Investment & News: Hong Kong Missing Out On Alibaba And HKTV

Jack Ma's Alibaba is NOT coming to Hong Kong
Image from vulcanpost.com

A huge disappointment for all IPO investors and for Hong Kong, for missing out on one of the biggest initial public offerings in the world of the decade. A big win for New York(ers).

Who is to blame for all the loss of cash? The rigid rules and regulations of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange? Or the "innovative" governance structure that Alibaba insists?

HKTV chairman Ricky Wong Wai-kay
Image from SCMP
Photo by Felix Wong

Some will say, rules are rules, and we must follow the rules strictly as to do so, it is the job and the right thing to do. Like the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) continuously tells HKTV to do -- play by the rule. But let's not forget, rules are created by us, and rules must move forward as we move forward. In a world of rapid technological advancement, we are eventually the ones to suffer if we stick to our old rules.

In a South China Morning Post article, Eliza Lee Man-ching, director-general of the OFCA said "Wong seems to have mixed up his role, thinking he is the regulator and asking us to make suggestions as to the broadcasting formats that would ensure legal compliance ... For the first time, I have heard a licence holder demand from the watchdog a promise that they would not be prosecuted if they violated the law," Lee said.

I say, asking yourself, the OFCA, to make suggestions as to the broadcasting formats that would ensure legal compliance is exactly the kind of thing you should do all along over the last 10 years and not to wait until the problems surface, definitely not to wait until the HKTV chairman has to tell you that your lousy VCD-standard broadcasting format is so semi-century!

We are lucky to have true innovators who have the guts and are willingly, constantly fighting for the betterment for the citizens, for mankind. At the same time, we are unfortunate to have politicians who put their own benefits before the people and too many innovation pacifists who hug the ground for stability.

Elon Musk
Image from TIME

Tesla Motor's Chairman, Product Architect & CEO Elon Musk recently wrote a letter to the People of New Jersey on the company's blog after the New Jersey passed a ban on Tesla direct sales model, which means customers cannot buy their cars from the Tesla stores in New Jersey and Tesla cannot talk about pricing to their customers.

Quoting Elon's words, "Governor Christie had promised that this would be put to a vote of the elected state legislature, which is the appropriate way to change the law. When it became apparent to the auto dealer lobby that this approach would not succeed, they cut a backroom deal with the Governor to circumvent the legislative process and pass a regulation that is fundamentally contrary to the intent of the law."

Yes, that means New Jersey decided that they want to protect their auto dealers and allow them to go on ripping off the customers.

"As anyone who has been through the conventional auto dealer purchase process knows, consumer protection is pretty much the furthest thing from the typical car dealer’s mind." -- Elon Musk.

Governor Chris Christie
Image from Tesla Motors Club

Politics kill creativity, every time.

So, back to our Alibaba chat, who are the losers? It's always the general public.

"Alibaba's choice is a blow to Hong Kong's financial industry, in terms of lost prestige, fees and trading volumes. The absence of a large, dynamic tech company will sting the Hong Kong exchange as it tries to diversify its publicly traded stocks away from Greater China financial and property companies, bolstering its status as a global financial centre," Keith Pogson, managing partner for financial services at consulting firm EY in Hong Kong told Reuters.

And the loss keeps increasing by the days as Alibaba continues to go on a shopping spree, first buying 54.33% of Citi 21CN, then 60% of Chinavision,  then spending US$215M on messaging and free-calling app Tango, who knows how many more companies he will buy to boost his IPO debut price? What I do know is, the more he buys, the more Hong Kong loses.

For more information, do read From Alibaba To Weibo: Your A-Z Guide To China's Hottest Internet IPOs.


Vocabulary:
watchdog -- (n)[C] a person or organization responsible for making certain that companies obey particular standards and do not act illegally:
lousy -- (adj) Informal very bad
semi-century -- (n)[C] half a century. A time period of 50 years.
innovation pacifist -- (n)[C] people who believe that innovation is wrong, and so opt for not creating anything new


Resources:
News & Opinions: Dark Age of Hong Kong @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2014/03/news-opinions-dark-age-of-hong-kong.html

Barclays Said to Miss Out on Alibaba IPO Fees: Best of the Week @ Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-20/barclays-said-to-miss-alibaba-ipo-fees-by-defying-softbank-s-son.html

Ofca's Eliza Lee slams HKTV's Ricky Wong amid mobile television row @ South China Morning Post
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1449635/ofcas-eliza-lee-slams-hktvs-ricky-wong-amid-mobile-television-row

