Plug Power, the stationary fuel cell manufacturer, has finally got a permanent CFO to replace the temp. - David Waldek, appointed in February. Could this be the start of a long-heralded turnaround?

The stock is down over 40% from 12 months ago. If money was no object, I'm sure a lot of people would be buying fuel cells. It's just that it is an object. Only yesterday, I saw an advert in the newspaper for a new 5 kilowatt diesel generator generator for all of $2000. That really is hard to beat. And corporate customers would pay less.

The advantages of gas-powered fuel cells are real;

- they produce virtually no SOx, NOx, or CO
- they're also quiet and lightweight
- they have high reliability - 6 nines or 99.9999% to use the lingo

All the stationary fuel cell industry needs is a price breakthrough. But I can't see it coming any time soon.