a few stats & facts

Hi guys,

Thought these points may interest:
- Since October last year the DrKW (Dresdner) Solar Index, which covers all solar companies listed in the world, has risen approximately 450%.
- This index is the number one performing index of any index in the world so far for 2006
- Some of the companies on this index have had astronomically large increases in market capitalisation in recent months. To name just a few Q Cells (a reasonably new listing, up 67% in 3 months to 3219 million euro), Solarworld (up 88% in 3 months to 3092 mill euro), and Conergy (up 82% to $1386 mill). There has also been some very large listings in the US in that time, with two companies representing some $6.5 billion euro of market cap!
- This is due largely to the sensational subsidy programs in Europe for both Solar electric (PV) and solar thermal (hot water). Yesterday's annoucement was very significant for Solco, particularly as there will be sales made to the Italian market, which is closely following Germany and Spain for the best subsidy programs (Solco is also in place in Portugal, from which they sell to Spain).
- Solco is one of the smallest companies on this index, and even after the recent run is still one of the worst performing (down 1.8% over the last 3 months). THis is a function of two major shareholders, selling stock, despite Solco's forecast to achieve its maiden profit. These shareholders sold most of their stock on Monday, and I suspect the balance on Tuesday.
- What started this run was a tip sheet in Germany called wallstreet-online.de calling a switch from Dyesol at ~ $2 to Solco at 18c. Wallstreet online is one of the largest of the tipsheets in Germany
- Large broking firms in Europe such as Dresdner and Credit Suisse are extensively covering the solar market. Co-incidentally (?) a lot of the buying in recent days in Solco has been from Credit Suisse.


Cheers