We recently published a list of the 10 Best Environmental Stocks To Invest In Right Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) stands against the other best environmental stocks to invest in right now.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded on November 24, with a landmark agreement that sets a new collective goal for climate finance. The agreement, which aims to triple the annual finance to developing countries from the previous goal of $100 billion to $300 billion by 2035, marks a significant step forward in global efforts to combat climate change and support vulnerable nations. Furthermore, this new finance goal, known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) also aims to scale up collaboration among all actors including governments, private sector entities, and international financial institutions to finance developing countries to reach $1.3 trillion annually by 2035.

The progress made at COP29 builds on the global climate action achieved at previous conferences. COP27 established a historic Loss and Damage Fund, while COP28 delivered a global agreement to transition away from all fossil fuels in energy systems swiftly and fairly, tripling renewable energy and boosting climate resilience. The new finance goal at COP29 is a crucial step in ensuring that these commitments are met and that the global community remains on track to limit global warming.

According to a report by McKinsey, the $300 billion annual goal for climate financing falls drastically short of the estimated $1 trillion needed annually to meet global targets. On a broader scale, McKinsey estimates that up to $9 trillion per year will be required globally by 2050 to decarbonize physical assets and transition towards a sustainable future.

The report highlights that private capital is widely seen as a key enabler in bridging this financing gap. However, many investors remain cautious, not just due to a lack of funds, but due to a shortage of credible, scalable investment opportunities, execution challenges, insufficient risk management, and delays in scaling operations. The geopolitical and macroeconomic environment further complicates the sustainability landscape. Higher interest rates, inflation, and energy supply disruptions have created an environment where cost assumptions from just a few years ago no longer hold true.

In light of these dynamics, McKinsey identifies three key strategies for businesses to navigate the complex investment landscape in sustainability. First, companies must reevaluate and refresh sustainability strategies as past assumptions may no longer be valid, and companies must take a pragmatic approach to align their strategies with current realities. Second, businesses must accelerate climate technology industrialization. While renewable energy technologies have made significant progress in cost competitiveness, other emerging technologies, such as hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, and precision fermentation, require further industrialization. Third, companies must address execution risks, streamline supply chains, and ensure they have experienced teams capable of managing large-scale sustainable projects.

The report concluded by emphasizing that companies who will act decisively, embrace innovative financing mechanisms, and prioritize operational excellence will not only contribute to global sustainability goals but also position themselves for future growth in an evolving economic landscape.

The journey towards a sustainable future requires collaboration, innovation, and accountability across all sectors. While the challenges are significant, the opportunities for growth, resilience, and value creation are even greater.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 10 best environmental stocks to invest in right now, we used environmental ETFs plus online rankings to compile an initial list of 20 environment-friendly companies. We then used Insider Monkey’s Hedge Fund database to rank 10 stocks according to the largest number of hedge fund holders, as of Q3 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 59

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is a leading provider of solar energy solutions, specializing in thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology. The company designs, manufactures, and installs large-scale solar power systems worldwide. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) serves utility-scale project developers, independent power producers, and energy companies, contributing significantly to the global shift toward renewable energy.

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) has made notable progress in expanding its manufacturing capacity and advancing its technological capabilities. The company recently opened its $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Alabama, which is expected to add 3.5 gigawatts of vertically integrated solar production capacity once fully operational. Additionally, the company plans to commence operations at its Louisiana facility in the second half of 2025, aligning with its target of surpassing 14 gigawatts of annual U.S. capacity and over 25 gigawatts of global capacity by 2026.

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) remains at the forefront of next-generation thin-film photovoltaic technology development. The company is preparing to launch CuRe production at its Ohio facility, aiming to deliver approximately 0.4 gigawatts of CuRe products by Q1 2025. Furthermore, the company is advancing perovskite technology through a dedicated development line in Perrysburg, Ohio, designed to replicate in-line manufacturing conditions and accelerate innovation in this promising technology.

Overall, FSLR ranks 2nd on our list of best environmental stocks to invest in right now. While we acknowledge the potential of FSLR to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FSLR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.