posts tagged:
cleantech
Heavily backed, concentrating solar photovoltaic technology developer Amonix, which is based in Seal Beach, is set to lay off 76 workers across its offices in California, according to regulatory filings with the state. The notices--which co... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
American Solar Direct Gets $5M in Equity Investment
Santa Monica-based American Solar Direct, a provider of residential solar lease and power purchase agreements, announced this week that it has raised $5M in an equity investment. The round came from WGL Holdings, inc., along with other exis... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012
CODA Delivers Fleet Vehicle
Santa Monica-based electric auto firm CODA Automotive announced Thursday morning that it has delivered its first fleet vehicle sale, to AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power. CODA said the vehicle is part of a demonstration project, w... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Fisker Automotive Systems' Supplier Seeks Buyer
A major supplier to Irvine-based electric auto firm Fisker Automotive is looking for a buyer, after woes triggered by a recall of Fisker's automobiles in March. A123, the supplier of batteries used in Fisker's automobiles, said Tuesday that... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
eSolar In Deal With Sanmina-SCI
Burbank-based utility-scale, solar power developer eSolar is looking to electronics contract manufacturer Sanmina SCI to optimize its component design and manufacturing, the two announced Monday. According to the two, Sanmina-SCI will work ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 14, 2012
UCSB Gets $50M From Oracle Chairman For Energy Efficiency Institute
The UC Santa Barbara has received a big boost to the firm's technology programs with a $50M gift from the Chairman of Oracle and his wife, Jeff and Judy Henley. Jeff Henley, who is a UCSB graduate, is currently Chairman of the Board of Orac... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 14, 2012
Cyber Rain Gets EPA WaterSense Certification
Encino-based Cyber Rain, the developer of Internet-connected, irrigation system controllers, said Thursday that it has earned an EPA WaterSense Certification. The company said that its products--which use weather data downloaded from the In... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012
AeroVironment Names COO
Monrovia, California-based AeroVironment, the developer of unmanned aerial vehicles and electric vehicle charging systems, said late Tuesday that it has named Tom Herring as the firm's Chief Operating Officer. Herring was previously Senior ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Colorado Electric Vehicle Maker Sets Up Shop In Chatsworth
A Colorado-based developer of electric vehicles is planning to set up shop in Chatsworth, according to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Monday. Villaraigosa said that >Boulder Electric Vehicle, which makes electric delivery trucks and... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
AeroVironment Wins EV Charging Deal At Sea-Tac
Los Angeles-based Aerovironment said Monday that it has scored a win with the Port of Seattle, to install its electronic vehicle charging equipment at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The firm said the deal is worth up to $8.8M thr... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Verdezyne Raises $10.6M More
Carlsbad-based Verdezyne, which is developing biotechnology used for biofuels production and chemicals manufacturing, has raised $10.6M in a new, debt funding round, according to a filing from the firm last week. Details on the funding have... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 7, 2012
Topanga Technologies Launches Plasma Lighting Product
Canoga Park-based Topanga Technologies, the venture backed provider of solid state lighting products, said Friday that it has launched a new plasma light source product Friday. The company said the new solid state lighting product is aimed ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 7, 2012
Grid2Home Connects Into $2.0M More
San Diego-based Grid2Home, which develops smart energy management software, has raised $2.0M in an equity funding, according to a regulatory filing from the firm. Source of the new funding was not disclosed. Grid2Home develops network proto... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 30, 2012
NanoH2O Lands $60M In Funding
El Segundo-based NanoH2O the developer of high efficiency, reverse osmosis membranes for seawater desalination, announced this morning that it has raised a total of $60M in equity and debt funding. According to the firm, it raised $40M in... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 30, 2012
USC Researchers Develop Liquid Solar Cell Technology
Researchers at the University of Southern California report that they have developed new technology to create liquid, solar cells, which can be printed onto surfaces. The new technology--based on solar nanocrystals--were developed by chemis... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sapphire Energy CEO Steps Down
San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, the venture backed developer of algae-based biofuels production technology, said Friday that CEO Jason Pyle will step down as CEO. The firm said that Pyle will remain a member of the company's board of direc... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, April 20, 2012
Klout Dangles Free Volt Loan To LA Residents
In a marketing campaign to get people drivin the Chevrolet Volt, online "influencer" site Klout said yesterday that it has kicked off a campaign which will give influential social media users a free, three day loan on a Volt. According to C... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
FlexEnergy Names CEO
Irvine-based FlexEnergy, a developer of gas turbines and other energy equipment, said Friday that it has named Jay Mitchell as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mitchell was most recently the firm's President and Chief Operating Officer. Mit... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 9, 2012
CODA Automotive Selects Charging Station Installer
Los Angeles-based CODA Automotive, the manufacturer of electric cars, said this morning that it has selected a preferred, EV charging station installation partner. CODA said that electric service and repair company Mr. Electric has been sel... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 5, 2012
OneRoof Energy Pulls In $3M More
San Diego-based OneRoof Energy, a solar power company focused on residential solar leasing, said Wednesday that it has raised $3M more in financing. The funding came from Black Coral Capital. According to OneRoof, the funding will go to exp... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Report: Fisker Automotive Boosts Fundraising Plans By $200M More
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive is hoping to raise $200M more in a current funding round, according to a report today, and has now raised around $1 billion in private funding. The report game from GigaOm, which untangled the pile of regulato... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 2, 2012
Sapphire Energy Raises $144M More
In what appears to be the biggest alternative energy investment in the region so far this year, San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, a developer of biofuels technology aimed at crude oil production, said today that it has raised $144M in a Seri... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 2, 2012
Soraa Ships Outdoor LED Product
Soraa, the UC Santa Barbara spinout whic is backed by Khosla Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, and NGEN Partners, said today that it has launched its first, outdoor LED lamp product, which it says patches the performance of a 40W halogon... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 30, 2012
Fisker Automotive Upgrades Warranty Due To A123 Battery Issue
Responding to the news that high voltage battery supplier A123 Systems has found a manufacturing issue with its battery cells, Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive said today that it has enhanced its warranty and will provide complete battery re... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 26, 2012
enXco Buys Texas Wind Project
San Diego-based enXco, a developer of renewable energy projects which is backed by EDF Energies Nouvelles, said this morning that it has acquired a wind power project from Element Power US. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclo... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 26, 2012
California Uses $120M Energy Settlement For Electric Car Charging Network
The State of California announced Friday that it is using $120M, received in a legal settlement with a subsidiary of Dynegy Inc., to help build out a network of electric car charging stations across the state. According to Governor Brown's ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 23, 2012
Quantum Fuel Systems Scores $700K Order
Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, the developer of hybrid electric vehicle propulsion systems and related products, reported today that it has scored a $700,000 purchase order for one of its products. The firm said t... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Gridtest Systems Gets Seeded
Los Angeles-based Gridtest Systems, a developer of measurement tools for the electric vehicle (EV) market, said this morning that it has raised a seed round of funding from the Pasadena Angels and the Tech Coast Angels. Financial terms of t... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Aerovironment Installs EV Charging Stations In Oregon
Monrovia-based Aerovironment, which develops both electric charging stations and unmanned aerial vehicles, has scored a big win in Oregon, saying that it has installed the first phase of a project to make it possible to drive electric vehic... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 19, 2012
CODA Automotive's First Vehicle Rolls Off Production Line
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the electric vehicle startup, reported last night that its first, fully assembled CODA has rolled off the final assembly line at its Northern California factory. CODA said its first of its five passenger ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Energy Innovations' Assets On The Block
The assets of Pasadena-based Energy Innovations are set to go up for auction on March 20th, according to auctioneer Heritage Global Partners, as the firm continues to wind down. Energy Innovations reportedly has been looking for a buyer sin... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Cyber Rain Finds New CEO
Los Angeles-based Cyber Rain, the venture backed developer of smart irrigation controllers, has tapped an entrepreneur known for making waterless urinals ubiquitous in the US and around the world, as its new CEO. The firm has named James Kr... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 2, 2012
Edison Mission Energy Spins Out Wind Energy Firm
Santa Ana-based Edison Mission Energy, which is a subsidiary of utility Edison International, said Thursday that it has tied with TIAA-CREF and Cook Inlet Region Inc, to form a new company to invest in wind energy projects in North America.... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 2, 2012
Shea Ventures Backs SolarCity
Shea Ventures, the venture capital arm of Orange County homebuilder Shea Homes, has boosted its solar installation partner SolarCity, as part of an $81M equity investment in SolarCity. According to SolarCity, the big funding round was led b... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 1, 2012
California Leads In Renewable Energy Attractiveness
A new study released Tuesday from Ernst & Young finds that the State of California led the nation in terms of its attractiveness to renewable energy investments in 2011. According to the report, which ranked U.S. states for investments in w... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Fisker Automotive Names New CEO
Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive is in a management shuffle, saying today that it has named Tom LaSorda as its new CEO and Vice Chairman, with former CEO and founder Henrik Fisker becoming Executive Chairman of the company. LaSorda just join... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
OnGreen Ties With Chinese Science Park
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online marketplace for clean technology deals and companies, said this morning that it has partnered with a Chinese operator of a science and technology park. OnGreen said it has partnered with Zhongguancun Sc... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
OnGreen Ties With Chinese Science Park
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online marketplace for clean technology deals and companies, said this morning that it has partnered with a Chinese operator of a science and technology park. OnGreen said it has partnered with Zhongguancun Sc... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Ceres Rises In IPO
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, the biotechnology firm developing specialized seed stocks for the biofuels industry, rose in its IPO on Wednesday, closing at $14.80 for the day, after rising 14 percent in its first day of trading. The firm price... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Apriso Adds To Win At Tesla Motors
Long Beach-based Apriso, which develops manufacturing operations management software, reports today that electric car firm Tesla Motors has selected another one of the firm's products to help it streamline its processes. The firm said that ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Cool Planet BioFuels Claims Breakthrough
Camarillo-based Cool Planet BioFuels, the developer of technology to convert biomass to gasoline, is claiming a "major breakthrough" in its technology. The company said it has been able to produce 4,000 gallons of acre biomass-to-gasoline c... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Report: Idealab's Energy Innovations Up For Sale
Pasadena-based Energy Innovations, the Idealab startup working on concentrating photovoltaic solar systems, is looking for a buyer, according to a report Friday. GreenTechMedia, an industry publication covering the green technology and sola... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 17, 2012
FlexEnergy Names President and COO
Irvine-based FlexEnergy, a developer of gas turbine equipment from producing green energy, has named Jay Mitchell as President and Chief Operating Officer. The venture backed firm, which is backed by SAIL Capital Partners and RNS Capital Pa... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 17, 2012
Competition Dangles $200K To Students With Clean Technology Ideas
A new competition--part of the Startup America effort launched by the Obama Administration, and spearheaded locally by Caltech, USC, and UCLA--said today that it is looking to award $200,000 in prize money to university students with clean ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012
CODA Automotive Raises $21.5M, Targets $150M In New Financing
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the developer of electric vehicles and battery systems, has raised $21.5M in new, equity funding, with plans to raise a total of $150M, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week. The funding ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Borrego Solar Finds $47 Million For Solar Energy Projects
San Diego-based Borrego Solar Systems, the venture-backed installer of solar photovoltaic power systems, said today that it has closed on a new, $47M financing fund. The new fund comes from U.S> Bank and East West Bank, and will go to finan... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Ceres Delays IPO
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres has delayed its IPO, after lowering its IPO pricing estimates this week. According to industry reports, Ceres is delaying the offering until next week. Ceres had initially planned to price its IPO on Thursday.... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 10, 2012
SolarReserve Claims Major Milestone
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility-scale, solar power plants, claimed today that it has met a major construction milestone at its Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Plant. The firm said it has completed the 540-foot, solar p... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ceres Cuts IPO Pricing Range
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, the developer of seeds for producing renewable bioenergy feedstocks, has cut its estimated IPO pricing range, ahead of its anticipated IPO this week. In an updated S-1, Ceres now estimates that it will price at be... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Soraa Unveils LED Lighting Product
Soraa, the UC Santa Barbara spinout funded by Khosla Ventures, NEA, and NGEN Partners, has unveiled its first product, a new LED lighting lamp. Soraa, which was started in Goleta, said its Soraa LED MR16 lamp is intended as a replacement fo... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Fisker Automotive Chops Staff
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, the maker of electric vehicles, is cutting staff in both Delaware and California, after a setback in receiving cash from the U.S Department of Energy. According to reports, Fisker has laid off 26 employees in... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Cyber-Rain Becomes EPA WaterSense Partner
Encino-based Cyber-Rain, the venture backed developer of Internet-connected, smart irrigation controllers, reported yesterday that it has become part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program. Cyber-Rain develops an i... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Fisker Debuts In Canada
Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive, the heavily backed, electric vehicle manufacturer, said today that it has entered into the Canadian market. The firm said the firm's EV is now available in Canada, via a partnership with a number of retailer... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Ceres Expected To Hit Market Feb 9th
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, which develops specialized seeds for the biofuels industry, is planning to hit the market on February 9th, according to the NASDAQ IPO calendar. Ceres recently estimated its IPO pricing at between $21.00 and $23.0... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 30, 2012
SAIL Venture Partners Extends To Canada
