Green Venture Capital Resulted in Significant 2008 Growth for the Sector
Green-tech venture capital funding soared last year, aided by megadeals in thin-film solar companies, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Cleantech Group . During 2008, green-tech venture investments jumped to $8.4 billion, a 38 percent increase, according to the report. Solar investments helped drive the growth, capturing 40 percent of green-tech investments. Thin-film solar deals did particularly well, capturing the three largest investments in green technology last year. NanoSolar raised $300 million last year, followed by Solyndra with venture investments of $219 million and SoloPower with $200 million . Cleantech Group's senior research director, Brian Fan, said in a statement: 2008 saw solar take a 40 percent share of clean-technology venture investment dollars, led by mega investment rounds in thin-film solar, concentrated solar thermal, and solar-service provider companies. TRENDS Investors also continued to migrate from first-generation ethanol and ...