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SOL vs SHLS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Solar
SOL vs SHLS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Solar | Solar |
| Market Cap | $100M | $1.40B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $71M | $536M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-5M | $34M |
| Gross Margin | 33.9% | 33.5% |
| Operating Margin | -49.8% | 11.2% |
| Forward P/E | — | 20.6x |
| Total Debt | $63M | $175M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $50M | $7M |
SOL vs SHLS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jan 21 | Dec 25 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emeren Group, Ltd. (SOL) | 100 | 9.4 | -90.6% |
| Shoals Technologies… (SHLS) | 100 | 24.7 | -75.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SOL vs SHLS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SOL is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.33
- -68.2% 10Y total return vs SHLS's -73.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.33, Low D/E 18.8%, current ratio 3.87x
SHLS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 19.1%, EPS growth 42.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.3%
- 19.1% revenue growth vs SOL's -12.8%
- 6.3% margin vs SOL's -7.5%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.1% revenue growth vs SOL's -12.8% | |
| Quality / Margins | 6.3% margin vs SOL's -7.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.33 vs SHLS's 2.08, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +88.9% vs SOL's +39.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.7% ROA vs SOL's -1.2%, ROIC 5.9% vs -0.1% |
SOL vs SHLS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SOL vs SHLS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHLS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHLS is the larger business by revenue, generating $536M annually — 7.5x SOL's $71M. SHLS is the more profitable business, keeping 6.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SOL's -7.5%. On growth, SHLS holds the edge at +74.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $71M | $536M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$27M | $71M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$5M | $34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $34M | -$77M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +33.9% | +33.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -49.8% | +11.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -7.5% | +6.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +47.4% | -14.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +21.6% | +74.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -27.7% | — |
Valuation Metrics
SOL leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, SOL's 17.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SHLS's 24.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $100M | $1.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $113M | $1.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -8.08x | 41.65x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 20.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.62x | 24.09x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.08x | 2.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.30x | 2.34x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
SHLS leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHLS delivers a 5.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $6 in annual profit, vs $-2 for SOL. SOL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.19x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SHLS's 0.29x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SHLS scores 5/9 vs SOL's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -1.6% | +5.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -1.2% | +3.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.1% | +5.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.1% | +7.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.19x | 0.29x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $13M | $168M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $50M | $7M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $63M | $175M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -9.38x | 11.65x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SOL leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SHLS five years ago would be worth $2,835 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,366 for SOL. Over the past 12 months, SHLS leads with a +88.9% total return vs SOL's +39.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SOL at -21.2% vs SHLS's -25.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | — | -8.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +39.6% | +88.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -51.0% | -57.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -76.3% | -71.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -68.2% | -73.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -21.2% | -25.0% |
Risk & Volatility
SOL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SOL is the less volatile stock with a 0.33 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SHLS's 2.08 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SOL currently trades 99.5% from its 52-week high vs SHLS's 73.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.33x | 2.08x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $1.95 | $11.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.37 | $3.81 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.5% | +73.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 68.8 | 61.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 609K | 5.3M |
Analyst Outlook
SHLS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $9.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 23 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +7.2% | +0.0% |
SHLS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SOL leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns).
SOL vs SHLS: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SOL or SHLS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) is the stronger pick with 19. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -12. 8% for Emeren Group, Ltd. (SOL). Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) offers the better valuation at 41. 6x trailing P/E (20. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) a "Buy" — based on 23 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — SOL or SHLS?
Over the past 5 years, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) delivered a total return of -71. 6%, compared to -76. 3% for Emeren Group, Ltd. (SOL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SOL returned -68. 2% versus SHLS's -73. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — SOL or SHLS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Emeren Group, Ltd.
(SOL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 33β versus Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. 's 2. 08β — meaning SHLS is approximately 539% more volatile than SOL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Emeren Group, Ltd. (SOL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 19% versus 29% for Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — SOL or SHLS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) is pulling ahead at 19. 1% versus -12. 8% for Emeren Group, Ltd. (SOL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. grew EPS 42. 9% year-over-year, compared to -328. 6% for Emeren Group, Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SHLS leads at 13. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — SOL or SHLS?
Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 1% net margin versus -13. 6% for Emeren Group, Ltd. — meaning it keeps 7. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SHLS leads at 11. 9% versus -0. 5% for SOL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SHLS leads at 35. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — SOL or SHLS?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
07Is SOL or SHLS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Emeren Group, Ltd.
(SOL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 33)). Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) carries a higher beta of 2. 08 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SOL: -68. 2%, SHLS: -73. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between SOL and SHLS?
Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: SOL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SHLS is a small-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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