Let’s dig into the relative performance of Generac (NYSE: GNRC) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 renewable energy earnings season.

Renewable energy companies are buoyed by the secular trend of green energy that is upending traditional power generation. Those who innovate and evolve with this dynamic market can win share while those who continue to rely on legacy technologies can see diminishing demand, which includes headwinds from increasing regulation against “dirty” energy. Additionally, these companies are at the whim of economic cycles, as interest rates can impact the willingness to invest in renewable energy projects.

The 16 renewable energy stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 8.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some renewable energy stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 5% since the latest earnings results.

Slowest Q4: Generac (NYSE: GNRC)

With its name deriving from a combination of “generating” and “AC”, Generac (NYSE: GNRC) offers generators and other power products for residential, industrial, and commercial use.

Generac reported revenues of $1.09 billion, down 11.6% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 5.9%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“Although our fourth quarter results reflect a softer outage environment and lower shipments of home standby and portable generators, our momentum in the data center end market has further accelerated as we continue to develop our position as a key supplier to multiple hyperscale customers which are expected to add significant volumes to our backlog over the next several quarters,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 12.7% since reporting and currently trades at $205.46.

Read our full report on Generac here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Sunrun (NASDAQ: RUN)

Helping homeowners use solar energy to power their homes, Sunrun (NASDAQ: RUN) provides residential solar electricity, specializing in panel installation and leasing services.

Sunrun reported revenues of $1.16 billion, up 124% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 92.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ ARR estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Sunrun pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The company added 27,773 customers to reach a total of 1.17 million. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 36.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $13.02.

Is now the time to buy Sunrun? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR)

Headquartered in Arizona, First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) specializes in manufacturing solar panels and providing photovoltaic solar energy solutions.

First Solar reported revenues of $1.68 billion, up 11.1% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 7%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

First Solar delivered the weakest full-year guidance update in the group. As expected, the stock is down 20.7% since the results and currently trades at $192.89.

Read our full analysis of First Solar’s results here.

American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC)

Founded in 1987, American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) has shifted from superconductor research to developing power systems, adapting to changing energy grid needs and naval technology requirements.

American Superconductor reported revenues of $74.53 million, up 21.4% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 8%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 21.4% since reporting and currently trades at $33.53.

Read our full, actionable report on American Superconductor here, it’s free.

Nextpower (NASDAQ: NXT)

With its technology playing a key role in the massive 1.2 gigawatt Noor Abu Dhabi solar farm project, Nextpower (NASDAQ: NXT) is a provider of solar tracker systems that help solar panels follow the sun.

Nextpower reported revenues of $909.4 million, up 33.9% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 11.5%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 24.9% since reporting and currently trades at $132.28.

Read our full, actionable report on Nextpower here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.