Greentech Media

Entrepreneurs dusted off their energy-efficiency business plans after Australia banned incandescent bulbs, and other countries -- as well as the state of California -- began considering similar measures (see Australia Bulb Ban to Spark Startups, Could California Ban the Bulb? and China Turns Off Lights).

Wal-Mart ended up being a surprise leader in this area, reaching its goal of selling 100 million compact fluorescent bulbs three months early and asking its suppliers to reduce their carbon footprints (see Wal-Mart Goes Green and Wal-Mart Surpasses Goal to Sell 100 Million Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Three Months Early).

Lighting startups also begin piquing the interest of venture capitalists. Among other examples, LED Lighting Fixtures grabbed $16.5 million, Element Lab closed a $12.75 million deal and CeeLight raised $4 million (see LED, Camera, Action, VCs Take a Shine to Lighting and Q&A: Cree's Bright Idea).