Over the last four years VC investment in solar has gone from a modest trickle to a roaring flood. In 2005 VCs invested about $200 million in solar startups. When the dust settles at the end of 2008, they will have invested about $4.5 billion in about 150 new solar startups in the four years from 2005 to 2008.

We've compiled a list of these firms with funding info and a few words on each startup's technology.

Part 1:

  • Silicon Wafer Technology (c-Si)
  • Solar Installers and Solar Financing Firms
  • Solar Balance of Plant (Inverters etc.)
  • Solar System Monitoring, Manufacturing Tools and Software

Part 2:

  • CPV

Part 3:

  • Next-gen PV

Part 4: 

  • Thin-film solar

Part 5: 

  • Solar AC and heat

Part 6:

  • Concentrating solar power (CSP)

The list includes VC-funded firms as well as other private firms looking for funding. We've divided it up by technology. If we've missed any let us know – remember this list is private companies only.

To get the lists from Part 1, visit Greentech Media's Green Light blog, and then visit Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.