Here Comes the Sun: 10 Solar Stocks on the Rise

Increased attention on solar energy is impacting stocks.

By John Csiszar May 4, 2021 Stocks 101

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The solar industry has been a hotbed for speculative investors for years, but it's right on the cusp of going mainstream. Thanks to a number of factors, from the new, pro-solar Biden administration to lower manufacturing costs and greater social awareness, solar stocks are gaining mainstream investment attention. As with many nascent industries, there will no doubt be winners and losers in the solar space, and it will take some work on the part of investors to pick the companies that will remain standing.

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Consult with your financial advisor and do some of your own research to find out which of these stocks, if any, belong in your portfolio. Here's a look at 10 solar and solar-related stocks that have had varying levels of success over recent years.

Last updated: May 4, 2021

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Sunworks Inc. (SUNW)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $25.83
Jan. 2, 2020: $1.25
Jan. 4, 2021: $4.70
April 26, 2021: $12.33

Percent Changes

2016-Present: -52.26%
2020-Present: 886.40%
January-Present: 162.34%

See: 10 of the Most Environmentally Friendly Companies in the US

2/10

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Dago New Energy Corp. (DQ)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $3.32
Jan. 2, 2020: $11.00
Jan. 4, 2021: $62.33
April 26, 2021: $91.99

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 2,670.78%
2020-Present: 736.27%
January-Present: 47.59%

Discover: How Will Ongoing Climate Change Efforts Impact US Jobs?

3/10

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Enphase Energy Inc. (ENPH)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $3.49
Jan. 2, 2020: $29.34
Jan. 4, 2021: $172.24
April 26, 2021: $172.65

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 4,846.99%
2020-Present: 488.45%
January-Present: 0.24%

More: Top Environmentally-Friendly Companies To Invest In

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Beam Global (BEEM)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $6.50
Jan. 2, 2020: $4.57
Jan. 4, 2021: $55.81
April 26, 2021: $35.79

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 450.62%
2020-Present: 683.15%
January-Present: -35.87%

Read: How Climate Change Will Affect Your Investment Opportunities

5/10

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ReneSola Ltd. ADR (SOL)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $9.10
Jan. 2, 2020: $1.40
Jan. 4, 2021: $12.77
April 26, 2021: $10.55

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 15.93%
2020-Present: 653.57%
January-Present: -17.38%

See: Green Tax Credits That’ll Save You Hundreds When You File

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Sunpower Corp. (SPWR)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $19.88
Jan. 2, 2020: $5.13
Jan. 4, 2021: $25.31
April 26, 2021: $29.49

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 48.34%
2020-Present: 474.85%
January-Present: 16.52%

Find Out: Joe Biden’s Plans for the Shocking Costs of Climate Change

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SolarEdge Technologies Inc. (SEDG)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $28.00
Jan. 2, 2020: $101.81
Jan. 4, 2021: $311.35
April 26, 2021: $289.55

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 934.11%
2020-Present: 184.40%
January-Present: -7.00%

Related: Building a Green(er) Portfolio

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Sunrun Inc. (RUN)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $11.21
Jan. 2, 2020: $14.19
Jan. 4, 2021: $69.98
April 26, 2021: $56.85

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 407.14%
2020-Present: 300.63%
January-Present: -18.76%

Read: 16 Companies That Have Pledged To Go Carbon Neutral

9/10

Mimadeo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure Plc (AY)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $18.62
Jan. 2, 2020: $26.29
Jan. 4, 2021: $39.29
April 26, 2021: $39.76

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 113.53%
2020-Present: 51.24%
January-Present: 1.20%

See: 8 Jobs That Are Helping To Fight Climate Change

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Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure (HASI)

Close Prices

Jan. 4, 2016: $18.83
Jan. 2, 2020: $31.42
Jan. 4, 2021: $62.91
April 26, 2021: $56.31

Percent Changes

2016-Present: 199.04%
2020-Present: 79.22%
January-Present: -10.49%

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Methodology: In order to identify solar stocks that are on the rise, GOBankingRates looked at the constituents of the Invesco Solar ETF and created a list of major solar companies traded in U.S. exchanges. Then, GOBankingRates used Google Finance data to find each stock's closing price on (1) January 4, 2016, (2) January 2, 2020, (3) January 4, 2021, and (4) April 27, 2021. Then, GOBankingRates calculated the percent change in closing price between each of the three past markers and the closing price on April 27, 2021. Stocks were then scored against each other on the percent by which their value increased or decreased over each period and the top ten stocks with the best cumulative score were identified as those "on the rise." Stocks which were not publicly traded through the entirety of the selected timeframe were excluded. All data was collected on and up to date as of April 27, 2021.

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.