shoals makes all of the components necessary for solar PV systems to connect to the grid. They’re helping expand solar energy |
0.31% |
|
Sunnova (NOVA) | Sunnova provides residential solar and energy storage systems in the United States. Both are critical for electrifying the energy system |
0.17% |
|
Array Technologies, Inc. (ARRY) | Array Technologies offers machine learning-based solutions that track the sun so that solar PV systems can generate more electricity |
0.17% |
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Jinko Solar (JKS) | Jinko Solar is the largest solar panel maker in the world and heavy investor in solar R&D. They’re a key player in expanding solar energy |
0.16% |
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Canadian Solar (CSIQ) | Canadian Solar makes and ships solar panels all over the world. This is critical for electrifying everything |
0.14% |
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Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (ROCK) | Gibraltar Industries makes the mounting racks for solar panels that are tailor-made for the buildings and fields where solar systems will be placed |
0.07% |
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|
Azure Power (AZRE) | Azure Power develops solar power for central and state government utilities in India. Solar power is a key centerpiece of a zero-emissions energy system |
0.07% |
|
Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. (MAXN) | Maxeon Solar Technologies makes solar panels and related solar system components worldwide - a critical piece in a zero-emissions energy mix of the future |
0.05% |
|
FTC Solar, Inc. (FTCI) | FTC Solar offers solar tracker systems so that solar PV systems can produce more electricity. Expanding solar energy is key to a decarbonized world |
0.03% |
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Renesola Power (SOL) | Renesola Power develops utility-scale solar projects in over 10 countries. This is the type of effort needed to scale solar power to electrify the grid |
0.02% |
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|
iSun, Inc. (ISUN) | iSun is one of the biggest commercial solar developers in the US. They’re a valuable contributor to expanding solar power |
0.02% |
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|
Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (OEG) | Orbital Energy offers engineering, construction, and maintenance for utility-scale solar systems. They help expand solar power |
0.02% |
|
SPI Energy Co., Ltd. (SPI) | SPI Energy develops solar PV solutions for businesses, residential, government and utility customers. Expanding solar is key to a clean energy system |
0.02% |
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|
Sunworks (SUNW) | Sunworks makes solar power systems for a wide range of markets. Solar is a key zero-carbon energy source |
