Clean Energy Stocks
Track 12 clean energy stocks across solar, nuclear, utilities, and water infrastructure
The AI Power Story
Data centers powering AI require massive amounts of electricity. Nuclear plants (Constellation Energy, Vistra) have surged as tech companies sign power purchase agreements for clean, reliable baseload power. This "AI power trade" has made some utilities among the best-performing stocks of 2024-2025.
Solar
2 stocks
| Company | Ticker | 1Y Return | 5Y Return | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Solar, Inc. | FSLR | +47.6% | +155.7% | - |
| Enphase Energy, Inc. | ENPH | -24.2% | -70.4% | - |
Nuclear & Clean Utilities
4 stocks
| Company | Ticker | 1Y Return | 5Y Return | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vistra Corp. | VST | +16.4% | +866.5% | 60.0% |
| NextEra Energy, Inc. | NEE | +31.1% | +40.8% | 268.0% |
| The AES Corporation | AES | +22.2% | -37.7% | 492.0% |
| Constellation Energy Corporati | CEG | +30.9% | N/A | 63.0% |
Traditional Utilities (Clean Mix)
5 stocks
| Company | Ticker | 1Y Return | 5Y Return | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Southern Company | SO | +8.4% | +86.1% | 304.0% |
| Exelon Corporation | EXC | +11.5% | +83.5% | 341.0% |
| Duke Energy Corporation | DUK | +10.7% | +68.3% | 322.0% |
| Xcel Energy Inc. | XEL | +14.9% | +43.8% | 294.0% |
| Dominion Energy, Inc. | D | +14.7% | +2.0% | 425.0% |
Water
1 stocks
| Company | Ticker | 1Y Return | 5Y Return | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Water Works Company, | AWK | -1.4% | +7.8% | 240.0% |
5-Year Returns Comparison
Clean Energy Investment Landscape
Solar has been volatile. After a boom during the 2020-2021 period, solar stocks like Enphase and First Solar corrected sharply as interest rates rose. However, they remain central to the energy transition.
Nuclear is back. Constellation Energy and Vistra have surged as AI data centers demand clean baseload power. Nuclear provides 24/7 carbon-free electricity that renewables alone cannot match.
Utilities offer income + growth. Traditional utilities like NextEra, Duke, and Southern invest heavily in renewables while paying consistent dividends. They offer lower volatility than pure-play solar.
ESG considerations: Clean energy stocks often appear in ESG funds and portfolios focused on climate solutions, providing additional demand support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best clean energy stocks?
The best performing clean energy stock over 5 years is VST with a return of +866.5%. Nuclear and clean utilities have outperformed solar stocks recently, driven by AI data center power demand. The average 5-year return across 12 clean energy stocks is +113.3%.
Are solar stocks or nuclear stocks a better investment?
Nuclear stocks like Constellation Energy and Vistra have dramatically outperformed solar stocks recently due to AI data center power demand. Nuclear provides reliable 24/7 baseload power that intermittent solar cannot match. Solar stocks like Enphase and First Solar were hurt by rising interest rates but remain central to the long-term energy transition.
How do clean energy stock returns compare to oil stocks?
Clean energy returns have been mixed compared to traditional energy. While nuclear utilities have surged, solar stocks have underperformed oil and gas companies over the past 3-5 years. The sector is sensitive to interest rates, government policy, and technology costs. The clean energy average dividend yield is 280.9%, competitive with traditional energy.
How has the Inflation Reduction Act affected clean energy stocks?
The IRA provides billions in tax credits for solar, wind, nuclear, and EV infrastructure. It has broadly supported clean energy companies, though market reactions have been mixed. Solar installers and manufacturers benefit directly from production and investment tax credits. Nuclear and utility companies benefit from clean energy production credits.
What are the best clean energy ETFs?
Popular clean energy ETFs include ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy), QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge), TAN (Invesco Solar), and NLR (VanEck Uranium+Nuclear). ICLN provides broad clean energy exposure. TAN focuses on solar specifically. For nuclear exposure, NLR or individual utility stocks like CEG and VST are options.