First Solar announced recently that after the market closed on October 15th, the company's common stock was added to the S&P 500 Index.

This represents an important turning point for the solar industry as First Solar is the first pure play renewable energy company that has been added to the index.

First Solar creates comprehensive PV system solutions and advanced semiconductor technology. The company is also working hard on decreasing the costs of manufacturing and thereby making solar power a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil-fuels.