Plunging solar stocks fly in face of booming panel demand

In many ways the solar power industry has never been better, as the race to slow the pace of global warming drives demand for panels to a record high

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Try telling that to investors in the world's biggest solar equipment makers.

Shares have slumped as falling prices compress margins and factory expansions raise fears of overcapacity, while investors are drawn to new sectors like artificial intelligence. The combined market capitalization of the four largest panel producers, all based in China, has dropped by more than 40% since August. "It's an industry where it should be doing fantastic, but instead a growing number of firms are increasingly struggling," said Cosimo Ries, an analyst with consultancy Trivium China.