With the announcement that it intends to build the world’s largest solar power plant, China is rapidly evolving into the world’s largest market for solar energy. And with heavy government backing, Chinese solar companies are quickly becoming global leaders.

By sucking the air out of energy prices and sapping private investment, the financial crisis submarined solar energy last fall. But a silver lining has emerged around the dark cloud that has blanketed the sector for so long.

The solar industry is a fantastic place to rake in short-term gains. But stick around too long and you will wonder if it would have been cheaper to heat your house with dollar bills.

Jim Nelson says savvy investors can make huge profits in the first 100 days of the Obama presidency. Three sectors facing a makeover under the new administration are biotechnology, renewable energy and defense. Jim says new legislation and funding could mean big gains for these three companies…

We all know about the challenges Barack Obama faces as President elect. But David Fessler says he also has an incredible opportunity to “turn the recession ship around.” David selects seven companies in the infrastructure and clean energy sectors that will profit most from an Obama ‘New Deal’.

How will the stock markets respond to a new US president? Martin Delholm says the impact will be less than some people expect. But some sectors will benefit from a regime change. With Obama the clear favourite to win, Martin recommends three clean energy stocks likely to gain from new subsidies.

Solar energy was given a boost last week after $18 billion in tax credits for clean energy were tacked on to the bailout bill to ease its passage through Congress.

Since then, however, concerns of oversupply have whacked solar stocks. This prompted Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to downgrade several solar companies to a “sell”.

J. Cristoph Amberger says the current financial crisis will hurt investment in solar power. He recommends investors sell their positions while they still can.

Investors who abandon China now will live to regret their decision, says William Patalon III in Money Morning.

William says every successful investor needs a China investing strategy, despite the fact that China’s benchmark index, the Shanghai stock index, is down 56% so far this year.

Following Jim Rogers’ bullish comments on China in a recent exclusive interview with Money Morning, Bill gives six reasons to invest in China and five solid China profit plays.

General Electric Corp. (GE) is strengthening its commitment to clean energy with a $230 million (150 million euros) investment in Spain’s Fotowatio. The investment, made through GE’s Energy Financial Services unit, will amount to a 32% stake in the solar-energy firm.

T. Boone Pickens made his fortune in oil. But now the Dallas oilman and famed former corporate raider is betting $2 billion that he can have the same success with a new source of energy – wind.