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Investment in Renewables $3.4 Billion in 2007

January 17, 2008 | 3 Comments

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Cambridge, Massachusetts [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Greentech Media, Inc. has released data on venture capital (VC) investment in renewable energy. The data shows that investment reached $3.4 billion in 2007. Investment in solar was more than $1.05 billion in more than 70 financing rounds. Investment in battery technology came to $433.9 Million and the energy efficiency/smart grid sector received $419.1 million in investments.

"VC investment in renewable energy in 2007 was up 50% over the previous year with more than 220 funding rounds across the entire spectrum of renewable energy. "

--Eric Wesoff, Senior Analyst, Greentech Media.

According to Greentech, venture firms also continue to invest in biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel, with more than $750 Million directed towards these new feedstocks and technologies. Notable alternative energy VC funding rounds in 2007 included HelioVolt's $101M for thin film photovoltaics, Great Point's $100M for coal gasification, Amyris' $70M for synthetic biology and biofuels, and A123's $70M for innovative battery technology.

"VC investment in renewable energy in 2007 was up 50% over the previous year with more than 220 funding rounds across the entire spectrum of renewable energy - from solar to batteries to energy efficiency," said Eric Wesoff, senior analyst at Greentech Media. "Investors are looking for 2008-2010 to be the years of renewable energy exits."

Bioenergy, Geothermal Energy, Green Power, Hydropower, Hydrogen - Fuel Cells, Ocean Energy, Other, Solar Energy, Wind Power

3 Reader Comments

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1 of 3

deep_patel

January 17, 2008

Good writeup here, I am involved in the angel investment community out here in southern california, and there is a high interest in renewables even in the angel investment community. Investors at all levels are going to be pouring money into this sector over the next few years.

-Deep Patel
www.gogreensolar.com

Comment
2 of 3

jesse-hayes-35461

January 18, 2008

Is this Venture Capital investment worldwide? Of course not.

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3 of 3

douglas-dewitz-58838

January 19, 2008

Renewables seem to be a mixed bag at this point in time. I bought a solar stock this fall which rose from $11.44 per share to $18.00 and has currently fallen back to $11.82 (1/19/08). Utah is about 48 out of 50 in renewable enrgy incentives with coops exempt from net metering incentives for the consumer. Power Engineering news letters state renewables have a bright future IF investors see a profit potential and IF renewables can be integrated into the existing transmission system. The current Energy bill slowed an all out attack on energy dependance.All of this points to a battle in the future of existing interests thawrting renewables as they did after the oil embargo of 1973. I will go ahead and install a solar heating system to pesonally avoid propane and oil. The American people can't rely on the powers to be to avoid energy wars and a dinosaur mentality concerning true savings for the energy consuming public.

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