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.

Flying home from our conference in Victoria, and looking out the window of the airplane taking me home, I begin to understand the vast opportunity we have by looking over the rooftops of homes and business parks alike.

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.

As President-elect Obama toots his green-energy horn, the smart money in Silicon Valley is reversing its position on the moneymaking potential of wind, solar and geothermal power sources.

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…

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.

Mother Nature has its own beating in store for already battered solar energy stocks. As if the plunging price of oil wasn’t enough to bring solar stocks to their knees, the new report by the United Nations shows how China’s toxic pollution may hinder the development of the country’s burgeoning solar industry.

Energy investors may find themselves at odds in weighing whether to put their money into fossil fuels or green alternatives. Two separate articles in today’s Wall Street Journal provide a good backdrop for the current dilemma. Ultimately, we’re of the opinion that it’s still too early for alternative energy to make a convincing business case.

The election last night of Barack Obama to the White House has many green investors cheering, but their elation may be short-lived. For one, the ROI of alternative energy is still pegged to the price of fossil fuels. Second, environmentalists may find themselves at cross-purposes with one faction leading the charge for a greener grid while the other seeks to protect endangered species and offshore territory from solar arrays and wind farms.

Incoming president Barack Obama is expected to increase spending and provide new incentives to develop alternative energy. This provides a great opportunity for investors, says Sara Nunnally. She expects international companies like Acciona SA (MCE:ANA) from Spain to play a major role in expanding clean energy in the US.