Top Solar Stocks - Stocks to Buy - First Solar (FSLR) - First Solar (FSLR) is one of the top solar stocks to buy going into 2012.  The stock is currently trading at $88 going into September 2011 and is lower due to oil dropping back to $82.  For long term investing in Solar stocks, I like First Solar stock anywhere below $90 per share.   In a good market, FSLR can rally up between $120-$140 but you have to have some patience.  If oil prices continues to stay around $80 or drop lower, First Solar will not perform well in 2012.  As I said above, the best time to buy a solar stock is when they are out of favor.  While I do not currently have a position in the stock, My First Solar Price Target 2012 = $110

First Solar, Inc. manufactures and sells solar modules using a thin-film semiconductor technology. It also designs, constructs, and sells photovoltaic solar power systems. The company’s solar modules employ a thin layer of semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity. Its integrated solar power systems activities include the project development; engineering, procurement, and construction services; operating and maintenance services; and project finance. The company sells solar modules to project developers, system integrators, and operators of renewable energy projects; and solar power systems to investor owned utilities, independent power developers and producers, and commercial and industrial companies, as well as other system owners. It operates in the United States, Germany, France, Canada, and internationally.  First Solar is headquarted in Tempe, Arizona

Best Solar Stocks 2012 - GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. (GTAT) - GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. (GTAT), formerly GT Solar (SOLR), is another one of my solar stock picks for 2012.  When oil was over $100 earlier in 2011, SOLR was hitting new 52 week highs breaking out almost every week.  In July 2011, GTAT hit a high of $17.50 but has now dropped back to $10.  GTAT stock has long term support between $9-$10 so if you are looking for a good solar stock for 2012, GTAT is another solar stock to watch closely.

GT Advanced Technologies Inc. provides polysilicon production technology and multicrystalline ingot growth systems, and related photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing services for the solar industry worldwide. It also offers sapphire growth systems and material for the LED and other specialty markets. The company’s principal products comprise chemical vapor deposition reactors and related equipment used to produce polysilicon; directional solidification furnaces and related equipment used to cast multicrystalline silicon ingots, which are used to make PV wafers; advanced sapphire furnaces used to crystallize sapphire boules that are used to make sapphire wafers; and sapphire material primarily used to make various products, such as epitaxial-ready wafers. GT Advanced Technologies Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Merrimack, New Hampshire.

China Solar Stocks - China was a hot spot for investing in solar stocks in 2010/2011.  As we head into late 2011 and into 2012, these chinese solar stocks could be due for a bounce up.  Below is a few china solar stocks worth mentioned for a possible bounce trade.

Trina Solar (TSL) ($13.00) - Trina Solar Limited (TSL) is an integrated solar-power products manufacturer based in China with a global distribution network covering Europe, North America and Asia. It produces standard monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules ranging from 165 watts (W), to 240 W in power output and multicrystalline PV modules ranging from 215 W to 240 W in power output. Trina sells and markets its products worldwide, including in a number of European countries, such as Germany, Spain and Italy. It sells the products to distributors, wholesalers, power plant developers and operators and PV system integrators, including Bull Solar.

Suntech Power (STP) ($5.10) - Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (STP) is a solar energy company, which is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of photovoltaic (PV) products, including a range of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products and also provides engineering, procurement and construction services to building solar power systems using its own solar modules for certain related party and third party customers.

Solar Penny Stocks 2012 - Energy Conversion Devices, Inc (ENER) - Energy Conversion Devices, Inc (ENER) is a solar penny stock that is currently trading at $0.70, down from $80 in 2008.  The company had so much promise but could never get it together over the last three years.  ENER owns United Solar which received a solar order from a company in India in early 2011 but could not give the stock a spark.  There is no tell whether or not ENER will survive in 2012 or go bankrupt.  If you are looking for a solar penny stock, keep an eye on ENER leading up to 2012.

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD), through its subsidiaries, commercializes materials, products and production processes for the alternative energy generation (primarily solar energy), energy storage and information technology markets. The Company designs, manufactures and sells photovoltaic (PV) products, known as PV or solar laminates that generate clean, renewable energy by converting sunlight into electricity. ECD operates its business in two segments: United Solar Ovonic and Ovonic Materials. ECD’s products are particularly suitable for rooftop and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications, which are its primary target markets. ECD is also expanding its portfolio of solutions in the low load-bearing building applied (BAPV) market. In addition, it develops and installs solar PV systems on rooftops and in other applications. Solar sales represent over 90% of the Company’s revenues