Tesla, the Anti-Solyndra, Just Repaid Its Government Loans Nine Years Early
Slate— May 23rd, 2013
Investment
Investment in clean and renewable energy is at record levels. The U.S. now leads global clean energy investment, clean technology is the leading venture capital category, major new clean energy investment funds have recently launched, and innovative firms are raising tens of millions in new funding. While the sector is not without the challenges facing any growing industry, there is clear and broad financial support for clean and renewable energy.
Key Stats
- $1.79 billion: Private investments made as a result of Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) through 2012. (Source: Michigan Public Service Commission, http://1.usa.gov/ZhiN8e)
- $2.2 billion: Private clean energy investments from venture capital and private equity raised in 2012 for so-called energy smart technologies including efficiency products and equipment for the electricity grid. (Source: Bloomberg, http://bloom.bg/Ztr5ds)
- $269 billion: Private investment in renewable energy in 2012 – the second highest year ever for clean tech investment. (Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance, http://bit.ly/10u5Ht8)
- $48.1 billion: Clean energy investment in the United States in 2011 – 42% increase from 2010. (Source: Pew Charitable Trusts / Bloomberg New Energy Finance, http://bit.ly/HtRYoB)
- $915 million: Minimum Google investment in clean energy projects, including rooftop solar, concentrating solar power and offshore wind. (Source: Google, http://bit.ly/KlyvfG)
- $6 billion: Amount committed to wind energy by Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. (Source: Bloomberg, http://bloom.bg/yIaBfs)
- $800 billion - $1.2 trillion: Expected global investment in solar in next decade. (Source: McKinsey & Company, http://bit.ly/InVamF)
- 5x: Amount by which global investment in clean energy increased, 2004-2011 (2011 total set an all-time record of $260 billion). (Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance, http://bit.ly/KdSo1I) See More »
Latest News
Tesla Repaying Loan for ‘Losers’ Gives Obama Green Win
Bloomberg— May 22nd, 2013
Goldman Sachs Bets Big on Solar
Motley Fool— May 20th, 2013
L.A. Utility to Seek Bids for 250 Megawatts of Solar Power
Bloomberg— May 14th, 2013
How Congress Can Expand Clean Energy Investment
Huffington Post— May 6th, 2013
Resources
Clean Energy Europe Finance Guide
— Clean Energy Pipeline, April 2013, http://bit.ly/11YqUHF
Renewable Energy: Good for Oregon
— Renewable Northwest Project, April 2013, http://bit.ly/11IQlM6
U.S. Renewable M&A Powers
— Deloitte, April 2013, http://bit.ly/ZOMrzw
Renewable Electricity Standards: State Success Stories
— Governor’s Wind Energy Coalition, March 2013, http://bit.ly/YjQKX
2013 California Green Innovation Index
— Next 10, March 2013, http://bit.ly/YTDXa4
Quotes
“The market is really vibrant, with lots of transaction potential…It is absolutely core to the success of the company.”
— Catherine B. Pessant, Global Technology and Operations Executive, Bank of America – June 2012, http://nyti.ms/MyOUI3
“We are all-in. We are going to invest what it takes … Because I know by 2020 this is going to be at least a $1 billion product line. I don’t care about Solyndra or any of that other stuff.”
— Jeff Immelt, CEO, General Electric – November 2011, http://reut.rs/sSfhk1
“It’s our hope that more and more of these deals get done.”
— Chris Yonan, project finance director at Barclays Capital – March 2012, http://bloom.bg/yIaBfs
“The progress of renewables has been nothing short of remarkable. You have record investment in the midst of an economic and financial crisis.”
— Achim Steiner, United Nations Environment Program Executive Secretary — November 2011, http://lat.ms/tm01Ty
Clean energy investing “is another emerging opportunity we think will be quite large.”
— Stuart Bernstein, head of Goldman Sachs clean technology and renewables investment banking group – May 2012, http://reut.rs/JIKpzg
