Best renewable energy stocks to watch in 2025

Renewable energy stocks in brief

The world has a problem. Energy demand continues to rise each year with a growing population — there were one billion humans on Earth in 1804, and over eight billion today — and the vast majority of energy used comes from burning fossil fuels including oil, coal and gas.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change considers that we can only burn at most between 20% and 30% of the remaining fossil fuel reserves to make sure we don’t hit the ‘catastrophic’ two degree upper limit — and the consensus seems to be that oil will run out by 2052 regardless, with gas following in 2060 and coal lasting perhaps until the end of the century.

Billions of dollars are now being poured into renewable infrastructure and technology — solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal. There’s also significant capital investment into nuclear, though as this requires the use of uranium, it can only be classified as a low carbon energy source as uranium will also eventually run out.

Solar energy uses photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems to convert sunlight into usable electricity, while wind energy relies on turbines. Hydropower generates electricity from flowing water, while geothermal energy uses heat from beneath the Earth's surface. Meanwhile, biomass produces energy from organic materials like plants and waste.

The sector is growing rapidly, particularly as costs fall and technology advances — while governments continue to use legislation to bring renewable targets forward and incentivise change. Perhaps cynically, some consider that governments are more interested in the enhanced energy security by diversifying energy sources, and reduced reliance on imported fuel.

Many analysts consider that the majority of the world’s energy supply will come from renewable resources by 2050 — and if nothing else, renewables are a major contributor to economic development, creating millions of jobs worldwide in manufacturing, installation and maintenance.

Of course, there are always going to be detractors. Critics point out that renewables are still less reliable than fossil fuels, and that current infrastructure is nowhere close to being able to replace non-renewable sources today. There are also concerns over the initial environmental costs of building and installing renewable infrastructure, which can create a carbon debt that takes years to pay back.

However, most believe this is the future, and as fossil fuels deplete, current choices may become future mandates — especially as more of the world demands first world living conditions and artificial intelligence energy demand surges.

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Investors look to grow their capital through share price returns and dividends - if paid.

But the value of investments can fall as well as rise, past performance is no indicator of future returns, and you could get back less than your original investment.

We also offer many renewable energy-focused ETFs, including the popular iShares Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF, which tracks many of the world’s largest renewable energy companies. It sports an expense fee of just 0.41%, with top holdings including First Solar and Iberdrola.

Top renewable energy stocks to watch

These were some of the largest renewable energy stocks in the world at the start of 2025. Be aware that there is some disagreement on what exactly constiutues a 'renewable energy stock,' meaning there is a level of subjectivity to the stock selection. For example, Iberdrola is not included because it is perhaps better categorised as a utility stock.

1. NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE)
2. GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV)
3. Sungrow Power Supply (SZ: 300274)
4. First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR)
5. Adani Green Energy (NSE: ADANIGREEN)
6. LONGi Green Energy Technology (SS: 601012)
7. Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP)
8. Vestas Wind Systems (CO: VWS)
9. China Longyuan Power Group (HK: 0916)
10. EDP Renováveis (LS: EDPR)

NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE)

NextEra Energy is a United States-based energy company which controls various subsidiaries including Florida Power & Light and NextEra Energy Resources, both of which focus on renewable energy generation. The company is a global leader in clean energy and invests heavily in solar, wind, and battery storage technology.

In Q2 2024, NextEra Energy saw revenue rise by 5% year-over-year to $7.1 billion, driven by higher sales from its renewable energy projects and the successful integration of various acquisitions.

GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV)

GE Vernova, formerly known as GE Power and GE Renewable Energy, is an American energy technology company based in Massachusetts. It was formed in 2024 after the merger and spin-off of General Electric's energy businesses and specialises in gas, wind, and renewable energy solutions. GE Vernova’s ambition is to transform the global energy industry by advancing the shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy.

In Q3 2024, GE Vernova’s revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $8.9 billion, driven by a rise in orders for gas power services and an increase in electrification revenue — though the company struggled with cost inflation, supply chain issues and delays in its wind division.

