WilderHill Clean Energy Index vs S&P5000

WilderHill Clean Energy Index, consisting of power generators and equipment producers, has trailed the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index since the latter gauge peaked in October 2007.

The WilderHill index showed a 57 percent loss as of yesterday, largely because of declines among solar companies. SunPower Corp., the worst performer, tumbled 84 percent. The S&P500 was only 18 percent lower.

Obama’s top adviser on energy and climate issues, Carol Browner, is planning to leave the administration, a White House official said on the condition of anonymity. Browner helped to lead the White House’s unsuccessful effort to pass climate-change legislation in the Senate last year.