VENTURE $$$ GO TO SUN

Solar energy startup companies raked in venture capital investments in 2008
Victor Godinez, January 26, 2009 (Dallas Morning News)

“The venture capital industry is getting a bit skittish -- investments in startup companies fell eight percent from 2007 to $28.3 billion in 2008, the National Venture Capital Association reported…

“But even with VC firms tightening their belts in the face of the recession, there is still one type of technology that is scoring big investment bucks: solar energy…"clean tech" companies received 50 percent more venture money in 2008 than they did in 2007…"

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“… the list of 10 biggest venture investments of 2008 was dominated by solar startups…it eventually means cheaper energy that's not reliant on coal or some other petroleum product…

“The 10 Largest Venture Capital Investments in the U.S. in 2008…

“Nanosolar Inc…Produces solar electricity through solar-cell technology…Solyndra Inc…Designs and manufactures photovoltaic technology for solar energy…SolarReserve Inc…Develops utility-scale renewable energy solar power plants…OptiSolar Inc…Manufactures photovoltaic modules and produces power…Range Fuels Inc…Develops cellulosic ethanol production technology…BrightSource Energy Inc…Develops utility-scale solar power plants…AVA Solar Inc…Manufactures thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules…Pocket Communications Northeast…Provides wireless communications services…Rearden Commerce…Provides on-demand assistants for business management…Pacific Biosciences of California…Develops a DNA sequencing platform.”