Solar: Cowen Chops Estimates; Sees Slower Global Growth

Cowen analyst Robert Stone this morning cut estimates for the solar sector across the board, asserting that Street estimates for at least the first half of 2009 are too high, and there could be further downside if project credit conditions do not improve.

“Street estimates generally have Q1 revenue flat-to-up sequentially, but we see a downtick as more likely,” he writes. “The main sticking point appears to be project financing rather than the price of modules. Smaller systems are more likely to find cash buyers or owner equity financing along with renewable-specific loans in markets such as Germany and Japan. However, larger projects are likely to be hampered by tight credit and lack of third-party tax equity.”

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