China: A Solar Hotspot?

It was good news for solar at the beginning of the month, and it seems good news for solar again at the end of the month. Recent bouts with smog in Beijing have prompted China to ramp up its solar energy investment.

Early in the month solar stocks were on the rise. One of the most notable events was Warren Buffett investing in solar through the $2 billion-plus purchase of the 579-megawatt Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ:SPWR) via MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a holding company controlled by Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKA)(NYSE:BRKB).

At the same time, China’s solar was looking hot, as the world’s two largest solar manufacturers, LDK Solar Co. (NYSE:LDK) and Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE:STP), both saw their stocks jump in late 2012. China was also predicted to become the world’s biggest solar market in 2013 by HSBC Holdings — and the fast-growing nation seems ready to prove that prediction right…