text: Is Solar Power Dead? | The Motley Fool
  Before you call the solar industry dead on arrival, read this.
  Judging by the market's reaction yesterday to First Solar's (Nasdaq: FSLR) lowered guidance, it may appear to observers that the solar market is all but dead.
  According to a recent report by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association, U.S. PV installations in the third quarter reached a record 449 MW, 140% growth year over year, more than all of the solar installed in 2009, and nearly matching the first three quarters of 2010 combined. The tremendous growth recently has been driven by massive utility scale projects from First Solar, NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), and many others.
  Judging by the outstanding growth and falling costs, the solar market in the U.S. seems to be improving quite rapidly. In fact, manufacturers such as Suntech Power (NYSE: STP), Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL), and Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) are pointing to the U.S. as one of the most stable solar markets right now.
  But that doesn't mean investors should rush into just any solar manufacturer this holiday season. As the drop in First Solar yesterday shows now every company is on the right side of industry trends. Suppliers such as LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) and JA Solar (Nasdaq: JASO) have seen sales flounder under weak demand, and low efficiency manufacturers are being hit especially hard. Stronger manufacturers with high efficiency modules have had margins squeezed, but with installers seeking quality, these companies will be the winners in the end.