Costa Mesa-based SAIL Capital Partners, the clean technology investor, said today that it has created a joint venture in Canada, to invest in early stage cleantech companies. SAIL said that the move comes as part of a joint venture with a C... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 30, 2012
CODA Takes On Energy Storage
Los Angeles-based electric vehicle developer CODA Holdings is branching out from the electric vehicle business, saying Friday that it has created CODA Energy, a new business arm taking its advanced battery systems and applying it to energy ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 23, 2012
Fisker Auto Sees Another Recall
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive looks to be working out more bugs in its newly introduced Karma electric car, as another recall came to light Thursday. According to site Hybridcars.com, the recall apparently fixes issues with random check-en... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Local Utilities Back Green Button Effort
A number of local utilities are backing an effort announced Wednesday by U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, to help standardize and make household energy use information available to consumers. According to the White House, Pacifi... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
SG Biofuels Raises $17M
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, a developer of hybrid seeds of Jatropha for the biofuels and specialty chemicals business, said that it has raised $17M in a Series B funding. The funding was led by Thomas, McNerney & Partners, and also include... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Verdezyne Gains Patent
Carlsbad-based Verdezyne, the venture backed developer of biofuels technology, said today that it has been granted a United States Patent. The firm said the patent, No. 8,093,037, covers its engineered microorganisms used to enable yest to ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Contour Energy Scores Funding From In-Q-Tel
Azusa-based Contour Energy Systems, which is developing next generation battery systems, is announcing today that it has scored a strategic investment from In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies. Amount... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Fisker Karma Drives Onto Harrod's Display
Looking to catch the eye of luxury goods shoppers, Fisker Automotive, the electric auto maker based in Irvine, said today that its Karma sedan will be displayed at Harrods in Knightsbridge, London, for the department store's Winter Sale. Fi... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Cool Planet BioFuels Starts Road Testing
Camarillo-based Cool Planet Biofuels, the cellulosic biofuels developer backed by BP, Shea Ventures, General Electric, Google Ventures, ConocoPhillips, NRG and North Bridge Venture Partners, announced today that it has received approval fro... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Fisker Automotive Quietly Adds $110M in Funding
Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive has just added another, $110M in its Series D-1 financing, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week, taking its total raised to somewhere North of $876M. The electric auto company has not detail... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
SolarReserve Names Operations VP
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility-scale solar power projects, said Tuesday that it has named Stephen Mullennix as Senior Vice President of Operations. Mullennix was most recently a managing director at US Renewables ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Fisker Recalls, Fixes Karmas
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, the electric vehicle manufacturer in the midst of rolling out its first vehicle, the Fisker Karma, recalled, but has mostly fixed, an issue with its battery systems. According to a document from the National ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
CODA Automotive Lands San Diego Dealer
Los Angeles-based CODA Automotive, the electric vehicle developer, said today that it has named Marvin K. Brown as an exclusive dealer partner in San Diego County. CODA said that Marvin K. Brown is its first anticipated dealer partner, whic... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Clean Energy Fuels Gets $150M in PIPE
Seal Beach-based Clean Energy Fuels, an operator of natural gas fueling stations, said this morning that it has received more than $150M from investors. The firm said the funds came from Boone Pickens, as well as RJ Capital, Seatown Holding... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, December 29, 2011
NexSteppe Raises $14M For Biofuels Tech
Malibu-based NexSteppe, a firm developing renewable feedstocks for the biofuel industry, announced today that it has raised $14M in a Series B round of funding. The funding was led by Braemer Energy Ventures, along with CYM Ventures and Zyg... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
NanoH2O Raises $14.8M
El Segundo-based NanoH2O, the UCLA spinout which is developing reverse osmosis membranes for water desalination, has raised $14.87M as part of an ongoing, $30.6M fundraising effort, according to a regulatory filing from the firm. No details... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, December 15, 2011
Outcast Links With ECOtality On Advertising Network
Santa Monica-based out of home advertising network operator Outcast and electric vehicle charging station company ECOtality said this morning that the two have teamed to launch a digital ad network tied to ECOtality's EV charging stations. ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Aerovironment Names VP
Monrovia-based Aerovironment, which develops both unmanned aircraft and electric vehicle charging technology, said Wednesday afternoon that it has named Wahid Nawabi as Senior Vice President and General Manager of its Efficient Energy Syste... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Aptera Shuts Down
Carlsbad-based Aptera, the developer of a three wheeled, electric vehicle, has shut down. According to multiple sources, the firm is dissolving the company, after failing to find federal matching funds for its efforts. Aptera had been atte... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, December 2, 2011
Verdezyne Opens Pilot Plant
Carlsbad-based Verdezyne, a developer of biotechnology used to produce renewable chemicals and fuels, announced today that it has opened its first pilot plant. The company said the plant will produce adipic acid, a key component of nylon. T... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Fallbrook Technologies Expands Efforts In Asia
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the developer of continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmissions aimed at the bicycle and electric vehicle market, reported today that it has expanded in Asia. the firms said it has tied with Perf... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 28, 2011
Fisker Auto: Karma Getting 112MPG In Tests
Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive reported this week that it has completed extended range testing and certification, finding that the firm's Karma is achieving 112 mpg combined fuel economy. Fisker said the independent testing was by Technisc... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, November 18, 2011
CODA Automotive Taps GE Energy For Chargers
Los Angeles-based CODA Automotive, the developer of electric vehicles, and GE Energy Industrial Solutions said this morning that CODA will be using GE's EV chargers. The two said that CODA will sell and distribute GE's WattStation wall moun... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Coda Automotive Drops Sedan Pricing
Los Angeles-based CODA Automotive, the electric car startup developing sedans, has dropped the price on its Coda sedan to $39,900. The price drop is $5,000 below the firm's earlier announced pricing of $44,900 for the auto. Coda--which rais... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Amonix Gets LEED Certs
Seal Beach-based Amonix, the venture-backed developer of concentrated photovoltaic solar systems for the utility market, said today that it has scored LEED Gold certification on two of its facilities. The certification included their headqu... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Abgengoa Ramps Solar Project Construction in Mojave
Spanish solar power developer Abengoa announced this morning that it has begun ramping up construction of its 280 megawatt concentrating solar power project, the CSP Mojave Solar Project in San Bernardino County. The company said it expects... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
CODA Holdings Opens New HQ
Los Angeles-based CODA Holdings, the developer of electric vehicles and electric vehicle battery technology, formally opened up a new headquarters Thursday on Fairfax Avenue. CODA held a grand opening of its 100,000 square foot headquarters... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, November 11, 2011
Qualcomm Buys Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Company
San Diego-based Qualcomm announced this morning that it has acquired substantially all of the technology and assets of HaloIPT, a European firm developing wireless charging technology for electric vehicles. Financial details of the acquisit... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Cyber-Rain Extends Smart Irrigation Controllers
Encino-based Cyber-Rain, the developer of Internet-connected, smart irrigation controllers, said over the weekend that it has extended its control systems with new features. The firm said its controllers--which automatically adjust watering... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 7, 2011
Study: Clean Technology Investments Up In Q3
Investments in U.S., clean technology deals were up in Q3 of 2011, according to a new analysis published by Ernst & Young this week. According to an analysis of data from Dow Jones VentureSource, Ernst & Young found that U.S. venture capita... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 3, 2011
BYD Opens HQ In Los Angeles
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD said Monday that it has opened up its headquarters in Los Angeles, which will serve as its North American Headquarters. The firm, which is backed by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, said that it... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 24, 2011
San Diego Firm To Auction Off Solyndra Assets
A San Diego-based auction firm, Heritage Global Partners, said today that it will be selling off the surplus assets of bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra. Heritage Global Partners said it will sell of Solyndra's assets at an auction... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
BrightSource Energy Targets New Solar Power Effort In Riverside
Solar thermal power developer BrightSource Energy said Friday that it has applied for certification of a new project in Riverside County with the California Energy Commission, to develop three 250 megawatt solar thermal power plants on land... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 14, 2011
LA To Launch Cleantech Incubator
The City of Los Angeles said this morning that it will be officially launching its Cleantech Incubator tomorrow, as it attempts to create a cluster of clean technology companies downtown. According to Mayor Villaraigosa, the effort is to he... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 10, 2011
Greener Capital Gets First Close On New Fund
Greener Capital, a venture capital fund focused on clean technology which has offices in Laguna Beach, said today that it has scored a first close on its second fund, Greener Capital Partners II. The fund size is $33M. The firm is headed by... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Contour Energy Closes $20M In Series C
Azusa-based Contour Energy Systems, the developer of battery technology based on research from Caltech, announced this morning that it has raised $20M in a Series C funding round. The company said it added new investor SBI Jeffries Asia Fun... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Fulcrum BioEnergy, Backed By USRG and Rustic Canyon, Files For IPO
Fulcrum BioEnergy, a Pleasanton, California-based producer of biofuels from municipal solid waste, filed for an IPO Thursday. Fulcrum's primary backers are two, Southern California venture capital firms, U.S. Renewables Group, and Rustic Ca... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 22, 2011
CODA Holdings Closes $147M Funding
Los Angeles-based CODA Holdings, the developer of electric vehicles and battery systems, said late Monday evening that it has completed a $147M, Series D funding round. The firm said the new funding brings its total raised to more than $300... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
DOE Approves $1.2 Billion Loan For Mojave Solar Power Plant
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved another loan guarantee, this one worth $1.2 billion, for a Southern California solar power project, the department said Tuesday. According to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the Energy Department... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Fisker Auto Unveils New Vehicle, The Surf
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive the hybrid auto firm headed by Henrik Fisker, unveiled its newest model today at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Fisker said the new vehicle is an electric vehicle (EV) with and extended range. Fisker said the new ve... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2011
CODA Opens 'Experience Center' in LA
Los Angeles-based CODA Holdings, the developer of electric vehicles, said Thursday that it has opened up a new "Experience Center" at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. CODA said the new consumer store includes an "Electric Vehicle... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, September 9, 2011
US Renewables Group Invests $344M In Residential Solar
Los Angeles-based US Renewables Group, the private equity firm focused on renewable energy, said Wednesday that it is investing $344M in what it says is the largest residential solar project in U.S. history. The firm said it is financing a ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
SolarWorld Chops Camarillo Jobs
SolarWorld AG, a German solar panel manufacturer which operates a production facility in Camarillo, California, said today that it is shutting down its manufacturing operations in Camarillo, and moving them to Hillsboro, Oregon. According t... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, September 2, 2011
Fisker Automotive Taps BMW For Engines
Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive, the electric vehicle maker, said this morning that it has signed an agreement with BMW, where BMW will supply engines and other components for its future models. Fisker said that BMW will provide a four-cyli... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Genomatica Files For IPO
San Diego-based Genomatica, a developer of renewable chemicals technology, has filed for an IPO, saying today that it is looking to raise up to $100M in an IPO on the Nasdaq Global Market. Genomatica said it has applied to list under the sy... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Southern California Gas Invests In Fuel Cell Energy Firm
Southern California Gas Company the unit of Sempra Energy which supplies natural gas to Southern California, has backed the manufacturer of natural gas, fuel cell equipment. According to ClearEdge Power, it has raised $73.5M in a Series E f... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
CODA Inks Deal With Chinese Auto Firm
Los Angeles-based CODA Holdings, the parent firm of CODA Automotive, said late last night that it has inked a deal with Chinese auto firm Great Wall Motor Company Limited. According to CODA, it is in a Letter of Intent to develop electric v... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
SG Biofuels Wins Indian Petroleum Firm
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, the biofuels firm backed by Life Technologies, has inked a deal with a petroleum country in India. According to Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd., a joint venture of Bharat Petroleum, it has initiated a program with ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Fallbrook Targets Bicycle Market
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the developer of transmission technology, said today that it has launched a new product aimed at bicycles. The firm--which is better known for applying its technology to the electric car market--said ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
AC Propulsion Names CFO
San Dimas-based AC Propulsion, which develops electric drives for the electric vehicle industry, said Monday that it has named Susan Hoyle as its Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Hoyle was most recently the firm's interim CFO. Ho... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
eSolar Gets $40M From GE
Burbank-based eSolar, the developer of concentrating solar thermal power technology, said today that it has inked a strategic investment from GE Energy, worth up to $40M. According to eSolar, the deal came along with a licensing agreement w... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 8, 2011
SolarReserve In Jobs Agreement With Nevada County
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility scale solar power projects, said Wednesday that it has amended an agreement with Nevada's Nye County and its Tonopah Solar Energy affiliate, to require 90 percent of the construction... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, August 4, 2011
Craton Equity Leads Major Investment In Bridgelux
Los Angeles-based private equity fund Craton Equity Partners said Wednesday that it has led a $60M round of investment in Bridgelux, a developer and manufacturer of LED lighting technology. Bridgelux, which is based in Livermore, California... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Fallbrook Technologies Taps Ford Exec For President
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies has tapped a Ford Motor Company veteran for its President, the company announced this morning. Fallbrook, which makes transmission technology used in electric vehicles, said it ha appointed Al Kammerer... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 1, 2011
X Prize Oil Challenge Advances
