Renewable Energy & Battery Stocks to Buy Amid AI-Driven Power Boom

Industry Overview - The global renewable energy sector is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing AI-driven electricity demand, electrification of transportation, favorable policies, and decreasing costs of solar and wind installations [2][3] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that AI applications could reduce CO2 emissions by 1,400 Mt by 2035 [3] - Energy storage is essential for the renewable energy transition, providing reliable power to support AI infrastructure [4] Market Trends - The average price of battery packs is projected to decrease by 3% to $105 per kilowatt-hour by 2026, driven by increased manufacturing capacity in China and a shift to lower-cost lithium-iron phosphate technology [5] - This price reduction is expected to make energy storage systems more affordable, enhancing the growth of renewable energy capacity and presenting investment opportunities [5] Company Highlights Canadian Solar (CSIQ) - Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and battery energy storage solutions, with a diverse global presence [7] - As of September 30, 2025, CSIQ has a solar project development pipeline of 27.1 GWp and a battery storage project pipeline of 80.6 GWh [8][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSIQ's 2026 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 36.8% [10] First Solar (FSLR) - First Solar is the largest PV solar module manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, specializing in thin-film semiconductor technology [11] - The company manufactured 3.6 GW and sold 5.3 GW of solar modules in Q3 2025, with a total production capacity of approximately 23.5 GW [12] - FSLR's contract pipeline includes future sales of 53.7 GW of solar modules valued at $16.4 billion, with a 2026 sales growth estimate of 22.5% [12][13] JinkoSolar (JKS) - JinkoSolar excels in the research, development, and manufacturing of photovoltaic and energy storage products, with a global footprint [14] - The company has delivered a total of 370 GW of solar modules and has a battery storage capacity of 12 GWh [14][15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 16.3% year-over-year rise in JKS's 2026 sales [16] Vestas Wind Systems (VWDRY) - Vestas specializes in wind turbine design, manufacturing, and servicing, with a total installed capacity of 197 GW across 88 countries [17] - The company's wind turbine order backlog is valued at approximately $36.92 billion, with a significant portion related to offshore wind projects [18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vestas's 2026 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 14.1% [19]