** Shares of solar companies rise after U.S. Federal Reserve cuts interest rate by a sizeable half percentage point

** Shares of Jinko Solar , Enphase Energy , Sunnova Energy rise between 3.8% and 4.8%

** First Solar and Sunrun up 3.5% and 3.8%, respectively

** Demand for solar rises when rates are low as solar projects are capital intensive

** Higher interest rates raise the costs of solar projects, making it expensive investment for homeowners

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru)

((Pooja.Menon@thomsonreuters.com))