The X Prize Foundation said Thursday that its $1.4 million, Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge is advancing, with competitors in the prize entering the testing phase. The group said that the competition--which is looking for new ways to ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 29, 2011
Fisker Automotive Delivers First Production Vehicle
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive said this week that it has delivered one of the first, initial batch of production cars from the electric car startup, to venture capitalist Ray Lane. Lane, Managing Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Bye... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Fallbrook Expands Joint Venture
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the designer of transmissions used in electric vehicles, said today along with EV manufacturers Tomberlin Group and TEAM Industries, that they are expanding their joint venture activities. The firms s... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, July 25, 2011
Wildcat Discovery Technologies Raises $6.85M
San Diego-based Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a firm developing advanced materials for the clean technology industry, has raised $6.85M out of an ongoing $7.5M funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week. The fir... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 22, 2011
Elevance Renewable Sciences Raises $50M More
Elevance Renewable Sciences, the spinout of Pasadena-based Materia, has scored $50M more in a funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week. Elevance Renewable Sciences is developing processes to take plant-based oil... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 22, 2011
LA Leads In Green Jobs, Says Group
A study released this morning by the Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs Network says that Los Angeles leads the nation in green jobs. According to the CCEJ, Los Angeles had 178,500 green jobs, out of roughly 4.5 million workers in the L... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 22, 2011
Idealab Backs Clean Power Technology Firm
Pasadena-based Idealab announced today that it has invested in a developer of clean energy generation technology. The firm has invested in Cool Energy, a Boulder, Colorado based developer of Stirling engine technology, used to convert heat ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011
Angeleno Group Backs Glass Recycling Tech Firm
Los Angeles-based Angeleno Group has re-upped its investment in a developer of glass recycling technology, eCullet, as part of a $38M funding round. eCullet announced its new funding round Tuesday, which included both Angeleno Group and DB ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Clean Diesel Technologies Wins Fisker Automotive
Ventura-based Clean Diesel Technologies, a provider of automotive catalysts for reducing emissions, says this morning that it has been chosen as the catalyst supplier for Fisker Automotive. Clean Diesel Technologies said it will be supplyin... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Aptera Finds $2.2M
Carlsbad-based Aptera Motors, the beleagured developer of a three wheeled, electric vehicle, has raised $2.2M in what appears to be a convertible debt round. The funding came to light via a regulatory filing earlier this month. The filing i... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 14, 2011
SoCalGas Invests In Company
Southern California Gas Co., the subsidiary of Sempra Energy which provides natural gas to the Southern California market, said today that it has invested in Tecogen, a developer of natural gas heating and power products. Size of the inve... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 14, 2011
AeroVironment Selected By Washington State
Monrovia-based AeroVironment said this week that it has been selected by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), to install nine fast charging stations on Interstate 5 and US 2. AeroVironment said it was selected from amo... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 14, 2011
Southern California Leads In Green Jobs, Says Report
A report released today from the Brookings Institution counts the region as among the job leaders in clean economy jobs. According to the latest Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment report, the Los Angeles... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011
AeroVironment Gets Another UL Cert
Monrovia-based AeroVironment has hit another milestone in its efforts to deliver electric vehicle charging systems, saying that one of its fast charging systems have just received UL certification. The firm said its certification and listin... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, July 11, 2011
US Renewables Backs Biofuels Firm
Los Angeles-based private equity investor US Renewables Group is the lead investor in a biofuels and renewable chemicals firm. According to Colorado-based OPX Biotechnologies, US Renewables led a $36.5M, Series C first close in the company,... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 7, 2011
EdeniQ Links With German Firm
Visalia-based EdeniQ, a developer of biofuels technology and a spinout of Los Angeles-based Altra Biofuels, said Wednesday that it has linked with German firm IKA Works on supplying biomass mixing and milling technology for the biofuels and... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Contour Energy Targeting $20M In Series C
Asuza-based Contour Energy Systems, which develops advanced battery technology looks to be targeting $20M for its Series C round, with at least $9.0M raised so far, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week. Contour said last w... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, June 30, 2011
DOE Offers $4.5 Billion In Loans To Boost California Solar Power
In another boost for the solar power boom in Southern California, the U.S. Department of Energy said Thursday that it is offering up nearly $4.5 billion in loans, for three, California photovoltaic solar power plant projects. The loans, ann... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Maxwell Technologies Gets $500,000 For Energy Storage Technology
San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies, which is developing ultracapacitor-based energy storage products, reported today that it is slated to receive more than $500,000 in state and federal funding for its technology. The firm said $300,000 o... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
SolarReserve Wins Project in Spain
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of solar thermal power plants, has been selected in a deal in Spain. According to the firm, Termosolar Alcazar, a 50/50 joint venture between the company and Spanish renewable energy firm Prene... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
VIZIO Enters LED Lighting Market
Irvine-based VIZIO, the maker of LCD HDTVs, is again expanding into a new market, saying today that it has launched into the LED Lighting market. The firm said it will be rolling out a collection of LED lighting products in Q4, offering up ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 24, 2011
Transphorm Gets $25M From Soros
Santa Barbara-based Transphorm, a developer of high efficiency, power conversion technology, confirmed today that it has raised $25M in a Series D funding round. The firm said the round was led by Quantum Strategic Partners Ltd., a private ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Google, Citi Each Put Another $102M In Southern California Wind Farm
Google and Citi are each putting another, $102M in financing into the Tehachapi Alta Wind Energy Center (AWEC) project, the companies said Wednesday. According to the firms, they will each invest $102M into the 168 MW Alta V project, part o... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
EV Connect Selected By Fisker Automotive
Culver City-based EV Connect, a provider of electric vehicle infrastructure, said today that it has inked an exclusive services agreement with Irvine-based Fisker Automotive. According to EV Connect, it will install and service electric veh... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
OnGreen Names CTO
Pasadena-based OnGreen, the clean technology, funding marketplace headed by Nikhil Jain, said this week that it has named Mark Richards as its Chief Technology Officer. Richards was most recently Vice President of Technical Operations at Fo... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Contour Energy Systems Finds More Funding
Azusa-based Contour Energy Systems, the developer of battery technology based on research from Caltech, said today that it has raised a Series C funding round. The firm said the new funding came from Singapore investment fund EDBI, CMEA Cap... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Borrego Solar Ups PPA Fund To $100M
El Cajon-based Borrego Solar Systems, the solar power installer, developer and financing firm, said today that it has raised the amount of project financing available from the firm to more than $100M. The firm said it closed its latest fund... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tranphorm Raises $25M
Goleta-based Transphorm, the developer of high efficiency power conversion devices for the grid and power conversion market, has just raised $25M as part of an ongoing, $30M fundraising effort, according to a regulatory filing by the firm t... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 17, 2011
SYSPRO Wins ZPower
Costa Mesa-based SYSPRO, the developer of enterprise resource planning software, reported today that Camarillo-based ZPower, the developer of rechargeable, silver-zinc battery technology, has selected its ERP software for its operations. Fi... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 17, 2011
Achates Power Adds CTO
San Diego-based Achates Power, the developer of improved internal combustion engine technology, said today that it has named John Koszewnik as Chief Technical Officer. Koszewnik was previously at FEV, and also served at Ford Motor for rough... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, June 16, 2011
OnGreen Partners With Chinese Province
Pasadena-based OnGreen, the clean technology marketplace firm run by Nikhil Jain, has inked a partnership with a Chinese province for an investor roadshow. The firm said that the Jiangsu Department of Commerce is promoting and w8ill be brin... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Genomatica Claims Milestone
San Diego-based Genomatica, the venture-backed developer of sustainable chemical technology, said this morning that it has achieved demonstration-scale fermentation using its process, on schedule. The firm--which is developing a renewable p... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Southern California Edison: Re-engineering Grid For Solar
Southern California Edison said today that it's in the middle of a major "re-engineering" of its power distribution network, due to the increase in solar power generation in its market. According to the power utility, it has been reworking ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, June 13, 2011
eSolar Gets Investment From GE Energy
Pasadena-based eSolar, the developer of solar thermal power generation plants backed by Idealab, has scored a strategic investment from GE Energy, GE said Monday. Size of the new investment was not disclosed. According to GE, the deal also ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, June 6, 2011
Quantum Fuel Systems Signs Dow Chemical
Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies reports today that it has scored a contract with Dow Chemical Company, to deliver hybrid drive systems to Dow's fleet. the firm said the contract covers delivery of 100+ plug-in-hybrid electric... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Google Invests In Tehachapi Wind Project
Search engine giant Google is making more investments in Southern California energy, saying this morning that it has made a $55M investment to finance a wind project supplying power to Southern California Edison. Google said the investment ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Ceres Files For IPO
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, the developer of seeds aimed at producing renewable, biomass feedstocks for the biofuels industry, has filed for an IPO. According to a filing this morning by the firm, the company is aiming to raise up to $100M i... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 23, 2011
X Prize Foundation Names Finalists In Oil Cleanup Challenge
The X PRIZE Foundation has named ten finalists in its oil cleanup competition, the Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge, the group said this morning. The prize--which is offering $1.4 million to develop better ways to clean up oil spills--... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 23, 2011
SolarReserve Scores $737M Loan Guarantee For Solar Power Project
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the solar power projects developer developing solar thermal, utility-scale power plants, has scored a massive, $737M loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy. According to the U.S. Energy Secretary ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, May 20, 2011
Topanga Technologies Names Engineering VP
Los Angeles-based Topanga Technologies, the developer of solid state, plasma lighting products, said Wednesday that it has added Gregg Hollingsworth as its Vice President of Engineering. Hollingsworth was previously VP of Product Developmen... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 19, 2011
Aptera Considering Production Move Out Of State
Oceanside-based Aptera, the developer of a three-wheeled electric vehicles, told its supporters this morning that it is considering a move of its production operations out of California, in order to gain access to "multi-million-dollar" inc... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
AeroVironment Wins BMW For EV Charging Stations
Monrovia-based Aerovironment has scored another electric vehicle charging win, saying today that it has been selected by the BMW Group to provide electric vehicle charging equipment and installation for the new BMW ActiveE as a preferred pr... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
RayTracker Acquisition Worth $44.8M, Says Report
A report today from Greentech Media says that Pasadena-based Idealab's sale of portfolio firm RayTracker was worth $44.8M. Idealab, Quercus Trust, and Phoenix Fire had invested $3.5M in funding in RayTracker a developer of solar tracking te... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
PowerGenix Launches New Product
San Diego-based PowerGenix, the developer of rechargeable Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries, said today that it has launched a new product aimed at the micro-hybrid market. The firm said it has started production of a prototype product, in quali... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Aerovironment Wins TXU Energy In EV Charging Deal
Monrovia-based Aerovironment has scored a win in Texas, with TXU Energy, to deploy a network of electric vehicle chargers. According to AeroVironment, TXU Energy has selected the firm to deploy EV charging stations in the Dallas Metro-plex ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 16, 2011
Cyber-Rain Launching New Product
Encino-based Cyber-Rain, the venture backed developer of smart irrigation controllers, is launching a new product this week for remote management of those controllers. The new product, the XCI Cloud, is geared at owners and managers of resi... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 16, 2011
SG Biofuels Gains Customers
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, the developer of specialized seed crops for biofuels, said today that it has inked a number of customers for its hybrid Jatropha seed. The firm said it has deals to deploy 250,000 acres ofits crop, which is desi... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 16, 2011
Fisker Automotive Raises Another $100M
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, the developer of electric and hybrid cars, has raised another $100M in funding, according to a regulatory filing by the firm Friday. Source of the new funding was not disclosed. The funding was part of the f... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, May 13, 2011
Topanga Technologies Plans Product Launch
Los Angeles-based Topanga Technologies, the stealthy, Khosla Ventures-backed plasma lighting startup, said today that it plans to launch its products next week at an upcoming trade show. Topanga Technologies--which says it is developing sol... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 12, 2011
Proximetry Hires Strategy Chief
San Diego-based Proximetry, the developer of wireless network and performance management software for the smart energy market, said Wednesday that it has named Andres Carvallo as its EVP and Chief Strategy Officer. Carvallo was most recentl... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sapphire Energy Links With Engineering Firm
San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, which is developing algae-based crude oil production processes, has inked a deal with gas and engineering firm The Linde Group, the companies said this morning. They two said they are in a multi-year agreeme... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Topanga Technologies Raises $15M
Canoga Park-based Topanga Technologies, a developer of high efficiency, plasma lighting, has scored $15M in new funding, according to regulatory filings from the firm. Details on the funding have not been announced by the company. Topanga T... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
PowerGenix Passes Safety Testing
San Diego-based PowerGenix, the venture-backed develops of rechargeable Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries, said today that its battery cells have met safety standards from the Department of Energy FreedomCar and Society for Automotive Engineers ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Contour Energy Names Advisory Board
Azusa-based Contour Energy, the advanced battery company backed by CMEA Capital, Harris and Harris, Schlumberger and US Venture Partners, said today that it has formed a new Scientific Advisory Board. The firm said it has added Dr. Robert G... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
OSI Systems Gets $6M Order
Hawthorne-based OSI Systems, a provider of electronics products for the security and healthcare industry, said today that it has received a $6M order for optoelectronic sub-assemblies. The firm said the order came from a renewable energy eq... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Fallbrook Technologies Pulls IPO
