Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Think. Again.

(17,838 posts)
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 06:57 AM Aug 2023

Any advice on investing in Renewable Energy?

I have a retirement account that is all cash at the moment and I won't be using it for a few years yet.

The account allows me to buy stocks and funds, and since it's just sitting there I'm considering investing some of the cash in moderately risky green energy stocks or ETF's that focus on the renewable energy sector.

Any words of wisdom from folks are in the renewables market?

Thanks in advance.

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Any advice on investing in Renewable Energy? (Original Post) Think. Again. Aug 2023 OP
do you have solar on your house? mopinko Aug 2023 #1
Unfortunately, I don't own, yet... Think. Again. Aug 2023 #3
First, I am NOT a financial advisor Best_man23 Aug 2023 #2
Thank You! Think. Again. Aug 2023 #4
Buy low and sell high. marble falls Aug 2023 #5
That's the plan, anyway! Think. Again. Aug 2023 #6
also- the market loves volatility. mopinko Aug 2023 #7
My solar panel converters and battery back-up is an Enpkase system. OAITW r.2.0 Aug 2023 #8
Wow, Think. Again. Aug 2023 #9
I think there will be continued growth in this sector. OAITW r.2.0 Aug 2023 #10

mopinko

(71,787 posts)
1. do you have solar on your house?
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 07:06 AM
Aug 2023

w the incentives out there, depending on your location, it shd cost u about half the sticker price.
my elec bills were $150-200/mo, cuz i have grow lights and stuff. they’re now $20/mo and right now i’m banking credits for colder months. my investment was roughly $20k.
i dont know any investment w that kind of return,

i’m in the process of putting them on my 2flat, which i converted to a heat pump. i was able to nearly double rents cuz it’s now heated AND cooled, a rare thing in a vintage bldg. (also did improvements. 2nd br, etc.)
the weather has been mild, but i’m pleasantly surprised how low the bills have been so far. tenants keep it comfy, but my june bill was only $75.

Think. Again.

(17,838 posts)
3. Unfortunately, I don't own, yet...
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 08:05 AM
Aug 2023

I'm still in the "work my butt off for the future" phase and I'm renting but I am looking forward to an extremely 'green' home when I finally get to that point.

Things seem to be improving very fast on that front so I'm keeping up with all the latest advances in home efficiency and energy tech, and boy do I have some dreams...

Best_man23

(5,122 posts)
2. First, I am NOT a financial advisor
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 07:12 AM
Aug 2023

I would suggest an ETF over one individual green stock as it provides diversification across the green energy sector. You may also want to look at mutual funds that offer the same sector investment if you have that available in your investment account.

Compare the historic returns against management fees and go with the one that provides the best return vs expense ratio (management) fees.

NerdWallet had a good article on clean energy ETFs. Do you own research on each one before investing.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/clean-energy-etfs

Think. Again.

(17,838 posts)
4. Thank You!
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 08:12 AM
Aug 2023

That Nerdwallet article is a great start!

And I do think I like the diversity of ETF's (eggs, basket.)

The timing seems right to me, we're just at the very beginning of the green energy transition and I'm still a bunch of years away from slowing down so my hope is that now is the time to get in to this sector with the retirement funds I'm hoarding.

mopinko

(71,787 posts)
7. also- the market loves volatility.
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 08:38 AM
Aug 2023

dont believe the lie that markets ‘dont like uncertainty’.
that’s where the money is. they light candles to the gods of chaos.

my ex worked for cboe, and used to joke that the only thing that could put them out of business was a decade of peace and prosperity.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,340 posts)
8. My solar panel converters and battery back-up is an Enpkase system.
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 09:16 AM
Aug 2023

Enphase monitors system performance and have made a couple of no-charge visits to upgrade hardware, If I were going to invest, I'd check out Enphase stock.

Think. Again.

(17,838 posts)
9. Wow,
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 09:37 AM
Aug 2023

Enphase does look like they got their act together, I went to their website, they offer the whole package -panels, battery storage, the whole deal.

I will definitely look into them not only on the investment side but also when I get to the point of creating a non-CO2 home.

On the investment side, I noticed that the vast majority of renewable stocks have come way down after Biden got in office and I'm assuming this is because of 2 things:

1. The excitement of Biden's campaign promises caused a lot of buying activity right away and that excitement caused a rush on green energy stocks that has since calmed down because if the time it will take to actually grow this sector.

2. It's a given that the fossil fuel industry is fighting the investment in (and progress in) the green energy sector with everything they got- planting negative media, spreading disinformation, paying republican politicians to sow doubt about the transition (as if there is any other option) etc. which is delaying the interest in these investments (as planned).

To me, this sounds like a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the undervalued interest in this sector and start buying low.

I'll also be checking which ETF's are including Enphase in their holdings.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,340 posts)
10. I think there will be continued growth in this sector.
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 10:11 AM
Aug 2023

Climate change will force people to make the investment as protection against utility-wide outages. Doubt that things are going to change anytime soon.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Personal Finance and Investing»Any advice on investing i...