Sungrow Power Supply (SZ: 300274)

Sungrow Power Supply is a Chinese solar photovoltaic inverter manufacturing company. Founded in 1997, it remains a global leader in the development and production of solar inverters — which convert the direct current electricity captured by solar panels into usable alternating current electricity. The company also invests heavily in research and development for the sector.

In H1 2024, Sungrow Power Supply reported revenues of approximately CNY20.9 billion, though is facing challenges with increased competition in the solar industry.

First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR)

First Solar is an American solar technology company which specialises in the design and manufacturing of photovoltaic modules — solar panels are made up of many individual photovoltaic cells, which are connected together in chains.

The company is a key player in the global solar industry and has a significant presence in North America. Inarguably, it’s been instrumental in developing large-scale solar power projects worldwide.

In Q2 2024, First Solar reported revenues of $1 billion, with net income rising by 25% year-over-year to $349.4 million.

Adani Green Energy (NSE: ADANIGREEN)

Adani Green Energy is part of the wider Adani Group and is the key operator in the renewable energy sector in India. The company develops and operates solar and wind energy projects across the subcontinent and remains focused on scaling up its renewable capacity and reducing carbon emissions. The company is perhaps politically valuable given its role in supporting India's clean energy goals.

In Q1 2024, Adani Green Energy reported revenues of INR 2,500 crore, a 15% increase compared to the same quarter last year.

LONGi Green Energy Technology (SS: 601012)

LONGi Green Energy Technology is a Chinese company that specialises in the production of solar modules and photovoltaic products. It has over time become one of the largest manufacturers of solar cells and modules in the world.

LONGi is known for its advanced technology in monocrystalline silicon wafers — the thin slices of pure silicon that are used to make photovoltaic cells — and its contribution to the global solar energy sector. The company is famous for its commitment to driving down the cost of solar power generation through innovation.

In H1 2024, LONGi Green Energy saw revenue rise by 10% year-over-year to of CNY17.8 billion, though like its competitors is now facing increasingly stiff competition.

Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP)

Brookfield Renewable Partners is another global leader in renewable power, managing a large portfolio of assets including hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy farms. It operates across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia — and continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio through acquisitions and investment. The company is well-known for its long-term and carefully considered approach to the renewable energy sector.

In Q2 2024, the business saw revenue rise by 5% year-over-year to $1.2 billion, driven by higher production from its hydroelectric and wind assets.

Vestas Wind Systems (CO: VWS)

Vestas Wind Systems is a Danish company which is by some distance the world leader in wind turbine manufacturing. The company has installed more than 150GW of wind turbines in over 80 countries and also spends heavily on innovation in wind technology to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

In Q3 2024, Vestas Wind Systems reported revenues of €3.5 billion, a 10% increase from the same quarter the year before.

China Longyuan Power Group (HK: 0916)

China Longyuan Power Group is a major Chinese producer of wind and solar. The company develops, constructs and operates large-scale projects across China and internationally and is now one of China’s largest wind power operators — arguably at the forefront of China's push towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

In H1 2024, China Longyuan Power Group saw revenue rise by 5% year-over-year to CNY10 billion, while continuing to expand its capacity by commissioning several new wind and solar projects.

EDP Renováveis (LS: EDPR)

EDP Renovaveis, a subsidiary of the EDP Group, is a Portuguese company specializing in renewable energy production, also with a focus on wind and solar power. The company operates in Spain, the United States, and Brazil — and is well known across Europe’s renewable energy sector.

In H1 2024, EDP Renováveis saw revenue rise by 7% year-over-year to €1.5 billion, and has now commissioned 1,200 MW of renewable energy projects.

Renewable energy stocks summed up

• The vast majority of the world’s energy currently comes from burning fossil fuels including oil, coal and gas
• Many believe that oil will run out by 2052, with gas following in 2060 and coal lasting perhaps until the end of the century
• Billions of dollars are now being poured into renewable infrastructure and technology including solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal
• Analysts consider that the majority of the world’s energy supply will come from renewable resources by 2050