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the developer of electrical transmission technology for the automotive industry, has pulled its IPO, according to a filing from the firm. Fallbrook said in the filing that it has decided to pull its i... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 2, 2011
Study Casts Doubt On Green Vehicle Demand
Despite a huge amount of funding given to electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers by venture capitalists, a new study from Westlake Village-based J.D. Power and Associates finds that the outlook for "green" vehicles will remained "limited... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Fallbrook Technologies Bolsters Advisors
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies said today that it has added two former auto executives to its transportation advisory board. Fallbrook said it has added Neil Ressler, former former Vice President for Research and Vehicle Technology ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 25, 2011
Interview with Ray Hoogenrad, Bremach
Southern California has a long history and relationship with the automobile industry, and has been seeing a resurgence in interest with the rise of electric cars. Among the high visibility companies here are such companies as Coda Automotiv... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 21, 2011
Broadcom Joins Green Network Effort
Irvine-based Broadcom said today that it has joined an effort to create more energy efficient networks. Broadcom said it has joined GreenTouch, a global industry consortium focused on improving the energy efficiency of Information and Commu... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 21, 2011
Cyber-Rain Names Chief Revenue Officer
Encino-based Cyber-Rain, the venture backed maker of a smart, Internet-connected sprinkler control system, has named Ben Jamison as its Chief Revenue Officer. The firm, which is backed by DeWaay Investment Partners, Athenian Venture Partner... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
DOE Provides $2.1 Billion For Southern California Solar Plant
The Department of Energy said Monday that it is providing a $2.1 billion loan guarantee, for a solar thermal power plant located in Riverside County. The DOE said the guarantee, for Units 1 and 2 of the Blythe Solar Power Project, will go t... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 18, 2011
ZPower Raises $64M
Camarillo-based ZPower, a developer of battery technology, appears to have raised $64M, according to a regulatory filing released by the firm Friday. In a filing, the firm said it issued $64M in equity as part of a merger, acquisition or ex... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, April 15, 2011
Clean Diesel Technologies Raises $3M
Ventura-based Clean Diesel Technologies, a developer of emissions control systems for the heavy duty diesel and light duty vehicle markets, said today that it has raised $3M in a convertible note financing. The publicly held firm did not di... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
OnGreen Plans Chinese Investment Roadshow
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online marketplace for clean technology deals, said Monday that it is planning to give away trips for five CEOs to a Chinese investment roadshow it is running in June. The firm said the trips are part of a pla... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 11, 2011
Google Invests $168M In Mojave Power Plant
Search engine giant Google announced Monday afternoon that it is investing $168M in a plant in Mojave. According to the firm, the investment will go towards a solar energy power plant, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) be... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 11, 2011
SAIL Launches Louisiana Cleantech Fund
Irvine-based venture capital firm SAIL Capital Partners said this week that it has launched a new, venture capital fund focused on investing in clean technology in Louisiana. The firm said the new fund -- The Louisiana Sustainability Fund (... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, April 8, 2011
SolarReserve Raises $20M More
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility scale, solar thermal power plants, has raised $20M in a Series C funding round. The funding was disclosed via a regulatory filing Thursday. Source of the new funding was not disclose... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 7, 2011
Interview with Todd Jerry, Marmol Radziner
Many local entrepreneurs might know Todd Jerry, formerly a venture capitalist at Anthem Venture Partners. Todd is now Chief Operating Officer of Marmol Radziner (www.marmol-radziner.com), an architecture and construction company, which rece... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 7, 2011
Soraa Scaling Up For Volume Production
Goleta-based Soraa, the Khosla Ventures-backed developer of LED and laser-based lighting and projection display technology, appears to be heading for volume production on its products. The semiconductor technology startup was spun out of re... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Contour Energy Expands Battery Line
Azusa-based Contour Energy Systems, the venture-backed battery developer spun out of research from Caltech, said today that it has added two new lithium batteries to its line of coin cells. The firm said the new 2016 and 2450 lithium coin c... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Fisker Starts Production In Finland
A report today says that Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, the developer of electric vehicles, has started limited production of its Karma plug-in hybrid in Finland. According to the report, the first cars are expected to be used as demonstra... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 25, 2011
OnGreen Exits Beta, Launches Cleantech Marketplace
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online marketplace for green deals and clean technology business opportunities, said today that it has officially launched its site out of beta. The firm, which is headed by Nikhil R. Jain, offers up a way for... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2011
AeroVironment Gets EV Win In Hawaii
Monrovia-based AeroVironment has scored an electrical vehicle win in the State of Hawaii, according to an announcement from Hawaii Lt. Governor Brian Schatz. According to the announcement, the State has selected the company to deploy up to ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 18, 2011
CoolPlanetBiofuels Gets Google Backing
Camarillo-based CoolPlanetBiofuels, which develops technology to convert biomass to biofuels, has scored backing from Google, the firm said Thursday. According to CoolPlanetBiofuels, Google Ventures has joined its Series B funding round. Fi... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 17, 2011
CoolPlanetBiofuels Gets Google Backing
Camarillo-based CoolPlanetBiofuels, which develops technology to convert biomass to biofuels, has scored backing from Google, the firm said Thursday. According to CoolPlanetBiofuels, Google Ventures has joined its Series B funding round. Fi... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Fallbrook In Chinese Joint Venture
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the developer of electric vehicle and other transmission technology, announced today that it has inked a joint venture agreement with Chinese firm Ningbo Shentong Group. Fallbrook said the two are in ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 14, 2011
SG Biofuels Claims Advance
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, the firm using biotechnology and other techniques to develop hybrid seeds of Jatropha for the biofuels industry, claimed today that it has reached a "significant milestone" in its efforts. The firm, which is bac... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 14, 2011
AeroVironment Q3 Revenues Up
Monrovia-based AeroVironment, the maker of unmanned aerial vehicles and electric vehicle chargers, reported its quarterly results this week, saying that its year-over-year revenues increased 39 percent for its third quarter. The publicly h... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 10, 2011
Alta Devices, With Links to Caltech, Gains $72M
A new startup with links to Caltech has just raised $72M in funding. According to Santa Clara-based Alta Devices, it is developing technology to improve the production economics of high efficiency solar photovoltaics (PV). The firm scored t... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sapphire Energy Scores Backing From Monsanto
San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, a developer of algae-based biofuels technology, has scored an investment and deal with agricultural chemicals firm Monsanto, the two said this morning. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 8, 2011
SG Biofuels Expands Into India
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, the developer of biofuels crop seed based on Jatropha, announced this morning that it has expanded its operations into India. SG Biofuels said that it will be developing multiple center to test and adapt hybrid ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 7, 2011
Two Local Firms Make WSJ Clean Technology List
The Wall Street Journal, at a conference in Santa Barbara this week, named its list of "Top 10" clean technology firms, naming two local companies to the list of firms with the "greatest potential to succeed." According to the WSJ, Burbank-... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 3, 2011
Maxwell Technologies Scores $7.01M Battery Contract
San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies reports this morning that it has received a $7.01M contract from the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), to develop advanced energy storage systems for power assist hybrid electric vehicles. USABC ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 3, 2011
Energy Cache Eyes Smart Grid, With Backing Of Idealab
Los Angeles-based Energy Cache, a new startup backed by Idealab, is eyeing the energy storage and smart grid market with its technology. The firm, which is headed by Aaron Fyke, recently scored one of the top prizes at the recent Tech Coast... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Genomatica Raises $45M
San Diego-based Genomatica, a developer of sustainable chemical technology, announced today that it has raised another $45M in funding. The firm said the funding was led by VantagePoint Venture Partners; Bright Capital, a Russian venture in... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Transphorm Gets $20M For Energy Technology
Goleta-based Transphorm, a developer of energy efficiency and power conversion technology, emerged from stealth today, saying it has just closed a $20M, Series C funding led by Google Ventures. The firm, which is headed by Umesh Mishra, sai... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
CoolPlanetBiofuels Ups Latest Funding To $17.7M
Camarillo-based CoolPlanetBiofuels, the developer of biofuels technology run by Mike Cheiky, has upped the funding in it latest round to $17.7M, according to a regulatory filing by the firm. It appears the additional capital--around $10.0M-... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
ECOtality Starts Installing EV Chargers In LA, San Diego
ECOtality, a firm which is installing electric vehicle chargers nationwide as part of The EV Project, said Tuesday that it has started installing electric vehicle chargers in Los Angeles and San Diego. The firm said it is installing its Bli... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Fisker Automotive Raises $150M More
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, the manufacturer and designer of electric vehicles, has raised another $150M, according to a regulatory filing from the firm last week. Details on the funding haven't been announced, but reports say that the ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
OnGreen Links With USC Stevens Institute
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the operator of an online marketplace for green technology and clean technology businesses and projects, said Thursday that it is in a marketing partnership with the University of Southern California's Stevens Ins... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011
Aerovironment Ships Home Charging Systems
Monrovia-based Aerovironment reports today that it has started shipping and installing its first residential smart charging systems for electric cars. The firm said it has began installing UL-listed chargers for both single family and multi... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 14, 2011
Gevo Raises $107M In IPO
Gevo, the biofuels technology startup spawned out of technology at Caltech and UCLA, has raised $107M in an IPO this morning. The firm, which is now based in Colorado, debuted on the Nasdaq Global Market Wednesday morning as GEVO, debuting ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Genomatica, Waste Management In Research Deal
San Diego-based Genomatica, a developer of renewable chemical production technology and processes, has inked a strategic joint development agreement with Waste Management, the firms announced this morning. According to the two, they will ad... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
eSolar Ties With Flextronics
Burbank-based eSolar, the developer of solar thermal power plant technology, said Monday that it has selected Flextronics to provide design services for its heliostats and solar collector systems. Financial details of the deal were not disc... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 7, 2011
SolarReserve Gets Arizona Project Approval
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility scale solar power projects, said today that it has received permit approvals from the Arizona Corporation Commission, for the firm's 150 megawatt Crossroads Solar Energy Project. The... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 7, 2011
Power-One Revenues Surge On Solar Inverter Demand
Camarillo-based Power-One, which develops both photovoltaic inverters and other poser conversion products, saw its fourth quarter results surge on demand for its photovoltaic inverter products. According to the firm Thursday, it saw net sal... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 4, 2011
Aptera: Still Waiting On Capital From DOE
Vista-based Aptera Motors, the three wheeled electric vehicle firm backed by Idealab and Google, told its supporters today that it is still looking to score funding from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 4, 2011
AeroVironment Gets Electric Vehicle Charging Win
Monrovia-based AeroVironment, the developer of unmanned aerial vehicles and electric vehicle charging technology, has scored an electric vehicle charging win with a Kansas based manufacturer. According to Milbank Manufacturing Co., based in... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Fallbrook Technologies, TRW In MOU
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies said this morning that it is in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TRW Automotive U.S>, covering the exploration of its technology for commercial vehicles. Fallbrook said that the two will explor... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 31, 2011
CoolPlanetBioFuels Gets Funding From GE Capital, NRG Energy, ConocoPhillips
Camarillo-based CoolPlanetBiofuels, a developer of non-food biofuel technology, is one of the first investments from a new venture capital fund launched Thursday by GE Capital, NRG Energy, and ConocoPhillips. According to GE, NRG, and Conoc... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, January 27, 2011
President Obama Highlights Caltech Energy Research
In last night's State of the Union Address, President Obama plugged an effort at Pasadena's California Institute of Technology to develop a way to convert solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water into fuel. The reference, which Obama describ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Genomatica Raises $21.25M
San Diego-based Genomatica, a firm developing sustainable chemical products using renewable feedstocks, has raised $21.25M in additional funding, according to numbers released in the recent PricewaterhouseCoopers/NVCA MoneyTree report. No d... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
CODA Expands Board
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive said late last night that it has added two new board members to the firm. According to CODA, James P. McGinnis and Lord John Browne have both joined the company's board of directors. McGinnis is Managing D... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
EmiSense Gets $3M
Irvine-based EmiSense Technologies said today that the firm has raised a second round of funding, worth $3M. The firm, which develops oxygen sensors, electrostatic particular matter senosrs, and nitrogen oxide sensors, said the funding was ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
CODA Holdings Names New CEO
Santa Monica-based CODA Holdings, the developer of electric vehicles and Lithium-ion power battery systems, said Friday afternoon that it has named Philip Murtaugh as its new Chief Executive Officer. Murtaugh was previously Chairman and Chi... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, January 21, 2011
Fallbrook Technologies Links With Electric Vehicle Firm
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the developer of electric vehicle transmissions, said earlier this week that it has linked with electric car maker TEAM Industries. Fallbrook and TEAM said they are partnering to develop an electric v... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, January 21, 2011
Gevo Sets Range For IPO
Gevo, the biofuels startup spawned out of technology from the University of California, Los Angeles and Caltech, has set an offering range for its IPO. Gevo, which started in Pasadena but is now located in Englewood, Colorado, said it is lo... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Green Jobs Growth Surges In California, Says Report
New jobs data released today by nonpartisan research foundation Next 10, finds that green job growth surged in California over the lsat few years, despite the economic crisis. According to data released by the group, job employment in the g... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
NanoH2O Names Operations Head
Los Angeles-based NanoH2O, which develops reverse osmosis membranes used for desalinating water, said today that it has named Kyle MacDonald its Vice President of Operations. MacDonald was most recently Senior Vice President and General Man... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2011
