Clean energy ETFs became hugely popular in 2007. But they’ve been taking a beating since this August, when crude oil prices began to fall from their year highs.

Nevertheless, Jim Stanton says alternative energy — and the wind-energy market in particular — has a big future. Wind energy is already the second largest source of new power generation in the US, and it now has the backing of the much-hyped Pickens Plan.

Jim says two clean-energy ETFs that look undervalued right now are PBW and GEX. He also recommends FAN for a more wind-specific ETF. 

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.

We’re standing on the tracks and the train is coming, says Wayne Mulligan. But that’s no reason for investors to not play the market. Wayne says going long on discount retailers is the best way to profit from low consumer confidence. And with fuel prices on an unsustainable uptrend, investors should look to the alternative energy market. Meanwhile, the auto industry is facing ruin. A clear opportunity for shorting, says Wayne.

The United Nations announced yesterday (Wednesday) that an additional $20 billion would be needed each year to combat global hunger.

Exactly 12 months ago, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at just under $63 a barrel.

The PowerShares Clean Energy ETF (PBW) debuted in April 2005.

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.

When the leader of the United Nation’s World Food Programme warned that a “silent tsunami” of hunger is sweeping the globe because of soaring food prices, a lot of folks probably viewed it as just another clever sound bite tossed off by a bureaucrat.

After a strong 2007 campaign, solar stocks - and the overall clean energy sector - fell hard in the first quarter of 2008. The PowerShares Wilder Hill Clean Energy Portfolio (PBW), an industry standard, plunged nearly 30%.