September 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks. Includes top analyst picks on AI infrastructure stocks, alternative energy, and wind stocks.

Transcript & Links, Episode 171, September 25, 2026

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 171, published on September 25, 2026, titled “September 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks.”

This podcast is presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your go-to site for vital global, ethical, and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a transcript, stock symbol links, and bonus material on this episode’s podcast page. Go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts. Additionally, I don’t receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. And, I will reveal any investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

I have a great crop of 22 articles for you in this podcast! Note: companies are sometimes covered more than once. Now I’ve chosen 4 to quote from. Titles and links to the other 18 can be found on the webpage for this podcast edition.

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1) Which Solar Stock Has Dominated in 2026: SolarEdge, Enphase Energy, or First Solar?

I’m beginning this podcast episode with an article on the ongoing theme of top solar stocks. The article is titled Which Solar Stock Has Dominated in 2026: SolarEdge, Enphase Energy, or First Solar? It appeared on finance.yahoo.com and was written by David Moadel. Here is some of his analysis.

“SolarEdge Technologies (NASDAQ: SEDG) stock closed at $34.20, up 19% year to date. Meanwhile, Enphase Energy (NASDAQ: ENPH) stock finished at $36.37, up 13%. First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) stock, the largest and most profitable name of the three, ended at $204.45, down 22%.

Between them sits a sector fund that never picked a side. The Invesco Solar ETF (NYSEARCA: TAN) was down 2% year to date. To provide the broader context, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA: SPY) was up 13%, putting the broad market above every solar name except SolarEdge…

Why SolarEdge Beat the Group

SolarEdge’s rally reflects recovery from deeply depressed levels rather than a rerating on quality. The company captured more than 50% of U.S. commercial and industrial rooftop installations in the most recent industry report, and… scaling its Nexus platform across Europe. Management has also pointed to the SolarEdge SST as an early foothold in AI data center power infrastructure.

Enphase’s own IQ Solid-State Transformer targets the same AI power theme, with pilots planned for 2027 and commercial shipments in 2028. First Solar’s problem was different. Its utility-scale model leans on Section 45X credits, and its 2026 guidance still assumes $2.10 billion to $2.19 billion of those credits.

First Solar’s underlying business still looked strong on paper. The company’s Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization], margin reached 61%, up from 51% a year earlier, and its contracted backlog stands at 45.1 gigawatts extending through 2030. Yet, First Solar stock spent the year absorbing a legal overhang from securities litigation tied to prior tariff disclosures alongside market questions about backlog conversion and future average selling prices.

Reading the 2026 Scorecard

The takeaway is that 2026 rewarded recovery from depressed levels rather than quality, and the largest, most profitable name in the group sits at the bottom. Investors sizing their exposure to any of these solar stocks should keep their positions moderate given the policy sensitivity. Another credit or tariff headline can flip the leaderboard again before year-end.”

End quotes.

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2) 2 Superior AI Infrastructure Stocks to Buy and Hold for 10 Years

Now, another ongoing theme on this podcast concerns AI infrastructure stocks. This article offers one top analyst’s view of the current situation. It’s titled 2 Superior AI Infrastructure Stocks to Buy and Hold for 10 Years and is on fool.com. It’s by Micah Zimmerman. Here are some quotes on his picks.

“Investors who want exposure to artificial intelligence without betting on a single chip or any of the popular ones should look hard at the infrastructure layer.

1. Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET)

Arista Networks has become a core supplier of modern cloud networks and is now leaning hard into serving as the backbone for large AI systems. Earlier this year, it rolled out the 7060XE7 Series, a family of switches built specifically for rack‑scale AI fabrics, in which the network is treated as part of an integrated AI system rather than a bolt‑on tier.

The idea is simple: As AI workloads scale from thousands to hundreds of thousands of accelerators, the wires between those chips start to matter just as much as the chips themselves. In other words, Arista wants to be the nervous system that keeps giant clusters of AI hardware talking to each other quickly and reliably for years to come.

2. Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT)

Vertiv focuses on keeping AI hardware powered and cool so it can run nonstop. It builds the core gear for data centers: power systems, cooling equipment, racks, and control software. In its 2026 Frontiers report, Vertiv argued that rising AI workloads are forcing data centers to get denser and bigger, which means they will need higher‑voltage power, more liquid cooling, and, in many cases, their own on‑site energy over the next decade.

In other words, Vertiv is betting that electricity and cooling will be just as important to AI as chips are and wants to be the company that solves those problems…

[So], Vertiv is trying to make it easy for data center operators to buy ‘AI‑ready’ power and cooling packages, test them up front, and plug them in quickly when they are ready to scale.”

End quotes.

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3) 3 Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Amid the Escalating Iran War

This next article also concerns an important sector, alternative energy. It’s titled 3 Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Amid the Escalating Iran War. It’s from zacks.com and by Abhinab Dasgupta. Here’s some of what he writes.

“1. Bloom Energy (BE)

designs and sells solid oxide fuel cell systems and electrolyzers for on-site electricity generation and hydrogen production, serving utilities, data centers and other industries. Bloom Energy’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 238.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has improved 24.2% over the past 60 days. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

2. NANO Nuclear (NNE)

develops advanced microreactors, including KRONOS, LOKI, ZEUS and ODIN, while pursuing nuclear fuel processing, transportation and consulting businesses. Nano’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 24.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 15.8% over the past 60 days. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

3. XPLR Infra (XIFR)

operates contracted clean energy assets, including wind, solar and battery storage projects, across the United States. XPLR’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 136.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 108.2% over the past 60 days. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.

End quotes.