SoCalGas Funds Fuel Cell Manufacturer
Los Angeles-based gas utility Southern California Gas Co. said Thursday that it has made an investment of $1M, in Oregon-based ClearEdge Power, a manufacturer of fuel cells. Southern California Gas Co. said the investment is a "strategic ad... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, January 14, 2011
NanoH2O Appoints CFO
Los Angeles-based NanoH2O, the UCLA spinout developing reverse osmosis membranes used for purifying water, said today that it has named John Markovich as the firm's Chief Financial Officer. Markovich was most recently CFO of publicly held E... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Synthetic Genomics Brings Funding Up To $35.0M
La Jolla-based Synthetic Genomics, a developer of genomics technology for the biofuels industry, has now raised $35M of its ongoing $50M funding round, according to a recent regulatory filing from the company. Synthetic Genomics is backed b... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 10, 2011
RayTracker Acquired By First Solar
Pasadena-based RayTracker, a developer of solar tracking technology which is backed by Idealab, has been acquired by solar power module giant First Solar. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. First Solar said that RayTrack... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, January 7, 2011
Phoenix Energy Technologies Sets Up Shop In Irvine
Phoenix Energy Technologies, a developer of enterprise energy management software and services, said today that it has opened up a new corporate headquarters in Irvine. The firm was previously based in Somerset, New Jersey. Phoenix Energy T... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, January 7, 2011
CODA Holdings Raises $76M
Santa Monica-based CODA Holdings, the developer of electric vehicles and related battery systems, said today that it has raised $76M in an initial close of a Series D investment round. The new funding was led by Harbinger Capital Partners a... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, January 6, 2011
OnGreen Names Cleantech Advisor
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online marketplace for green funding and projects, said Wednesday that it has added a clean technology advisor to the firm. The company said that Dr. Mark Allen Bernstein, who is the Managing Director of the U... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2011
SAIL Venture Partners Expands Team
Irvine-based SAIL Venture Partners, the clean technology venture capital firm headed by Walter Schindler, said today that it has added two members of its team. SAIL said it has added Christopher Brown as a Senior Associate in the firm's Ora... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Contour Energy Rolls Out New Coin Cells
Azusa-based Contour Energy, the battery technology firm based on technology licensed from Caltech, announced this morning that it has debuted a new line of coin cell batteries based on its technology. The firm said it has introduced a new c... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Materia Spinoff Elevance Gets $100M
Bolingbrook, Illinois-based Elevance Renewable Sciences, a developer of ingredients for use in personal care products, detergents, lubricants and other specialty chemicals and fuel markets, based on renewable feedstock, has raised $100M in ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
SolarReserve Gets California Approval On Project
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility scale power plant projects, said Wednesday afternoon that it has received a final approval from the California Energy Commission (CEC), for construction of its 150 megawatt plant in ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Fisker Automotive Inks Chinese Distribution Deal
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, the developer of electric vehicles, said today that it has inked a distribution deal for its cars in China. According to the company, it has partnered with China Grand Automotive Group, which is says is the n... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Amonix Taps Flextronics For Manufacturing
Seal Beach-based Amonix, which designs and manufactures concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems, said this morning that it has tapped Flextronics as its manufacturing partner. Amonix--which is backed by Kleiner, Perkins, Caufiel... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, December 9, 2010
SG Biofuels Names VP
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, the developer of bioenergy crops based on Jatropha, said today that it has named Miguel Motta as its Vice President of Marketing and Strategy. Motta was most recently at Monsanto Company, and also has served at ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Fallbrook Technologies Gets $39M
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, a developer of transmission technology, said today that it has raised $39M in a Series E preferred stock placement. Fallbrook said the new round brings its total raised to approximately $95M since 200... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, December 7, 2010
SolarReserve Claims Progress On Power Projects
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the developer of utility scale solar power projects, claims today that it is proceeding with purchases of long-lead materials and equipment on its Crescent Dunes and Rice Solar Energy projects. The firm--whi... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, December 6, 2010
OnGreen Snags Cleantech Open's Steeb
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online green business marketplace headed by Nikhil Jain, said Wednesday that it has snagged Erik Steeb as the firm's new Vice President of Business Development. Steeb was most recently the Regional Director fo... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 1, 2010
ZPower Launches Assembly Line
Camarillo-based ZPower, a venture backed developer of silver-zinc battery technology, said today that it has qualified its automated assembly line for rechargeable microbatteries. According to ZPower, the new manufacturing line will have an... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2010
CODA Automotive Finds Financing Partner
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the developer of electric cars, said today along with Essex Credit Corporation, a subsidiary of Bank of the West, to provide financing to customers of the 2011 CODA Sedan. According to CODA, financing fro... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2010
CODA, Hertz Ink Rental Partnership
Santa Monica-based electric car manufacturer CODA Automotive and The Hertz Corporation said this morning that the two are in a deal to provide CODA's Sedans at "select" Southern California Hertz locations. According to the two, Hertz will a... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 22, 2010
AeroVironment Wins NRG Energy
Monrovia-based AeroVironment, which develops both unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and also electric vehicle charging technology, said today that it has been selected by energy firm NRG Energy to develop a privately funded, comprehensive ele... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 18, 2010
SolarReserve In Joint Venture With PV Solar Firm
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, a developer of large-scale, concentrated solar power and photovoltaic projects, announced Thursday it is in a joint venture with a photovoltaic power plant operator producer, GCL Solar Energy. According to S... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 18, 2010
Contour Energy Systems Names New Sales, Marketing Head
Azusa-based Contour Energy, the developer of advanced battery technology, said today that it has named Joe Carcone as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and also promoted Dr. Simon Jones to Vice President of Technology. Carcone joins th... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Contour Energy Targets 3DTV
Azusa-based Contour Energy Systems, the advanced battery manufacturer and technology developer headed by Joseph Fisher, announced today that it has launched a new line of coin cell batteries targeted specifically at 3DTV, active shutter gla... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 15, 2010
OnGreen Raises $1.4M
Los Angeles-based OnGreen, the online marketplace for green technology projects and investments headed by Nikhil Jain, said today that it has raised $1.4M in a Series A funding round. The round came from China Southern Hong Kong Investment ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 9, 2010
SAIL Venture Partners Adds Advisor
Costa Mesa-based clean technology venture capital investor SAIL Venture Partners announced today that it has added John Picard, a green technology leader, to its advisory board. SAIL Venture Partners said Picard was involved in the Gap's su... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 8, 2010
Coda Automotive Loses CEO
Santa Monica-based CODA Holdings, the parent firm of electric car company CODA Automotive, said late Friday that its CEO, Kevin Czinger, has resigned. According to CODA, it has named Steven "Mac" Heller as the company's Interim Chief Execut... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 8, 2010
Kinetic Traction Systems, With VC Backing, Takes On Mass Transit Energy Storage
Chatsworth-based Kinetic Traction Systems, a new startup headed by former Pentadyne Power COO Richard Newark, said today that it has launched the firm, and is looking to apply flywheel energy storage to the mass transit and rail market. The... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 4, 2010
EPS Wins Land O'Lakes In Energy Management Deal
Costa Mesa-based EPS Corp., which develops energy management systems, reports today that food and agricultural cooperative Land O'Lakes, Inc. has adopted the firm's energy management products. EPS said that Land O' Lakes is using the firm's... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 2, 2010
ClimateMinder Finds $380K
Glendale-based ClimateMinder, a developer of wireless climate monitoring systems for the agriculture market, has raised $380K, part of a $500K funding round, according to a regulatory filing from the firm today. Source of the funding was no... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 29, 2010
Amonix Breaks Ground In Vegas
Seal Beach-based Amonix, the maker of concentrated photovoltaic solar power systems, said Thursday afternoon that it has broken ground on a new factory in Las Vegas. According to Amonix, the new plant is expected to begin manufacturing in Q... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 29, 2010
San Diego Clean Technology CEOs Line Up Against Proposition 23
The fight over Proposition 23, the California referendum coming to the polls to overturn AB32, has more backers today, from a group of 30 San Diego CEOs. According to The Green Chamber of San Diego County and those CEOs, they are urging San... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 22, 2010
FlexEnergy Buys Ingersoll Rand's Energy Systems Business
Irvine-based FlexEnergy, a clean technology developer which is developing systems which convert methane into clean power, has acquired the Energy Systems business of Ingersoll Rand. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Ingersoll R... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 22, 2010
Venture Firms Line Up To Oppose Prop 23
A long list of California venture capital investors have joined to oppose Proposition 23, the California ballet initiative coming up in the polls, which looks to halt the state's recently passed AB32 clean energy law. The list includes Cost... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
EPS Wins Butterball
Costa Mesa-based Energy and Power Solutions (EPS), the provider of industrial energy management and carbon tracking software backed by Altira Group, NGEN, and Robeco, said Wednesday that it has been selected by turkey producer Butterball. E... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
CODA Automotive Names Fleet Sales VPs
Santa Monica-based electric car maker CODA Automotive continues to gear up for the release of the firm's CODA Sedan, saying today that it has hired two new VPs to head up fleet and commercial sales. CODA said it has hired Marc Search as Vic... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010
CODA Automotive Loses Sales VP
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the maker of electric cars, said late Tuesday evening that its Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and Distribution, Michael A. Jackson, has resigned. Reason for the departure was not given. CODA sa... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Cyber-Rain Gets $1.8M
Encino-based Cyber-Rain, the maker of smart irrigation controllers led by Diana Schulz, announced this morning that the firm has raised $1.8M in a Series B round of funding. According to the firm, the round was led by DeWaay Investment Part... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 11, 2010
CODA Automotive In Deal With Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Santa Monica-based electric car maker CODA Automotive said this morning that it has inked a deal with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which will offer up CODA's sedans at Enterprise car rental locations. According to CODA Automotive, Enterprise will... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 11, 2010
Contour Energy In Technology Deal With MIT
Azusa-based Contour Energy, the developer of next-generation battery systems headed by Joe Fisher, said today that it has acquired carbon nanotube technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Contour said the technology ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 11, 2010
Calnetix Sells Power Solutions Business To GE
Yorba Linda-based Calnetix, a developer of high speed motor and generator technology, said Friday that it has sold certain assets of its Calnetix Power Solutions (CPS) subsidiary to GE. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. Calnet... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 8, 2010
Power One Buys Fat Spaniel
Camarillo-based Power-One, a maker of power inverters and power supplies, has acquired startup Fat Spaniel. Fat Spaniel is a provider of software used for lifecycle management of renewable enrgy assets. Financial terms of the buy were not d... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 7, 2010
Southern California Leads In Green Businesses, Says Report
A new report released today by Next 10, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy group, says that Southern California--and California, as a whole--leads the green innovation, cleantech venture capital, and energy market. According to the repo... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 7, 2010
SolarReserve Gets CPUC Approval On Project
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the well-backed developer of solar thermal power plant technology, reported today that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), for the 25... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Soliant Gets Install Win In Chatsworth
Monrovia-based Soliant, the developer of concentrating photovoltaic solar panels, reported an install in Chatsworth today, saying it has installed its systems on the roof of MBK Tape Solutions, a firm which fabricates adhesive tape and flex... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
SG Biofuels Details Hybrid Seed Plans
San Diego-based SG Biofuels, a developer of Jatropha-based seeds aimed at the biofuels industry, detailed its plans for the market today, saying that it is developing proprietary technology for large-scale, Jatropha hybrid seed production. ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Gevo Buys Ethanol Plant
Gevo, the Caltech spinoff developing biofuels processing technology, said last week that it has completed its acquisition of a biofuels plant in Luverne, Minnesota. The plant--which currently is producing ethanol--will be converted to produ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 1, 2010
Amonix Wins Cal Poly Pomona
Seal Beach-based Amonix, a developer of photovoltaic energy systems, has scored a win at Cal Poly Pomona University. According to Cal Poly Pomona, it has installed a concentrated photovoltaic energy system from Amonix at its Lyle Center for... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 1, 2010
CODA Taps Wilson Sonsini For General Counsel
Santa Monica-based electric car maker CODA Automotive announced today that it has named Christopher Rose as its General Counsel. The firm said that Rose was most recently Of Counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, and also... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Cyber-Rain Raises $1.6M More
Encino-based Cyber-Rain, the developer of Internet-linked, automated sprinkler controllers, has raised $1.6M in a funding, according to a regulatory filing by the firm on Tuesday. According to the filing, the new funding is part of an ongoi... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010
CODA Automotive Begins Taking Deposits On Cars
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive is now taking deposits on the firm's upcoming, electric car, the CODA Sedan, the firm said today. According to CODA, it will allow consumers to reserve a CODA, via a fully refundable, $499 deposit at the f... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2010
SolarReserve Opens Nevada Office
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, the well funded developer of utility-scale solar thermal projects, said Monday afternoon that it has opened up a Nevada office. The firm said the office in Las Vegas will lead development and construction of... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, September 20, 2010
Contour Energy Announces Coin Cell Battery Line
Azusa-based Contour Enery Systems, the battery technology startup which is backed by CMEA Capital, Harris and Harris, Schlumberger and US Venture Partners, said today that it is planing the release of its first line of coin cell batteries, ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, September 20, 2010
MicroMedia Filtration Becomes M2 Renewables
Irvine-based MicroMedia Filtration, the venture backed provider of wastewater treatment and renewable energy technology, announced Thursday that it has renamed itself M2 Renewables. The firm, which is backed by clean technology venture capi... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, September 17, 2010
Insights: VCs Planting the Seeds for a Cleantech Bumper Crop in L.A.