Ricky Wong and HKTV must play by the rules @ South China Morning Post
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1452289/ricky-wong-and-hktv-must-play-rules

OFCA rejects HKTV complaints @ MENAFN.com
http://www.menafn.com/97d1fc12-2d14-496f-aa46-73931e1bc01c/OFCA-rejects-HKTV-complaints?src=main

To the People of New Jersey @ Blog | Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/people-new-jersey

After New Jersey ban, Tesla Motors fights to keep Ohio sales @ San Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25360831/after-new-jersey-ban-tesla-motors-fights-keep

Alibaba's choice of U.S. IPO spurred by rivals, Hong Kong impasse: sources @ Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/us-alibaba-ipo-idUSBREA2I0OA20140319

CITIC 21CN (00241.HK) places shares to Alibaba @ AASTOCKS.com - News
http://www.aastocks.com/EN/News/HK6/0/00241/NOW.586332.html

<Resumption Ann>Alibaba buys 60% interest in CHINAVISION (01060.HK) @ AASTOCKS.com - News
http://www.aastocks.com/EN/News/HK6/01060/NOW.593502.html

Alibaba Sinks $215 Million Into Messaging App Tango, Valuing It At More Than $1 Billion @ Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2014/03/20/exclusive-alibaba-sinks-250-million-into-messaging-app-tango-valuing-it-at-more-than-1-billion/

Pick me (and only me), Alibaba and JD.com told banks @ South China Morning Post
http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1453135/pick-me-and-only-me-alibaba-and-jdcom-told-banks

From Alibaba To Weibo: Your A-Z Guide To China's Hottest Internet IPOs @ Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2014/03/19/from-alibaba-to-weibo-your-a-z-guide-to-chinas-hottest-internet-ipos/2/


http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/watchdog_1?q=watchdog
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lousy_1?q=lousy
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_semi_century?#slide=2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pacifist?q=pacifist
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pacifism?q=pacifism

Auto & News: Tesla's Gigafactory feat. SolarCity

All images from Tesla Motors Blog

This is a really good news for Tesla, for the customers, for the stocks and the world. For one thing, the gigafactory can produce enough of batteries for 500,000 vehicles which could meet Tesla's ambition to sell electric vehicles worldwide, including a huge number expected in China; for another, it helps to lower cost of battery pack cost per kWh by more than 30%. So by the time Gen III or Model E comes out, there will be enough batteries at low cost to go around. Tesla is a fair company, and thus I believe that when the production cost of the battery does lower, they will keep their words to lower the selling price of the Gen III cars by 50%.

There is another perspective for this Gigafactory and I find it pretty interesting, video is embedded below.

I do not agree with the guy saying that the fire is still under investigation, since NHTSA has reaffirmed the Model S 5-Star Safety Rating. What I do agree is that Tesla is moving into a more autonomous company with this gigafactory and should there be any extra batteries produced, it will become a source of income. For one thing, Tesla does not have to sell their batteries cheap if they are not sold with the cars, so if the cars get a lower selling price, the non-EV batteries need not.

Image from SolarCity

Will this benefit Tesla's sister company SolarCity? SolarCity is already working closely with Tesla in terms of the installation of solar panels for the residential and commercial customers. And now that it is even offering an industrial-grade battery built by Tesla to store solar power!

Essentially, what it means is, SolarCity will always be supporting Tesla Motors to go further while maintaining certain amount of stable income. With customers such as Wal-Mart Stores and Google, its business will just get bigger. For the solar industry, it is about the amount of power it can produce, and from its plan to up the ante from 278 Mw this year to 475 Mw-525Mw next year, the company is aiming for 70.9% to 88.8% increase in revenue!

Whether the expectation will drive SolarCity higher or not, Tesla will always benefit first hand! No wonder Tesla's stock market has hit a high 644% this year!




