Some big names will fall before solar surges back to life – but the rebound will surely happen

Suntech, which will be de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange if it does not boost its share price soon, has a current market capitalisation of less than $170m. That compares with nearly $7bn just five years ago.

Last June, meanwhile, Total paid $1.67bn for 60% of SunPower — a stake now worth less than $440m.

And First Solar shareholders might be happy to learn their company is worth a relatively beefy $2bn — at least until they remember their shares have sunk by more than 92% since mid-2008.

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