Chinese solarmakers will win the day: Kravetz
"The Chinese will crush them European manufacturers in up markets, and they will still make money in down markets," Kravetz, who runs Esplanade Capital in Boston, said at the Reuters 2011 Investment Outlook Summit in New York.
Kravetz, who specializes in retail and energy stocks, is betting that European solar equipment manufacturers' stock prices will fall while those of Chinese competitors will rise.
Detailing his favorite ideas for solar stocks to short, Kravetz named Germany's Solarworld and Norway's Renewable Energy Corp . On the long side, among others, he likes China's Trina Solar.
"The Europeans just can't compete," Kravetz said, because of higher labor costs, equipment prices and even electricity costs compared with the Chinese.
Solar energy has captured the interest of investors and manufacturers in the last years in a drive to go beyond traditional fuel sources like coal and natural gas.
But the early leaders in the field, European manufacturers, are now finding that Chinese competitors pose a real threat, Kravetz said.
Related News
Hydro-Quebec shocks cottage owner with $5,300 in retroactive charges
MONTREAL - A relaxing lakefront cottage has become a powerful source of stress for an Ottawa woman who Hydro-Quebec is charging $5,300 to cover what it says are years of undercharging for electricity usage.
The utility said an old analogue power meter is to blame for years of inaccurate electricity bills for the summer getaway near Gatineau, Que.
Owner Jan Hodgins does not think she should be held responsible for the mistake, nor does she understand how her usage could have surged over the years.
“I’m very hydro conscious, because I was raised that way. When you left a room, you always turned…