Vocabulary
up the ante -- If you up the ante, you increase your demands or the risks in a situation in order to achieve a better result:




Resources:
Investors unprepared for Tesla’s growing pains @ Yahoo! Finance
http://www.quamnet.com/newscontent.action?articleId=3467418

Gigafactory | Blog @ Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_attachments/gigafactory.pdf

A Fair Price @ Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/fair-price

Auto & Opinions: Concerns Of A Prospective Tesla Model S Owner @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2014/02/auto-opinions-concerns-of-prospective.html


What Texas Must Overcome To Land Tesla's Gigafactory @ Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2014/03/03/what-texas-must-overcome-to-land-teslas-gigafactory/?partner=yahootix

Elon Musk calls electric car cross country journey historical milestone @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Op-cRc54sc

NHTSA REAFFIRMS MODEL S 5-STAR SAFETY RATING IN ALL CATEGORIES FOR MODEL YEAR 2014 @ Tesla Motor Blog
http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/nhtsa-reaffirms-model-s-5star-safety-rating-all-categories-model-year-2014

Tesla Motor's New Battery Factory Could Send SolarCity Soaring @ Fool.com
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/28/tesla-motors-new-battery-factory-could-send-solarc.aspx

Tesla's Industrial-Grade Solar Power Storage System @ Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-06/tesla-s-industrial-grade-solar-power-storage-system.html

SolarCity Uses Tesla's Batteries to Pair Power Storage With Panels @ Businessweek
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-12-06/teslas-solar-power-storage-unit

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/up-the-ante?q=up+the+ante

People, Culture & Investment: Master So, Feng Shui and Investment

Image from hk.asia-city.com

Master Peter So, is one of the most respected feng shui master in Hong Kong, or probably in Asia. He is also one of the few feng shui masters who actually has translated feng shui books in English, inside those books, are a great amount of highly formal vocabulary, really worth reading even if you are not interested in feng shui, just for the sake of widening your horizon.

Image from amazon.com

There are many reasons for his success, his long waist-length straight hair, his fashionable look, the sharpness and directness of his criticism, the fluent hyper-speed recitation of the Ba-zhi diagnoses, etc., but his quirk cannot sustain his fame if he is not truthful enough.

And his most truthful quote, is "the highest level of feng shui, is random guessing."

Sounds very demeaning to the great Chinese system, but his words are absolutely true.

Feng shui, as he often says, is statistics, is a collection of statistical knowledge (though impressionised rather than hard number facts) through thousands of years of observations in the human behaviour in relation to the geography of the surroundings in China. Hence feng shui can affect people's living conditions in certain good or bad ways in general, but there are always exceptions.

See what Dr. House has to say about the feng shui of his office (Season 8 Episode 5).

Surprised that westerners care about feng shui too? You'll be even more surprised after Googling English books on feng shui.

Back to my previous point, what Dr. House felt was really no joke. Feng shui is a lot about comfortability.

A Ceiling Beam
Image from idyllwild

For example, a sudden appearance of a ceiling beam tends to make people feel uncomfortable or even sick. Sounds unconvincing, but Master So's explanation is that the beam deflects air movements downwards, thus having your air-conditioner's wind hitting the beam and deflecting to hit directly above your head, will really make you uncomfortable or even sick.

Scared by one's own reflection in the mirror
Image from moviesblog.mtv

Another example is that mirrors should never face any doors or beds as it will cause discomfort, unrest or even poor health. His explanation is that human tends to be scared by sudden moving objects. Whether it is in the day or at night, when you open the door and suddenly you see some unexpected moving object in front of you, you will be frightened by it. That moving object is of course your own reflection in the mirror. Continually suffering from the scare of your own reflection in the middle of the night while you head to the toilet isn't a smart choice.

This, to me, actually makes sense.

Computer and monitor near the bed
Image from seemslegit

But what is even more amazing about Master So, is that he is often caught saying that he is a feng shui master who least believes in feng shui! He explained by saying that many of the teachings from the old feng shui textbooks will not apply in the modern days simply because many things in the modern days never existed in the past, like the electromagnetic influences from the computer and the monitor next to your bed, or the power transmission towers near your home, or the bright signboards in the opposite building which flashes right outside your windows affecting your sleep quality.

"Feng shui isn't foolproof".

Power Transmission Tower
Image from made-in-china

Can feng shui foretell the future? Probably not. Otherwise, Master Peter So will surely try to explain future trends with feng shui when he talks about investment. The fact is, even a feng shui master himself, he hardly discusses his investments in terms of feng shui. What he does share, are his observations through the years of observations of the market movement, supporting it with statistics (or arguably, his own style of feng shui).

"Anything regarding Gods and Demons, I have zero idea! 

Feng shui is statistics, not religious studies." -- Master Peter So. 

Here's an article which demonstrates his firm belief in statistics.