For today's Insights and Opinions section, we have an article from Dr. John Paglia, an associate professor of finance and senior researcher of the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project. Los Angeles boasts 543,835 privately held co... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010
Grid2Home Gets Seed Funding
San Diego-based Grid2Home, a developer of energy management software, said today that it has raised a seed round of funding. The funding was led by Granite Ventures. Financial details of the funding were not disclosed by the company. Accord... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Advanced Telemetry Wins General Electric
San Diego-based Advanced Telemetry, the developer of smart energy management systems headed by Guz Ezcurra, said today that it has been selected by General Electric Co. Advanced Telemetry said that General Electric has adopted its EcoView R... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010
SG Biofuels Confirms $9.4M Fundraising
Encinitas-based SG Biofuels, a firm developing biofuels crops based on Jatropha, confirmed today that it has raised $9.4M in a Series A financing. The firm said the funding came from Flint Hills Resources, Life Technologies, and existing in... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010
AeroVironment Plans Fall Rollout Of Home EV Charging Stations
Monrovia-based AeroVironment said this morning that it is scheduled to begin installing its home, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations this fall, after receiving Underwriters Laboratories listing on its products. The firm said its networ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 9, 2010
Edison Rolls Online Electric Vehicle Cost Estimator
Southern California Edison, the electric utility which serves a significant chunk of the Southern California, is ramping up its preparation for electric vehicle deployment, saying today that it has launched a new online tool to help its cus... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Soliant Installs In Portugal
Monrovia-based Soliant Energy, a developer of concentrating photovoltaic solar energy systems, announced today that it has completed its first installation in Portugal. The firm--which specializes in providing its CPV systems to commercial ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Permlight Gets Funding
Tustin-based Permlight, a developer of LED-based lighting systems, announced today that it has scored a new round of financing. Source and size of the funding was not disclosed. According to Permlight, the new funding will go towards expand... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010
AECOM Names Sustainability Chief
Los Angeles-based AECOM Technology Corporation, which provides professional technical, project, and management support to companies and governments, said this morning that it has named Gary Lawrence as the firm's Vice President and Chief Su... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 7, 2010
CODA Automotive Aims At Hawaii
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the electric vehicle startup, said Thursday that it intends to distribute its CODA Sedan to customers in Hawaii in Q3 of 2011. According to CODA, the effort is part of an effort to support the Hawai'i Cle... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 2, 2010
SG Biofuels Lands $9.41M
Encinitas-based SG Biofuels, a developer of Jatropha-based biofuels technology, has raised $9.41M in a funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Source of the new funding was not disclosed. SG Biofuels is headed by ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Fallbrook Technologies Raises $6M
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, a developer of continuous variable transmissions for the electric car and other industries, has raised $6M more in venture capital, according to an updated S-1 from the firm. The company, which is in ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Next X Prize: Clean Cooking Technology
Playa Vista-based X Prize Foundation, the nonprofit which is running a series of competitions to advance science and technology, has unveiled it latest prize under development: clean-burning cookstoves. The group said the new effort, which ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 30, 2010
CODA Automotive Names CFO
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the developer of electric vehicles, said today that it has named Mark Jamieson as its Chief Financial Officer. According to CODA, Mark was most recently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial office... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 30, 2010
Cool Planet Biofuels Gets $3.0M More
Camarillo-based Cool Planet Biofuels, a firm developing biofuels technology to replace gasoline using biomass, has raised $3.0M as part of an ongoing, $8.0M funding round, according to a filing by the firm today. Source of the new funding w... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, August 26, 2010
Maxwell Technologies Claims Strong Growth In Ultracapacitors
San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies, a developer of energy storage and other products, is claiming this morning that it is seeing "strong demand" for the firm's ultracapacitor-based energy storage products. The firm said it has seen sales ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2010
REC Solar In Major Install In Arizona
San Luis Obispo-based solar project installer REC Solar said today that it has scored what it claims is the largest, solar installation on a carport in Arizona. According to REC, it has been awarded a second contract to design and install a... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 16, 2010
Gevo, With Ties To Caltech and UCLA, Files For IPO
Gevo, a startup which is developing renewable chemicals and biofuels technology, has filed for an IPO, according to an S-1 filing by the firm Thursday afternoon. Gevo--which is now based in Englewood, Colorado--was started in Pasadena, and ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, August 12, 2010
ISE Files For Chapter 11
San Diego-based ISE Limited, a developer of energy storage systems and hybrid-electric drive systems, said Tuesday evening that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The firm said it made the filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court f... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Amonix Supplies Giant Solar Power Generating Project In Colorado
Torrance-based concentrating photovoltaic solar power firm Amonix looks to be a major winner in the announcement today that Cogentrix Energy will build a 30,000 kilowatt solar generating project in southern Colorado. According to Cogentrix ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 9, 2010
Cleantech Investments Up In Q2
A new analysis released today b y Ernst & Young, based on data from Dow Jones VentureSource, finds that U.S. venture capital investment in the clean technology sector was up in Q2. According to the study, US VC investments in cleantech hit ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2010
X Prize Foundation Puts Up $1.4M Prize For Oil Cleanup Invention
The X PRIZE Foundation has detailed the plans for a new competition to develop technology to clean up crude oil, on the heels of the environmental disaster caused by BP's oil spill in the Gulf. The foundation said Thursday that it is launch... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010
VYCON Wins Fortune 500 Customer
Yorba Linda-based VYCON, a venture-backed developer of flywheel-based energy storage systems, said today that it has shipped 7MW of its systems to an un-named, Northweast Fortune 500 company. According to VYCON, the customer--a supplier of ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010
Interview with Peter Diamandis, the X Prize Foundation, On The 100MPG Auto
Yesterday, the X Prize Foundation (www.xprize.org) announced the finalists in the Progressive Automotive X Prize, a $10M competition geared at advancing automotive technology and developing 100 MPG automobiles. We spoke with Peter Diamandis... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Interview with Peter Diamandis, the X Prize Foundation, On The 100MPG Auto
Yesterday, the X Prize Foundation (www.xprize.org) announced the finalists in the Progressive Automotive X Prize, a $10M competition geared at advancing automotive technology and developing 100 MPG automobiles. We spoke with Peter Diamandis... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Qualcomm Enables Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
San Diego-based Qualcomm said Tuesday that it has inked a deal with electric car charging firm ECOtality, to provide cellular connectivity into that firm's electric charging stations. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Qualcomm... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Huge Wind Energy Project Opens In Southern California
A new, major wind energy project in Mojave--backed by about $1.2 billion in financing--officially broke ground today, as part of an effort to generate around 1,550 megawatts of renewable energy for Southern California. According to Terra-Ge... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Carbon Micro Battery Becomes Enovate
Irvine-based Enovate Corporation, which is backed by Mission Ventures and Draper Fisher Jurvetson, said today that it has renamed itself from Carbon Micro Battery. The firm, which is developing rechargeable battery technology aimed at the s... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
SAIL Co-Leads Investment In Energy Storage Firm Xtreme Power
Costa Mesa-based clean technology venture investor SAIL Venture Partners is one of the firm co-leading in investment in energy storage firm Xtreme Power, which announced today that it has raised $29.5M. According to Xtreme Power, SAIL Ventu... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Finalists Named In Automotive X PRIZE
Nine vehicles from seven teams have been named finalists in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, the competition for super fuel efficient vehicles being run by Playa Vista-based X PRIZE Foundation this morning. According to the gro... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
X Prize Foundation Aims At Oil Cleanup Efforts
The X Prize Foundation, based in Playa Vista, is applying its competitive model for technology innovation to the huge, BP oil spill. According to the foundation, it is set to launch its sixth major competition next week, which will be a mul... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 23, 2010
Caltech Leads $122M Energy Effort
The U.S. Department of Energy is continuing its efforts to fund new energy innovation projects, saying Thursday that it is awarding up to $122M in funding to a project being led by the California Institute of Technology, based out of Pasade... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 22, 2010
Amonix Expands In North Las Vegas
Seal Beach-based Amonix, a designer and manufacturer of concentrated photovoltaic solar power systems, said today that it has signed a lease for 214,000 square feet in North Las Vegas. Amonix said the new manufacturing facility will have pr... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010
SoCal Edison Hits One Million Smart Meters Installed
Southern California Edison said Monday that it has installed its one millionth smart meter, eleven months after the firm started installing the meters in its territory. The electric utility said that it started installing smart meters start... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, July 12, 2010
Synthetic Genomics Inks $300M Deal With ExxonMobil
La Jolla-based Synthetic Genomics, a firm founded by DNA sequencing inventor J. Craig Venter and funded by Draper Fisher Juvetson, Meteor Group, Biotechonomy LLC and Plenus, S.A., BP plc, and ACGT Sdn Bd, said this week that it has inked a ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 9, 2010
Ceres Details Financing Round
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, a developer of biofuels crop technology, said Thursday that it has completed a private offering of convertible preferred stock. The funding came from Artal Luxembourg, Ambergate Trust, Gimv, and other undisclosed ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 8, 2010
Ceres Raises $20M
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, a developer of biofuel crop technology, has raised another $20M in funding, according to a regulatory filing from the firm Friday. Source of the new funding was not disclosed. The filing indicates the round came f... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 2, 2010
Soliant Energy Installs In Palm Springs
Pasadena-based Soliant Energy, the developer of concentrating solar energy systems, said this week that it has commercially installed one of its systems in Palm Springs, California. The firm, which is backed by Convexa Capital, GE Energy, N... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 2, 2010
OnGreen.com Launches Clean Deals Marketplace
Los Angeles-based CleanGreenGuy.com, which operates an online marketplace for green business deals, said it has renamed itself OnGreen.com, and is live with its new service. The site allows users to post green investment and business deals,... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2010
German Thin Film Solar Cell Firm Sets Up Shop In Los Angeles
German thin-film solar module manufacturer Sulfurcell, in an expansion into the United States, said today that it has established new North American operations out of new offices in Los Angeles. According to Sulfurcell, it is backed by Inte... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Solarmer Energy Partners With NREL
Los Angeles-based Solarmer Energy, the UCLA spinout which is developing flexible plastic solar panels, and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), said today that they have signed on in a research ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, June 21, 2010
Southern California Teams Named Cleantech Open Semifinalists
The Cleantech Open, the clean technology focused business competition, has named the semifinalists for its 2010 competition, indicating a number of Southern California firms are semifinalists in the competition. According to the Cleantech O... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Amonix Names CFO, Directors
Seal Beach-based Amonix, the heavily backed manufacturer of concentrated photovoltaic solar power systems, said today that it has named a new CFO and two independent directors. The firm--which recently scored a huge, $129.4M funding round f... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, June 14, 2010
AeroVironment In Electric Car Charging Station Deal
Monrovia, California-based AeroVironment, which develops both electric car charging infrastructure as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, has scored a major win in South Carolina this week. Plug In Carolina, a nonprofit supported by South Car... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 4, 2010
GM Gets Into Venture Capital
General Motors announced Friday morning that it has entered into the venture capital industry, and created its own transportation venture capital arm called General Motors Ventures, LLC. GM said the new unit will help it to "pursue innovati... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 4, 2010
SANYO, UCSD In Research Deal
SANYO Electric Group, which has its North American headquarters in San Diego, and the University of California, San Diego, said yesterday that they are in a research collaboration agreement focused on renewable energy. SANYO said it it will... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 4, 2010
CODA Automotive Plans Factory In Ohio
Santa Monica-based electric car firm CODA Automotive said Tuesday that it has selected Ohio for the location for an automotive-grade, lithium ion battery system manufacturing facility. CODA said the new factory could employ more than 1,000 ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Transonic Combustion Adds GM's Lutz To Board
