First Solar is part of the emerging green sector of the stock market. As in the technology sector, a green company's returns are often dependent on the future success of their innovation. The prospect of generating earnings much larger than their current revenues gives the stock a larger potential for growth than companies in more established sectors. First Solar designs and manufactures solar panels. It currently has contracts with a dozen European companies. Its customers are in charge of the operation and distribution of the panels in solar power plants. The company has an extensive research and development arm, partnering with universities and research labs to further the efficiency of solar electricity.

As alternative sources of energy become more mainstream and oil prices begin to climb upwards again, First Solar could find itself in a very advantageous position – an early adopter in a growing market with almost limitless demand. In 2008 the price of their stock reached a high of over three hundred dollars and a low just above eighty. First Solar trades on the Nasdaq, with shares currently selling for just over a hundred dollars a share.

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