Feng shui masters hit the investment trail By Li Tao (China Daily) Updated: 2010-02-22 10:52 HONG KONG: While financial analysts read all sorts of indexes to form a picture of the economy, feng shui experts in Hong Kong are applying their art to a similar end. Peter So, a popular local feng shui master, is trying to convince undecided investors not to purchase property in Hong Kong until 2015. So said past experience showed the city's property prices rising continuously for five years and then falling over the next six. He said prices peaked in 2009, the final year of the last cycle, and were now due to tumble. "The theory has never been wrong in the past," said So. "Apartment prices fell in value almost 50 percent between 1986 and 1991 and then rebounded to another high in 1997. They slumped again in 2003 because of the breakout of SARS, and it is acknowledged that property prices have been way up over the past few years, even though the city's economy was damaged severely by the global financial crisis." So said the next bottoming of the property market would occur in 2015 and he had now started saving money ahead of the eventuality. As to stocks, So eschewed predicting whether it would be a lucrative market or not this year, but advised investors to differentiate odd years from even ones when buying, a tactic he said was effective eight times of 10. "Though the stock market is volatile, rough fluctuations still can be determined. Generally, the market rises high initially but ends low in odd years. The trend reverses in even years. This is an even year, so investors should consider buying stocks in May or June, when the market will be at the year's bottom," said So. However, just like the mercurial markets, predictions from different feng shui masters vary, sometimes considerably. Edwin Ma, another local feng shui master, disagrees with So about the city's property market. "If I am to make a suggestion to my clients, I will definitely advise them to pour money into the property market this year," Ma said. Ma anticipates a flat year in housing prices, but he said it was still worth investing since "in comparison with stocks, property prices are de facto guaranteed to make a fortune, while most stocks were not". He added: "The stock market seemed exuberant last year, but it has become the playground only for rich people because profitable stocks were no longer affordable to most ordinary investors." Ma said although the Hang Seng Index ended high in 2009, most investors were unhappy because star stocks such as HSBC had surged to more than HK$80 a share - far beyond their affordability. However, any cheap stocks they were holding barely made money, or even dwindled in value over the year. Ma also warned people born in the years of the tiger, monkey or snake to be extra cautious with money in 2010. Feng shui is an ancient Chinese aesthetics system believed to apply the laws of both heaven (astronomy) and earth (geography) to help people improve their lives. Cynics say it is based solely on anecdote or guesswork and lacks plausibility. However, feng shui is extremely popular in China and is growing in popularity in many foreign countries.

After reading the above article, I did some research myself. I found this article dated Dec 3rd, 2008, and it shows a chart and 2 tables.

Image from fundsupermart

From the above chart, and the table below obtained from Hang Seng Indexes,

Month-end weighted average P/E Ratio (Table 1)
Image from hsi.com.hk

if you are thinking about investing in stocks, when the current Price-to-Earning ratio (PE) is around 6.78 to 10, it is considered as a good bargain. But what about timing?

Image from fundsupermart

Looking at the table above, it is fair to say that roughly every 3 or 6 years (depending on how you want to see it) something disastrous will happen, the recent one is 2009, so either if history will repeat itself in a different way, then 2012 or 2015 would be the danger years, which matches what Master So said in the above article.

Image from fundsupermart

The duration it took to rebound seems to vary greatly from the above table, so if you read the above article on the 3rd Dec 2008, and decided to buy in stocks after the month-end weighted average PE was published in Jan 2009, this is what should have happened...

Month-end weighted average P/E Ratio (Table 2)
Image from hsi.com.hk

Which means that your investment should have lost roughly 10% till Feb 2009, but then you should have earned double by Jul 2009. Back to the feng shui issue, if feng shui is statistics, then feng shui is just the Chinese name for "Data Analysis". Master So's data analysis concludes that this year's May and June is the bottom of the market, but according to my own analysis using the data from Hang Seng Indexes...

Since 1973 till today,

Image from Locky's English Playground

• January and March each have 7 times being the lowest PE month, while other months are quite even, this could mean January and March are likely to be the best time to buy stocks in Hong Kong. 
• At the same time, December has 12 times being the highest PE month, followed by February with 8 times, then January and July with 5 times, meaning that these months are likely to be the months at which the stocks in Hong Kong are the most expensive.

But the questions are, 

1. How do I know which January is the highest PE or the lowest PE month? 
2. Should I buy in January and then sell in February?

These are questions which need more analysis to be done, after I have found out, it will be my feng shui.

More on that later.

Please "Like" this entry and the English Playground if you want more of this kind. 