Camarillo-based Transonic Combustion, the fuel injection technology firm backed by Venrock, Khosla Ventures, Rustic Canyon, and Saints Capital, said Monday that it has added former General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz to the company's b... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
PowerGenix Hires Chinese Director
San Diego-based PowerGenix, a manufacturer of rechargeable, Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries, said today that it has hired a managing director for its Asian operations. The firm said that Dr. Xu Gang, who the firm said is a leader in the Chines... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Ceres, Novozymes In Biofuels Collaboration
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, a developer of biofuel crop technology, and Novozymes, a developer of enzymes, said today that the two have entered into a research collaboration around cellulosic biofuel production. The companies said that they ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010
Paragon Airheater Technologies Snags Funding
Corona-based Paragon Airheater Technologies, a developer of technology to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in fossil fuel power generation plants, has raised a round of funding, according to Costa Mesa-based venture capital firm... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
CODA Automotive Names Sales VP
Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive, the heavily backed electric car manufacturer, said today that it has hired David Funston as its Vice President, Fleet and Commercial Sales. Funston joins the company from Funston Fleet Services, which he ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010
Five Area Firms Get DOE Funds for Concentrating Solar Power Research
Five, Southern California firms are among companies who are splitting up $62M in government funding for the research, development, and demonstration of concentrating solar power systems, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department o... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, May 7, 2010
Southern California Firms Drive Surge In Electric Car Investments
A new analysis of Q1, 2010 venture capital investments finds that two Southern California companies drove a 490 percent increase in Clean Technology Industrial Products & Services for the quarter. According to Ernst & Young, which analyzed ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, May 7, 2010
Transphorm Takes $20.2M From KCPB
Goleta-based Transphorm, a stealth-mode firm developing hydrogen generating technology for the clean energy market, has raised $20.2M in a venture funding, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Source and details of the fundin... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Fisker Funding Target Up To $174.9M
Irvine-based electric vehicle maker Fisker Automotive has now pulled in $100.7M in its latest funding round, now targeted at $174.9M, according to a regulatory filing from the firm today. The firm announced commitments for $115.3M in privat... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Los Angeles Lures Electric Vehicle Firm, Backed By Warren Buffett
Los Angeles has lured BYD, a Chinese alternative-energy auto maker, to the city, as Southern California seems to have become a magnet for electric and other alternative automotive firms. According to an announcement Friday by Los Angeles Ma... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, April 30, 2010
Altra Biofuels Spinoff EdenIQ Gets $12.4M
EdenIQ, the biofuels yield enhancement technology firm that is a spinout of Los Angeles-based Altra Biofuels, has scored a $12.4M venture funding round. According to EdenIQ, the Series B funding round was led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, April 30, 2010
Clean Green Guy Names VP
Pasadena-based Clean Green Guy, the online marketplace for green and clean business deals, said Wednesday that it has named Patrick McKenna as its new Vice President of Business Development. The firm said that McKenna was most recently Chie... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Interview with Jerry Fitch, Teridian Semiconductor
Last week, Irvine-based Teridian Semiconductor (www.teridiansemiconductor.com), a developer of semiconductors for the electric metering and electricity measurement market, was acquired by Maxim Semiconductor. We had a chance to speak with J... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010
Belkin Buys Energy Sensing Technology Firm
Playa Vista-based Belkin, a manufacturer of computer accessories, announced today that it has acquired Zensi, a developer of technology that senses and monitors energy use. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to Belkin... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010
eSolar Takes $20M More
Pasadena-based eSolar, the solar thermal technology developer backed by Idealab, Google, Quercus Trust, ACME Group, NRG Energy, and Oak Investment Partners, has raised $20M in an unannounced funding round, according to numbers from the late... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 19, 2010
Clean Technology Deals Hit $1.9B In Q1
Clean technology venture capital deals hit $1.9 billion, across 180 clean technology companies in Q1, according to a report released yesterday by the Cleantech Group and Deloitte. According to the report, the investment represent a new reco... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 1, 2010
EcoDog Selected By Home Builder
San Diego-based EcoDog, a developer of home energy efficiency and management products, announced Tuesday that the firm's products have been selected by a Carlsbad-based new home builder. According to the firm, its FIDO Home Energy Watchdog ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Advanced Telemetry Gets Win At Green House Showcase
San Diego-based Advanced Telemetry, a developer of smart energy management systems for the residential and light commercial market, reported Tuesday that it has been selected for the ZENERGY House, a demonstration net-zero-energy remodeling... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010
V-Vehicle Rejected For Federal Loans
San Diego-based V-Vehicle Company, the stealthy alternative energy auto startup backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and T. Boone Pickens, said Wednesday that the Department of Energy has rejected the firm's bid for $321.1M in feder... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 25, 2010
Los Angeles Tops Green Buildings List
Los Angeles is ranked number one on a just-released list of the Top 25 cities with the most ENERGY STAR labeled buildings, according to the EPA. According to the EPA's list, Los Angeles was ranked number one, with 293 buildings with a total... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Power-One Names Renewable Energy Sales VP
Camarillo-based Power-One, a manufacturer of power supplies, said Friday that it has named Kent Sheldon as the firm's Vice President of Renewable Energy Sales for North America. Sheldon was most recently at Enphase Energy, and also served a... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 19, 2010
Interview with Joe Fisher, Contour Energy
Earlier this month, Azusa-based CFX Battery, a stealthy battery technology spinout from Caltech, announced it had raised a new round of funding worth $14.2M. This week, the firm announced that it was renaming itself Contour Energy (www.cont... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010
SAIL Venture Partners Ups Commitments To $80.65M
Costa Mesa-based SAIL Venture Partners, a venture capital firm focused on clean technology, has upped its commitments in Sail Venture Partners II from limited partners to $80.65M, according to a regulatory filing from the firm today. The fi... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 15, 2010
PowerGenix Eyes Military Tank Market
San Diego-based PowerGenix, a venture backed developer of Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) rechargeable batteries, announced Tuesday that the firm has sold a number of its batteries to the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering C... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2010
KB Home To Wire Into Electric Vehicles
Los Angeles-based home builder KB Home said this morning that the firm will begin offering an option to pre-wire its homes for electric vehicle charging stations. KB said that its "Built to Order" homes nationwide will offer an option to ac... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2010
US Renewables Group Launches Wind Power Firm
Santa Monica-based US Renewables Group, a private equity firm focused on renewable power, biofuels, and clean technology, said this morning it has created a new company, Westerly Wind LLC, to provide capital and expertise to developers of w... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, March 8, 2010
Glendale Gets Smart Grid Grant
The City of Glendale's utility, Glendale Water & Power reported today that it is the first city in the nation to get funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for its smart grid efforts. The city said it has signed a $20M, federal Smart Gr... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, March 4, 2010
Kyocera To Manufacture Solar Modules In San Diego
Kyocera Solar, a manufacturer of solar modules, said today that it is planning to begin manufacturing solar modules in San Diego, to serve the U.S. market. The firm said it is looking to produce 1,000 megawatts of solar cells per year by Ma... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 3, 2010
V-Vehicle Benefits From $11.55M Louisiana Bond
Stealthy San Diego-based V-Vehicle -- which is working on an alternative energy vehicle -- is the beneficiary of a $11.55M bong issue from the Ouachita Parish in Louisiana, as part of the firm's effort to build a plant in the state, accordi... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 22, 2010
ecoATM Gets Funding
San Diego-based ecoATM, a developer of automated kiosks for recycling cell phones and other electronics, said this morning that it has raised a first institutional round of funding. The round came from TAO Venture Partners, the new venture ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Craton Equity Partners Boosts Biofuels Station Operator
Los Angeles-based venture fund Craton Equity Partners announced today that it has led an investment in Sacramento-based Propel Fuels, a retailer of alternative fuels for motor vehicles. Propel runs a number of alternative fueling stations i... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SoCal Second Place In 2009 Clean Technology Investments
A report released today by Ernst & Young finds that Southern California was number two in the nation in terms of clean technology investments for the year. According to the analysis of 2009 venture capital, based on data from Dow Jones Vent... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 8, 2010
Flux Power Wins Wheego
San Diego-based Flux Power, the battery management technology spinout of LHV Power, said late Thursday that it has signed a battery supply agreement with electric car maker Wheego Electric Cars. Flux Power said it wil provide energy storage... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, January 29, 2010
Fisker Automotive In Deal With A123, Gets $23M
Irvine-based plug-in hybrid automobile developer Fisker Automotive has scored $23M in an investment, as part of a deal with lithium ion battery maker A123 Systems, the firms said Thursday morning. According to A123 Systems, it is in a batte... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010
Cool Planet Biofuels Gains $3.5M
Camarillo-based Cool Planet Biofuels, which is developing technology to maximize fuel energy for cellulosic biomass, has quietly raised $3.5M in funding, according to a recent regulatory filing by the firm. The source of that funding was no... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Los Angeles Projects Get Slice of $47M DOE Effort
Two, Los Angeles-area projects are the beneficiaries of the Department of Energy's $47M funding effort, announced today, to bolster technologies that can improve energy efficiency in the information technology and communications technology ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010
SolarReserve In Deal with NV Energy
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, a developer of utility-scale solar power projects, announced today that the firm has inked a 25-year, power purchase agreement (PPA) with NV Energy. The firm said the deal will supply approximately 480,000 m... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Interview with Nikhil Jain, Clean Green Guy
One of the industries which has seen a lot of activity lately in Southern California is clean technology, with a large amount of investment activity and new company formation. We recently ran into Nikhil Jain, CEO of Clean Green Guy (www.cl... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fallbrook Technologies Gains $4.0M More
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, a developer of continuous variable planetary transmissions used for the automotive industry, has raised $4.0M in an equity funding, according to a recent regulatory filing by the firm. Details on the ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 23, 2009
Flux Power Launches Lithium Battery Technology
San Diego-based Flux Power, a developer of lithium batteries and charging systems, said late last night that it has introduced a new family of products aimed at the industrial, solar, EV, wind, and peak-shaving power markets. The firm--whic... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, November 20, 2009
SolarReserve Gets Approval On 50MW Solar Thermal Project
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, a developer of utility-scale, solar energy products, said today that it has received a key environmental permit for a 50 megawatt, solar thermal power project in Spain. The firm, which is backed by over $140... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Aptera Loses Founders
Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony, two of the founders of Carlsbad-based Aptera, have been ousted from the company, according to a report on Wired.com today. Aptera, which is building lightweight, composite electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 16, 2009
V-Vehicle Ramping In Louisiana
San Diego-based V-Vehicle, the stealthy, automotive startup which is heavily backed by such notable investors as Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Google, and T. Boone Pickens--is apparently ramping up its factory in Louisiana, according to... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 12, 2009
Energy Innovations Gets Win In UAE
Pasadena-based Energy Innovations, a developer of concentrating solar modules, has scored a win in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the firm announced Friday morning. Energy Innovations said it has been awarded a contract to install its sys... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, November 6, 2009
MicroMedia Filtration Gains Series A Funding
Lake Forest-based MicroMedia Filtration, a developer of wastewater treatment systems for municipalities, said today that it has raised a Series A funding. The funding came from Costa Mesa-based SAIL Venture Partners. Amount of the equity fu... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009
posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ceres Gets $4.9M Grant From DOE
Thousand Oaks-based Ceres, a developer of energy crops for the biofuels energy, has landed $4,989,144 in a grant from the Department of Energy, as part of a $151M effort to fund energy breakthroughs. According to the DOE, the funding--part ... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 26, 2009
posted on Thursday, October 22, 2009
Los Angeles Among Top Areas For Green Jobs