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4) 3 Wind Energy Stocks Worth Adding to Your Portfolio Right Now

Now, my final review article for this podcast is titled 3 Wind Energy Stocks Worth Adding to Your Portfolio Right Now. It’s from finance.yahoo.com and is by Avisekh Bhattacharjee. Now some quotes from the article.

“[Note: this is] an updated edition of the July 17, 2026 article.

1. Pinnacle West Capital (PNW)

Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, provides electricity services in Arizona through its subsidiaries. While the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company’s principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service (‘APS’) purchases wind power from Arizona and New Mexico wind facilities and provides clean electricity, its other unit, PNW Power, has certain wind and transmission-related joint venture investments…

The company’s major capital projects continued to proceed per plan and the addition of new renewable projects continues to boost the portfolio. The APS unit secured 3,606 MW of battery storage capacity, 2,649 MW of solar capacity, 517 MW of natural gas resources and 500 MW of wind resources, with these additions scheduled to enter service between 2026 and 2028. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW): Free Stock Analysis Report.

2. MGE Energy (MGEE)

Based in Madison, WI, produces electricity using coal, natural gas and renewable resources, while also offering solar and wind generation along with battery storage services…

MGE continues to work on its strategy of making long-term investments in clean energy assets. Since 2015, the Zacks Rank #2 company has incorporated 93 MW of wind generation, 253 MW of solar and 11 MW of battery storage capacity into its renewable electricity portfolio.

t also plans to add about 18 MW of wind, 252 MW of solar and 125 MW of battery storage by 2030-end through projects that have either received or are awaiting approval from PSCW (Public Service Commission of Wisconsin). MGE Energy Inc. (MGEE): Free Stock Analysis Report.

3. Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF)

is a renowned designer, manufacturer, installer and service provider for wind turbines across the globe. The company is capitalizing on rising demand for renewable power through its emphasis on wind capacity expansion, technological advancement and sustainable energy development.

In August 2026, the Zacks Rank #2 company secured two new orders from JUWI to deliver wind turbines in Germany for a total of 86 MW. Also, in the same month, the company clinched turbine orders for 65 MW in Italy and 306 MW in the United States. Apart from this,

Vestas secured a deal from Statkraft Peru to develop a 72 MW Emma Wind Farm in Piura, marking its return to Peru with the 4 MW platform. These orders are indicative of the strong demand that Vestas wind turbines enjoy worldwide. Vestas Wind Systems AS (VWDRY): Free Stock Analysis Report.”

End quotes.

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18 more articles from around the world with Sustainable Investment Picks for September 2026.

1. Title: $AirJoule Technologies (AIRJ.US)$ $AIRJ — LONG-TERM INVESTOR… from moomoo.com Community. By GUL.

2. Title: Nobody’s Talking About This Energy Company, but It’s Quietly Signing the Power Deals Feeding the AI Build-Out from fool.com. By Matt DiLallo.

3. Title: Prediction: This AI Infrastructure Stock Will Soar After Sept. 3 (Hint: It’s Not Broadcom). From fool.com. By Harsh Chauhan.

4. Title: MEDIA RELEASE: Beyond Investing to launch International Vegan Climate ETF on September 10th 2026 on the CBOE BZX Exchange. Press release by Beyond Investing.

5. Title: Energy Storage Stocks Tesla And Fluence May Get A Trump Boost on investors.com. By Harriet Weber.

6. Title: What Are the Top Clean Technology Companies in 2026? From marketgrowthreports.com. By Energy & Power.

7. Title: Meet the AI Infrastructure Stock That Has Tripled in 2026 (Hint: It Can Still Double)from fool.com. By Harsh Chauhan.

8. Title: Bloom Energy is trading more options than SpaceX from cnbc.com. By Oliver Renick@OJRenick, Tyler Bailey.

9. Title: 3 Alternative Energy Stocks Riding The Energy Security Shift from simplywall.st. By Simply Wall St.

Continuing

10. Title: The AI Infrastructure Stock That Could Make Investors Millionaires Is Hiding in Plain Sight, and Wall Street Isn’t Paying Attention. From finance.yahoo.com. By Harsh Chauhan, The Motley Fool.

11. Title: Renewable Energy & Battery Stocks to Buy Amid Global Warming Woes from globeandmail.com. By Zacks Investment Research.

12. Title: NVIDIA vs. Marvell: Which AI Infrastructure Stock Is the Better Buy? From finance.yahoo.com? By Anirudha Bhagat at Zacks.

13. Title: Prediction: This AI Infrastructure Stock Will Go Parabolic After Sept. 30 (Hint: It’s Not Micron. From finance.yahoo.com. By Harsh Chauhan, The Motley Fool.

14. Title: 3 Alternative-Energy Stocks That Could Withstand Fed’s Rate Hike – September 18, 2026 from Zacks.com. By Tanvi Sarawagi.

15. Title: Can mining ever be sustainable? | Hargreaves Lansdown. From hl.co.uk. By Dominic Rowles. Edited by Matthew Davies.

16. Title: Amova’s Williams: Why green bonds deserve a second look from portfolio-advisor.com. By Steve Williams.

17. Title: Not Nvidia. Not Micron. Meet the AI Infrastructure Stock That Could Triple in Just 3 Years. From finance.yahoo.com. By Harsh Chauhan, The Motley Fool.

18. Title: Buy The Dip: 2 High-Yield Infrastructure Income Machines Getting Way Too Cheap from seekingalpha.com. By High Yield Investor.

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Ending Comment

These are my top news stories plus their stock and fund tips for this podcast, “September 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks.”

Plus, go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this episode to get all 22 article links, stock symbols and links, and much more. And go there to read the transcript of this podcast and additional information.

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Thank you for listening.

My next podcast will be on October 30^th.

See you then. Bye for now.

© 2026 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul