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Why Solar Could Be the Next Big AI Winner
ZACKSยท2025-09-02 19:40

Group 1: Industry Overview - Artificial intelligence is creating significant energy demands, with US data centers projected to consume up to 25% of the nation's electricity capacity by 2030, up from 4% today [1][6] - The potential power demand from US data centers could reach 130 GW by 2030, necessitating substantial investments in energy infrastructure [6] Group 2: Solar Power as a Solution - Solar power is emerging as a key solution to meet the energy needs of hyperscale data centers, with costs for photovoltaic panels having fallen nearly 90% over the last decade [2][5] - Solar is now cheaper than coal or natural gas in many regions, and when combined with modern storage, it can provide reliable 24/7 power [5] Group 3: Investment Opportunities in Solar Stocks - The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) has seen a 70% decline from its 2021 highs, but momentum is picking up, indicating potential buying opportunities in the sector [3] - Companies like Shoals Technology Group (SHLS), Array Technologies (ARRY), and Nextracker Inc. (NXT) are well-positioned to benefit from the shift towards solar energy [3][21] Group 4: Company-Specific Insights - Nextracker Inc. has seen its stock rise over 80% this year, trading at 16.6x forward earnings, and is forming a bullish technical pattern [9][10] - Array Technologies is projected to have earnings growth of 21.6% annually over the next three to five years, with a forward earnings multiple of 14.2x and a PEG ratio of 0.66 [12][13] - Shoals Technologies Group is noted for its high margins and recurring demand, with a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) rating and a PEG ratio of 0.75, indicating strong fundamentals [15][16]