How do you know when an industry is about to take off? Well, the first stages are seen through the eyes of those professional foreseers, distributers of wealth, and rich folks getting richer venture capitalists.
And that's what we're seeing with solar. In 2005, venture capitalists invested a bit more than $100 M in solar start-ups. Two years later...last year, that investment didn't double or triple or quadruple...in fact, it's silly to think of it as a multiple at all. As with all good booms, it's been exponential, increasing to over $1 billion.
In a ($600) report published by Greentech Media, these trends are outlined in some detail. Over 60 new companies have been invested in and the report estimates that the exponential growth will continue with $2.5 B invested in 2008. They also expect a "wave of consolidation" in which panel manufacturers will join up with materials providers and solar services (i.e., installation) companies.
You can read other key points in their executive summary (though you must hand over your e-mail address to get it).
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written by Yianni Garcia, January 31, 2008
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written by Shayne, January 31, 2008
That graph really makes the point, however. What a jump! I hope the economic slowdown we're seeing won't hamper that growth too much.
What solar needs now is not the money or ideas, but the drivers who push these confluent forces to work and work hard.
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written by Mike Carrieri, July 24, 2008
Sincerely,
Mike
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
408 476-3750
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JAN 30
"If they keep promising lower cost more efficient panels wont that stop..."
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