Vocabulary:
recitation -- (n) [C] saying a piece of writing aloud from memory
quirk -- (n) [C] an unusual part of someone's personality or habit, or something that is strange and unexpected
fame -- (n) [U] when you are known or recognized by many people because of your achievements, skills, etc
demeaning -- (adj) causing someone to become or feel less respected
comfortability -- (n) [U] how comfortable one's is about something or someone
ceiling beam -- (n)[C] A beam is a horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting bending.
power transmission tower -- (n) [C] a tall structure, usually a steel lattice tower, used to support an overhead power line.
foretell -- (vb)  [T] (foretold, foretold) literary to state what is going to happen in the future
tumble -- (vb)[I] to fall a lot in value in a short time
slump -- (vb) [I] (of prices, values or sales) to fall suddenly
breakout -- (n) [C] a violent escape, especially by a group, from prison
bottom out-- (phrasal verb)  to have reached the lowest point in a continuously changing situation and to be about to improve
eschew -- (vb)  [T] formal to avoid something intentionally, or to give something up
lucrative -- (adj) (especially of a business, job or activity) producing a lot of money
differentiate -- (vb) [I or T] to show or find the difference between things which are compared
mercurial -- (adj) changing suddenly and often
aesthetics -- (US also esthetics) (n)[U] the formal study of art, especially in relation to the idea of beauty
cynic -- (n) [C] disapproving a person who believes that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere
plausibility -- (n)[U] seeming likely to be true, or able to be believed



Resources:
Feng shui masters hit the investment trail @China Daily
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-02/22/content_9483738.htm

Transmission Tower @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_tower

Feng Shui @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui

House MD - "Feng Shui" @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyKp9QgapIg

Hong Kong Market At Huge Discount! @ fundsupermart.com
http://www.fundsupermart.com.hk/hk/main/research/viewHTML.tpl?lang=en&articleNo=3104

Peter So Man-fung @ HK Asia City
http://hk.asia-city.com/events/article/peter-so-man-fung-renowned-fortune-teller

Master SoTurning the wheel of fortune @ CUHK
http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/varsity/0012/people/masterso.htm

@ Master So Classroom
http://masterso.com/classroom/classroom4_02.php

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTE2MDgzMzI=.html

Hang Seng Indexes
http://www.hsi.com.hk/HSI-Net/HSI-Net

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/recitation?q=recitation+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/quirk?q=quirk
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/fame?q=fame+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/demeaning?q=demeaning+
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_(structure)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_transmission_tower
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/foretell?q=foretell+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/tumble_1?q=tumble
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/slump_1?q=slump+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/breakout?q=breakout
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bottom-out?q=bottoming#bottom-out__2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/eschew?q=eschew+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lucrative?q=lucrative+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/differentiate_1?q=differentiate+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/aesthetics?q=aesthetics+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/cynic?q=cynics+#cynic__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/plausible?q=plausibility+

Technology: New Solar Tech 2011-12

Solar Power Plant
Image from smithheggumreport

Yesterday's solar energy stocks around the world soared and trading volume was one of the highest since last October. News reports have it that this reaction in the markets was a reflection of "higher-than-expected demand at the end of 2011" and this year [1][2], that the Asia-Pacific solar market is "to grow 130% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of this year."[3], and Claymore/MAC Global Solar Index (ETF), "a global sector benchmark, is up 27.2 percent since Dec. 28, when it closed at a historical low" [4].

So much support from the recent news articles, I doubt that optimism would suddenly surge in a single day causing global markets to react violently. It was just one big excuse for the big cheese to earn quick money.

That doesn't mean I don't agree with whatever reasons they have listed. In fact, I agree with them totally! Just don't agree that it is anything new. For years, I have always stayed positive in the solar industry and have more than once mentioned the saviour role of solar energy in the life and death of the human race [5][6][7][8]. My money invested in the industry has gone up and down with the markets like a roller coaster, but the industry has been improving in terms of technology all along and it has never stopped improving.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon has already been held for five years [9] and new ideas for more energy-saving comfy homes are still popping up like wild flowers!

Several new ideas have sprung up just last year!

A scanning electron microscopy image of carbon nanotubes bundles Image from Wikipedia

Carbon Nanotube Structure Image from Wikipedia

Copper nanowires and carbon nanotubes are potential candidates for the future generations of solar cells [10][11] with carbon nanotubes standing out due to its bendability [12] and strong UV/Nis-NIR absorption characteristics [13].

