Madoff Gets 150 Years; Pipeline Operators to Combine; Jobs Returns to Work at Apple; GM, Toyota Cut Ties on Auto Plant; U.S. Moves Closer to Solar Energy; Oil Rises to More Than $71; China Stops Stockpiling Metal

Solar panels offer one of the most promising futures for electricity generation. And with future generations of panels, conversion rates will skyrocket while prices drop – allowing solar power to enter into the mainstream.

An article in the New York Times last week about careers in solar energy revealed a shocking number – one that would certainly make me look elsewhere for job. As an investor, this particular number would also call into question the true growth of solar energy over the next few years.

Andrew Snyder says solar panel manufacturer XsunX (OTC:XSNX) could be a great speculative stock buy. The company has just announced a major new two-year contract that could rejuvenate its business. But with a history of false dawns, Andrew says investors must tread very carefully.

Martin Hutchinson analyses what a Democrat landslide means for investors. He says nuclear and clean energy stocks, auto manufacturers, generic drug producers and muni bonds are a “buy”. But fossil fuel companies and financial institutions should be avoided.

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.

Costs for solar thermal energy will be cheaper than coal as soon as 2020, according to a report from the US Department of Energy, making one solar ETF a great way to profit.

Google, Chevron and Goldman are all betting that this prediction is correct. This from Bloomberg:

Unlike photovoltaic solar panels that convert sunlight to electricity, solar thermal focuses sunrays with mirrors to heat oil in glass pipes to about 700 degrees Fahrenheit (370 degrees Celsius).