By Lucas Scholhamer

Are there clear skies ahead? We’ve identified 13 solar stock rockets about to take off.

After Japans nuclear power scare, safer energy sources became an instant priority of nations spanning the globe. Weeks later, the Obama administrations Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future looked to turn out the lights on foreign oil dependence, opting to exploit Americas limited reserves and subsequently catalyze the development of alternative energy sources. In the wake of these events, the solar energy industry is looking to capitalize on this rare opportunity by championing its increasingly affordable and ever-advancing technology. We take a look at 13 stocks that may help investors benefit from the sunny forecast.

Canadian Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSIQ ): Manufacturing solar modules, power systems, and other specialized solar products for customers in over 30 countries, this Ontario-based solar technology giant appears poised for long-term growth. CSIQ shares traded at $10.80 upon closing Thursday, hoping to recover from a fall off their YTD high of $16.38 in February. Canadian Solar, Inc. recently announced an engineering, procurement, and construction agreement with SkyPower Limited to construct a monstrous 30 megawatt solar field in Ontario capable of powering 50,000 homes over the next 20 years. With a P/E ratio of 9.40 and a 1-year target estimate of $12.48, investors with long-term time horizons should take note of the current affordability of this stock.

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR ): If Canadian Solars plans seemed ambitious, First Solar, Inc.s are downright fantastical. The worlds largest solar panel producer announced plans to construct a $300 million, 500 megawatt solar field in Arizona that will effectively double the U.S. solar energy production capacity. FSLR stock, with a P/E ratio of 19.35, traded at $148.80 Thursday, continuing to fall off its recent spike that saw shares valued as high as $160.84 last week. Additionally, General Electric (NYSE:GE ) announced Friday morning that it plans to construct a $600 million solar factory to compete directly with First Solar, Inc. pressuring the industry leader to take strides to maintain its supremacy.

JA Solar Holdings, Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ:JASO ): The Shanghai-based solar cell manufacturer is optimistic that decreasing polysilicon prices will help alleviate high production costs and enable the company to offer more competitive construction deals. JASO stock dropped to $6.76 Thursday, well below its YTD high of $8.52 last February. With a low 4.33 P/E ratio and a one-year target estimate of $9.32, JA Solar Holdings shares appear to be a cheap buy with short and long-term prospects. The industry quality leader has a 13.1% average return on equity over the last three years.

JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE:JKS ): Another Chinese solar energy producer is enjoying the industrys bright prospects. JinkoSolar Holding Co. known for its dynamic vertically-integrated corporate structure, has a P/E ratio of 3.88, and shares appreciated to $25.79 Thursday. Despite its high volatilitythe 52-week range has wavered from $8.23 to $41.73the company has outperformed its expectations and has a one-year target estimate of $35.93. JK Solar Holdings also boasts high efficiency ratings for its monocrystalline and multicrystalline modules, a factor that could become more significant as production costs decrease industry-wide.

LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE:LDK ): This Xinyu City, China-based company has been looking to soak up more sun recently. In the last week alone, the manufacturer has acquired a 70% stake in Solar Power, Inc. and expanded its annual solar cell capacity to 570 megawatts through the opening of a new Chinese manufacturing site. LDK stock dropped 2.66% to $11.71 Thursday as shares continue to struggle after falling from a YTD high of $14.50 last February. However, LDK posted Q4 profits and is optimistically projecting first-quarter revenues well above Wall Street predictions. LDK stock has a P/E ratio of 11.61.

ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE:SOL ): ReneSola shares traded down 1.01% to $9.81 Thursday. The leading manufacturer of solar wafers is based in China and sells products to many of the worlds most successful solar module producers. The company grew its revenues by 136.2% to $1.2 billion in 2010, with profits topping $169 million. Additionally, ReneSola plans to ship 400-450 megawatts to new and existing customers in 2011, a significant increase from last years total of 291.1 megawatts. With a P/E ratio of 5.06 and a one-year target estimate of $14.78, SOL stock is a cheap buy that has great potential for growth in 2011. We also wrote about ReneSola in ‘9 Great Stocks Trading Under $10 ‘.

