Today's Date:
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Finance & Venture Capital
May 2, 2008
The Palo Alto Research Center plans to launch a venture-capital-backed company that can improve solar cells' efficiency with thinner electricity-conducting grid lines. The center also hopes to commercialize a low-energy water-filtration technology, reusable printing paper and energy-management software for data centers, all in the next year.
May 1, 2008
Only a few months after partnering with cellulosic-ethanol startup Coskata, the automaker teams up with a Coskata competitor, Mascoma, and takes an undisclosed stake in the company.
April 30, 2008
The thin-film darling's shares rise 2% after the company beats first-quarter earnings expectations and raises its forecast for the full year.
April 30, 2008
With more than 700 megawatts of projects in its pipeline and at least $71.7 million in funding, Optisolar has big plans for thin film. So why have you heard so little about them?
April 29, 2008
The LDK Investor Group says Best Solar, a thin-film startup founded by LDK CEO Xiaofeng Peng, placed the $1.9 billion order that Applied Materials reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March.
April 28, 2008
Among other companies, Xunlight, Infinia, SolarOne and Hydrogen Engine Center closed deals in the last week. And the U.S. Department of Energy committed $243 million to greentech.
April 28, 2008
Slovenia-based Pipistrel is taking orders for the world's first electric glider, Oregon-based Windward Performance seeks funding for a battery-powered plane and the Experimental Aircraft Association petitions for permission to bring small electric aircraft to consumers.
April 24, 2008
More than half of the staff scientists at the U.S. EPA say they have experienced political interference, according to a study from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Meanwhile, the California Clean Energy Fund opens a new center as its public policy arm.
April 22, 2008
As the last round of U.S. presidential primaries kicks off in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, also known as Earth Day, the cleantech community reflects on which candidate to call its own.
April 21, 2008
Solar-thermal developer eSolar snags $130 million while competitor Stirling Energy Systems gets $100 million, and the U.S. Department of Energy spends up to $86 million more for biofuel demonstration projects.
April 19, 2008
Solar companies Evergreen Solar and SunPower both see shares drop after posting better-than-expected revenues.
April 17, 2008
The Clean Energy Council launches a fellowship program in the hope of moving 25 experienced executives into greentech each year.
April 16, 2008
More startups and investors are coming aboard the small-wind power market. But will obstacles such as permitting and zoning laws, high upfront costs and a lack of a federal incentive blow these technologies off course?
April 16, 2008
It's a blimp, it's a balloon, it's a…wind turbine? With an eye on a $12 million second round, Magenn Power hopes to prove its airship-based technology is more than just neat pictures on a Web site.
April 16, 2008
Nevada-based Mariah Power has developed a propeller-free turbine that turns wind -- which sets the clouds a-flyin' -- into energy.
April 16, 2008
Quiet Revolution has pilot installations, a newly opened factory, a sold-out order book and $2.3 million. It claims its turbines generate 20 to 40 percent more energy for their size, compared to conventional turbines. But will all that -- and regulatory support -- be enough to make a market?
April 16, 2008
With a 21-year history, Southwest Windpower has been around the block. But after some unexpected permitting and zoning setbacks, the company says sales are growing "exponentially" and it plans to turn a profit in the fourth quarter.
April 15, 2008
In a discussion about his book, "Earth: The Sequel," Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp talks about a U.S. carbon cap-and-trade system, the role of green technology and why he's hopeful.
April 14, 2008
Recent reports show that cleantech investments in ethanol, wind and solar are slowing down, though heavy investment this week shows the sector is still going strong.
April 14, 2008
Analysts say the news doesn't mean the shortage is over yet, but could be a sign that companies are reassessing how much capacity they need. One calls the news "a breath of fresh air" in an atmosphere where many players are double- or triple-dipping into capital markets, while others say it underscores the difficulty of making silicon.