Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw its stock price plummet by 6% in intraday trading, as investors reacted to the company's underwhelming third-quarter performance and broader challenges facing the renewable energy sector. The hydrogen fuel cell provider's struggles reflect a difficult period for clean energy stocks amid economic uncertainties.

Plug Power reported revenues of $173.7 million for the third quarter, marking a 12.6% year-over-year decline and falling short of analysts' expectations by a significant 18.7%. The company's disappointing results were compounded by a miss on Power Purchase Agreements revenue estimates and a substantial downward revision of its full-year revenue guidance, further eroding investor confidence.

The poor performance of Plug Power is not an isolated incident in the renewable energy sector. The industry as a whole has faced headwinds, with the 18 tracked renewable energy stocks showing mixed results in Q3. On average, these companies missed revenue estimates by 5.4%, and their share prices have declined by 25.6% since the latest earnings reports. This sector-wide struggle highlights the challenges faced by clean energy firms in the current economic climate, including the impact of interest rates on renewable energy project investments and evolving market dynamics.