GT Solar International, Inc. (SOLR ): Stock for this U.S.-based manufacturer of photovoltaic panel construction equipment has appreciated to twice its original value in the last year alone. However, at $10.24 per share upon closing Thursday, SOLR stock is still a relative bargain in the semiconductor field. With the dramatic projected growth of the industry and heightening efficiency standards, the company hopes to profit from increasing capital investment in the near future. SOLR boasts a 130.90% return on equity over the last year and has a considerable 9.48 P/E ratio. Additionally, GT Solar International, Inc. received a $41 million order for furnaces from an Asia-based customer near the beginning of Marchthe fourth order of its kind so far this year.

SunPower Corporation (SPWRA): Even the older kids want to come out and play, and SunPower Corporation, founded in 1985, is no exception. Share values for the San Jose-based manufacturer of high-efficiency photovoltaic cells dropped to $17.07 Thursday. However, SPWRA stock has steadily climbed back up towards its $18.34 high last February and posts a 9.74 P/E ratio. With SunPower projecting its global network of dealers to double in size by the end of FY 2011, the companys diverse customer base will continue to grow and expand its presence in Europe. Additionally, SunPower recently announced a deal to install solar panels capable of producing 11 megawatts of power on the roofs of schools and businesses in Tucson, Arizona, which should increase its visibility in the short run. Combined with the companys strong preference for short-term contracts, SPWRA is positioned for growth in the near future.

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE:STP ): The worlds largest producer of silicon solar modules has already established a strong claim as a top solar energy producer. The company has offices in 13 countries, customers in 67 more, and was the first solar producer with the capacity to generate over 1 gigawatt of power annually (capacity now tops 4.35 GW). STP stock dropped to $9.43 Thursday, and it has a P/E ratio of 6.55. The company may have to contend with the reduction of alternative energy production incentives in Italythe country was responsible for 14% of STPs revenues last yearand it will need to adjust to new leadership: David King replaced Amy Zhang as the companys CFO last week. But given Suntechs $9.82 one-year target estimate and its precedence for steady growth, this stock may present a valuable opportunity for investors with long-term aspirations.

Trina Solar, Ltd. (NYSE:TSL ): This China-based producer of mono- and multi-crystalline photovoltaic modules has taken the industry by storm. Although Trina Solar stock dropped 1.85% to $29.26 Thursday, share values have steadily inched back up from their $24.23 low in early March. TSL offers a P/E ratio of 7.32 and a one-year target estimate of $36.66 per share. Trina Solar produced twice as many photovoltaic modules in 2010 as it did in 2009, and perhaps more importantly, it has been able to sustain this growth. Share values have risen nearly 28% since the beginning of the year and 18% in the last 52 weeks, so watch for the explosive expansion to continue in the near future.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (WFR ): MEMC has been designing and developing silicon wafer products for over 50 years, weathering economic downturns as they come. But even a strong history cant immunize a company from natural disasters, and a rare opportunity may arise for investors to capitalize in the near future. Within the week, inspectors are planning to assess damage to MEMCs Japan manufacturing plant from the recent earthquake. WFR stock dropped 0.56% to $12.40 Thursday, and it could dip closer to its YTD low of $11.00 if extensive damage is found during the inspection. With a P/E ratio of 82.67, MEMC is focused on long-term growth. Still, its presence in the semiconductor industry outside of solar technology may help to buffer the effects of negative events within the solar-based divisions of the company.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE:YGE ): This vertically-integrated photovoltaic manufacturer, based in Baoding, China, took a major hit Friday as share values dropped 3.96% to $12.37. Despite the drop, YGE stock is still closer to the upper side of its 52-week range, having appreciated nearly 28% in 2011. YGE has a P/E ratio of 8.97. Furthermore, the company was selected to supply photovoltaic products for approximately 70% of Chinas new Golden Sun Program, an initiative that will add 272 megawatts of solar energy into the countrys power grids. The company received an advance payment of roughly 35% of the total purchase price in December 2010 and is expecting the other 65% (approximately $1.4 billion) in the second half of 2011.

Hanwha Solar One Co. (NASDAQ:HSOL ): Formerly known as Solarfun Power Holdings, this China-based manufacturer of a variety of solar products has struggled to recover from an early March downfall. However, prices seem to be at least stabilizing, with HSOL shares closing at $7.39 Friday. With annual reports indicating a 154.6% increase in PV module shipments from 2009 to 2010 and a 99.2% increase in total revenues last year, Hanwha Solar One Co. experienced tremendous success prior to a dismal February and March. With a P/E ratio of just 4.11 and a one-year target estimate of $10.61, this price dip presents an opportunity to pick up HSOL stock at a low cost before an industry upswing.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.