As stunning as the comeback of the utes has been the sudden reappearance of solar energy stocks. Remember "alternative" energy? It had become quite a joke of a group after starting life as market darling. The iconic boom and bust in the group had been First Solar(FSLR), which soared 1100% in 2007-2008 (to $300 from $25), only to turn around and fall 95% (to $12.50) through mid-2012.

Yet lo and behold, the clouds have parted for the solar stocks, and it appears that sunny days are here again, at least in recent weeks, as the group is making rather impressive progress in the past few weeks and months. Industry leader First Solar started this year by falling 25% in two months, but has since turned around to record a 100% gain from March 1 to the present.

Likewise scrambling to their feet with big gains, yet still tiny prices, are all the other little solar stocks such as LDK Solar(LDK), Suntech(STP), Canadian Solar(CSIQ), China Sunergy(CSUN), Trina Solar (TSL) and even SunEdison,which has the delightful symbol SUNE. You may know the latter better under the name it held until two months ago, MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR). It was a maker of solar energy silicon that rose 1000% from 2003 to 2008, only to crash 90% through the middle of last year as well. It started this by banging out a 80% gain through February, then consolidated a bit before charging higher until it has now logged a 200% gain for the year.

Why is this happening? Solar is one of those classic stories in which government subsidies skewed the economic returns such that far more capacity was built than demand ever merited. The industry has consolidated a great deal, with many companies going under and many factories closed. But now demand is finally picking up again.

The latest spur: The Chinese government this week announced plans to add 10 gigawatts of solar power a year over the next three years, according to a Bloomberg report of a statement from the State Council posted on the government's website. The plan would increase the nation's solar installed capacity fivefold to more than 35 gigawatts by 2015.

"I think they're going to sustain these high levels of growth and soak up some of the excess capacity," Angelo Zino, an analyst at Standard & Poor's in New York, said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Oversupply led to a 20 percent plunge in the average price of solar panels last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. China will provide credit support to profitable photovoltaic manufacturers and encourage restructuring and overseas investment, according to yesterday's statement.

I will list out all the solar stocks for your observation over the next few months on the same online page as our New Hotshots and Sugar Pops buy lists. These stocks are so beaten down and their prices are so low that there could be substantial movement over the next few months should the theme continue to attract attention and have merit.