The most exciting, I reckon, goes to quantum dot as its production cost is considered to be one of the lowest. [14][15] So far, the technology is far from mature to be commercially produced, but the advancement of such technology seems to be improving exponentially as the number of news article increases daily.

"Life finds a way."
Sunflower's design a hint to efficient harvest of sunlight
Image from msnbcmedia.msn.com

Yesterday, a news article which talks about how sunflower actually hints the design of solar power plant. [16] The engineers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), were quoted

"It is very scary that we did all the [numerical optimization] work and then we go back to nature," he noted. "We could have started there.""

Well of course!!!! Do you think that thousands of years of evolution of the sunflowers means nothing??? The sunflowers date back to 2600BC and each floret is at a Golden Angle of 137.5° adjacent to another [17] [18] allowing maximum efficiency of sunlight harvest. This is no accident!!!

Head displaying florets in spirals of 34 and 55 around the outside
Image from Wikipedia

Haven't they watched Jurassic Park?

"Life finds a way." -- Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park

In terms of investment, even Google and non-tech investor Warren Buffett have begun to invest in the solar industry [19][20] !

Are they too slow? Or have they just got on the train at the right time?


Vocabulary:
saviour -- (n) UK a person who saves someone from danger or harm (US savior)
decathlon -- (n) [C] a competition in which a male athlete competes in ten sports events
copper nanowire 
carbon nanotube 
quantum dot 
floret -- (n) [C] a small part of a vegetable that is shaped like a flower
Golden Angle -- (n) 137.5° see Golden_angle

Resources:
[1] Solar Stocks Rise on Surging German Installs, China Growth @ Bloomberg Businessweek
http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LXNNK66S972B01-62ALRPJ02TU1TNHUK6Q6UIFOOO

[2] Solar Stocks Rally on Surging German Installs, China Doubling Capacity @ Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-11/solar-stocks-rise-on-china-growth-plans.html

[3] Asia Pacific solar market to grow 130% @ My Sinchew
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/68969

[4] Vestas Trouble for Wind Energy Co. not Clouding Solar Energy Prospects - Analysis @ International Business Times
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/280979/20120112/vestas-wind-layoffs-solar-energy-stock-upgrade.htm

Claymore/MAC Global Solar Index (ETF) @ Google Finance
http://www.google.com/finance?cid=723029

[5] Economics & Environment: The Green Energy Debate Amid Japan's Nuclear Crisis @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2011/03/economics-environment-green-energy.html

[6] Investment: What's after Solar? Wind Power @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/12/investment-whats-after-solar-wind-power.html

[7] Investment: Electric Cars vs Future -- Part 2 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/10/investment-electric-cars-vs-future-part_28.html
[8] Investment: Electric Cars vs Future -- Part 3 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/10/investment-electric-cars-vs-future-part_30.html

[9] Student Architects Shine in Solar Energy Contest @ VOA
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/environment/Students-Architects-Shine-in-Solar-Energy-Contest-130677728.html

[10] The next best thing for solar cells: carbon nanotubes @ bits of science
http://www.bitsofscience.org/solar-cell-carbon-nano-energy-3418/

[11] Improved solar cells and electronics thanks to copper nanowires @ bits of science
http://www.bitsofscience.org/solar-energy-electronics-nano-3411/

[12] New material for 'bendable' solar cells @ UPI
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/09/27/New-material-for-bendable-solar-cells/UPI-44371317167647/


[13] Carbon Nanotubes @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_nanotube#Solar_cells


[14] Quantum dot @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_dot#Photovoltaic_devices

[15] Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells Improve Energy Conversion Efficiency @ IEEE Spectrum
http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/colloidal-quantum-dot-solar-cells-improve-energy-conversion-efficiency


[16] Sunflowers inspire improved solar power plant @ Future of Technology
http://futureoftech.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/11/10118661-sunflowers-inspire-improved-solar-power-plant


[17] Sunflower @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower

[18] Golden Angle @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_angle

Jurassic Park @ IMDb
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/quotes


[19] Buffett investment in California solar farm could boost industry @ Los Angeles Times
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/08/business/la-fi-buffett-solar-20111208

[20] Google Invests $75 Million in Solar Panel Firm @ Mashable Business
http://mashable.com/2011/09/28/google-solar-panel-firm/


http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/saviour?q=saviour
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/decathlon?q=decathlon+
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/floret?q=floret+