A report released this week from analyst firm Clean Edge, Inc., finds that the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County metro is number two on the list of geographies with the most clean-tech job activity. In the report--which evaluated current ... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009
Flux Power Spins Out Of LHV
San Diego-based LHV Power, a supplier of power supplies to the electronics and medical instruments markets, said late Thursday that it has spun off a new company called Flux Power, which will focuse on Lithium battery technology management,... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 9, 2009
eSolar Expands Into South Africa
Pasadena-based eSolar, a developer of solar thermal power technology being used for power plants, said this morning that the firm has inked a deal with a South African firm to expand sales through Sub-Saharan Africa. The firm, whose technol... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, October 9, 2009
Achates Power Gets $12.1M
San Diego-based Achates Power, a firm developing clean diesel engine technology, has raised $12.1M in a $20M funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Details on the funding haven't been released, however, the firm'... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, October 5, 2009
Clean Energy Fuels Buys BAF Technologies
Seal Beach-based Clean Energy Fuels, a provider of natural gas for the transportation industry, reported this morning that it has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire BAF Technologies, a provider of natural gas vehicle systems an... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009
Fisker Automotive Gets $528.7M Loan
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, which is developing electric vehicles, is the recipient of a $528.7M loan from the federal government, according to the Energy Department. According to the Energy Department, it expects the loan will result i... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Santa Barbara Firm In $725M Deal To Revive Ford Factory
A Santa Barbara-based firm Clairvoyant Energy, is behind a plan to revive an idled, Ford Motor Vehicle plant in Michigan, according to an announcement from Ford Thursday. According to Ford, it is selling its Wixom Assembly Plant to two firm... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009
Soliant Opens Pilot Plant
Monrovia-based Soliant Energy, a developer of solar concentrators, is opening up its new pilot production plant in Monrovia today, saying that the plant will produce up to 1 megawatt of solar panels annually. The firm is having a ribbon cut... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009
Interview with Woolas Hsieh and Dina Lozofsky, Solarmer Energy
In the recent surge in interest in the clean technology and energy investment area, we're constantly surprised by the number of startups in the area focused on some aspect of the industry. Recently, we learned about Solarmer Energy, a spino... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009
V Vehicles: New Investors Include Google Ventures
Stealthy San Diego alternative energy vehicle firm V Vehicles, which just raised $62.25M in a funding round, apparently has added Google Ventures as an investor in the company. V-Vehicles--which counts Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, August 6, 2009
Interview with Gus Ezcurra, Advanced Telemetry
Last month, San Diego-based Advanced Telemetry (www.advancedtelemetry.com) announced that the company had scored a Series B round of funding from clean technology investor Quercus Trust and 21Ventures, for the firm's energy monitoring solut... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, August 6, 2009
eSolar Unveils Lancaster Plant
Pasadena-based solar thermal technology developer eSolar has unveiled a Lancaster solar power plant this morning, saying that the firm's 24,000 mirror, 5-megawatt plant will provide electricity for more than 4,000 homes in the Antelope Vall... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 5, 2009
V Vehicle Gets $62.25M
San Diego-based V Vehicle, the stealth energy efficient automobile firm, has raised $62.25M in a funding round which closed July 20th, according to a regulatory filing from the firm today. It's unclear if the funding is part of a reported $... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Borrego Solar Gets Into Solar Finance With $30M In Funding
El Cajon-based Borrego Solar Systems, a venture-backed installer of solar power systems, is extending into the power-purchase agreement (PPA) market today with $30M in new backing. According to Borrego, it will offer financing to schools, c... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 3, 2009
Topanga Technologies Gets $6M
Canoga Hills-based Topanga Technologies, a stealth-mode developer of energy efficient lighting for the industrial, commercial, and general lighting market, has raised $6M, according to a regulatory filing from the firm. No details on the fu... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009
posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009
SAIL Venture Partners Adds Advisor
Costa Mesa-based SAIL Venture Partners, a venture capital firm focused on clean technology, announced Tuesday that the firm has added Joseph J. O'Byrne to the firm's board of advisors. Byrne was most recently a Senior Consultant in Alternat... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Quantum Fuel Systems Inks $10.2M Contract With Fisker Automotive
Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies, a developer of energy storage and other related systems, said today that it has signed a $10.2M contract with Fisker Automotive to develop plug-in hybrid powertrains. According to Quantum, the... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Interview with Bernardo Herzer, LEHR
There has been a lot of recent interest in green technologies and products which attack the green/clean technology space, with a number of firms in Southern California tackling parts of that problem. One of those companies is LEHR (www.gole... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, June 29, 2009
Report: Cleantech Investments Also Drop in Q1
Clean technology investments were not immune from the global slowdown, showing a 69 percent drop in capital and 48 percent decline in deals in Q1, according to a recent analysis by Ernst & Young. According to the firm, clean technology firm... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 11, 2009
Transonic Combustion Gets Series C Funding
Camarillo-based Transonic Combustion, which is developing fuel injection systems for the automotive industry, said Wednesday that the firm has raised a Series C round of funding. The funding came from Venrock, Khosla Ventures, Rustic Canyon... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2009
EPS Corp Gets $30M
Costa Mesa-based EPS Corp, a provider of energy intelligence software to help manage corporate energy and carbon reduction efforts, said today that it has raised $30M in a Series B funding round. According to EPS, the funding was led by Alt... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 23, 2009
EnLink Geoenergy Raising Round, Relocates To LA
Los Angeles-based clean technology investor Craton Equity Partners is reporting today that the firm is in the midst of raising a $10M, second round of funding for portfolio firm EnLink Geoenergy Services. According to Craton, as part of the... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 9, 2009
eSolar Signs 500MW Solar Deal
Pasadena-based eSolar, which is developing technology for utility-scale, solar thermal energy plants, has scored a deal with power generator NRG Energy, NRG said today. The deal calls for NRG to use eSolar to develop solar plants with a cap... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 23, 2009
Borrego Solar Sells Residential Solar Installation Business
El Cajon-based Borrego Solar Systems, a installer of solar power systems, announced Thursday that the firm is selling off its residential business and will focus exclusively on its commercial and government customers. The firm, which is fre... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009
X PRIZE Foundation Gives $25K To UCI Students
Two UC Irvine Students, Kyle Good and Bryan Le, have scored $25,000 from the X PRIZE Foundation and Prize Capital, in a competition which invited ideas for green energy projects for the group. The X PRIZE Foundation reported today that it h... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 5, 2009
Borrego Solar Lands $14M
El Cajon-based Borrego Solar Systems, a developer of grid-tied solar electric power systems, announced this morning that the firm has received $14M in a venture financing round. The firm, which installs commercial, residential, and public s... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Cleantech Investments Hit $4.7B In 2008
Clean technology investments reached a record $4.7 billion, across 186 financing deals in 2008, according to a new analysis by Ernst & Young released Tuesday. According to the analysis, based on data from Dow Jones Venture Source, there was... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Cisco Buys Santa Barbara Firm
San Jose-based networking giant Cisco said today that it has acquired Richards-Zeta Building Intelligence, a Santa Barbara firm which develops software used for managing building infrastructure. According to Cisco, Richards-Zeta's middlewar... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009
WaterHealth Gets $10M In Series D
Irvine-based WaterHealth International, which is developing water purification and disinfection technology, has scored the first close of a Series D funding round, the firm said late Tuesday. The firm said the funding brings its total fundi... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009
AeroVironment Gets Win At Nestle For Electric Vehicles
Monrovia, California-based AeroVironment, which develops electric charging systems used for electric vehicles, said Monday that it has installed more than 200 of its PosiCharge fast charge systems at Nestle facilities in North America. Fina... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 12, 2009
Fallbrook Technologies Shifts Into $25.4M
San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, which is developing transmission technology for the automotive industry and human-powered devices, has raised $25.4M in a venture capital round. According to lead investor NGEN III, LP, the funding in... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, January 12, 2009
Aptera Pushes Back Electric Car Production
Carlsbad-based Aptera, the electric car startup backed by Google and Idealab, is delaying delivery of the firm's vehicles to customers, according to a letter to customers. According to Aptera, it missed its goal to deliver its first product... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Interview with Rajeev Kapur, Greenwala
Today's interview with with Rajeev Kapur, Chairman and Chief Wala, Greenwala (www.greenwala.com), a recently launched social networking site focused on green/sustainable topics. We spoke with Rajeev about the idea behind the site, how he we... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, December 19, 2008
PowerGenix Deploys At Camera Chain
San Diego-based PowerGenix, a developer of rechargeable nickel-zinc batteries, is supplying its technology to retail camera and photo chain Ritz Camera. Irvine-based Ritz Camera said it has introduced a new, Nickel-Zinc AA rechargeable batt... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
MVM Funds Energy Management Firm
Los Angeles-based Momentum Venture Management has funded a firm in the energy space, PhoenixESG, PhoenixESG said this morning. The company, which is based in New Jersey, develops energy management, monitoring, control systems and services. ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Greenwala Launches Green Social Networking Site
Lake Forest-based Greenwala, a new startup, launched its social networking site Wednesday, saying that it is hoping to connect people with brands focused on sustainable lifestyles. The firm said that the site will allow companies to showcas... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008
SoCal Firms In X PRIZE Auto Contest
Los Angeles-based X Prize Foundation said today that it has signed up 22 teams in the firm's Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, including two Southern California teams. The prize, which is looking to award $10M to a team which develo... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
ISE Gets $17.5M For Hybrid-Electric Technology
Poway-based ISE Corporation announced Monday afternoon that the firm has raised $17.5M in an equity investment for the firm's advanced hybrid-electric drive systems. According to ISE and its investors, the Series D funding came from Siemens... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, November 17, 2008
Miles Electrical Vehicles Gets $13M, Looks For $40M
Santa Monica-based Miles Electrical Vehicles is reportedly seeking $40M in a venture financing round. According to a report from PeHub.com, Miles Electrical Vehicles has raised $13M so far in the round. The funding apparently is coming fro... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, November 6, 2008
Southern California Leads Cleantech Funding Activity
Ernst & Young LLP released an analysis of clean technology fundings for Q3, finding that there were $363.5M in clean technology investments in Southern California for the quarter, a significant chunk of an overall $1.6 billion in fundings... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008
Soliant Adds GE As Investor In $21M Round
Monrovia, California-based Soliant Energy has scored $21M in a venture capital round, including a $2.5M investment from GE Energy Financial Services, GE said Tuesday. According to GE, it is investing as part of a round which also includes C... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Energy Innovations Discloses Customer Wins
Pasadena-based Energy Innovation, the solar concentrator firm backed by Idealab, said earlier this week that it has signed up a number of customers using its solar tracking technology. Energy Innovations said that British Telecom is using i... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, October 9, 2008
eSolar Inks Technology License Deal With Sundrop Fuels
Pasadena-based solar thermal technology developer eSolar has inked a deal with another clean technology firm, Sundrop Fuels, the company announced today. According to eSolar, it will supply its heliostat and sun tracking technology to Sundr... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2008
NanoH2O Lands $15M More
Los Angeles-based NanoH2O is reporting that it has secured $15M in additional funding, for the firm's water desalination technology. According to the firm, the round came from Oak Investment Partners and Khosla Ventures. Brian Hinman of Oak... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008
eSolar Hires VP Engineering
Pasadena-based eSolar, the Google-backed thermal solar energy startup, is announcing today that it has hired on a new Vice President of Engineering, Craig Tyner, Ph.D. According to eSolar, Tyner joins the firm from Sandia National Laborator... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sapphire Energy Scores $50M In New Funding
San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, which develops technology for producing gasoline using algae, said Wednesday that it has raised an additional $50M in funding from its existing and new investors. Sapphire says the Series B round came from A... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
PowerGenix Raises $30M
San Diego-based PowerGenix, which develops Nickel-Zinc rechargeable batteries, said today that it has raised $30M in a Series D funding round. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, and also included Advent International, Angeleno ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
SolarReserve Raises $140M
Santa Monica-based SolarReserve, a developer of utility-scale, renewable energy solar power plants, said today that it has raised $140M in a Series B funding round. The firm said the funding was led by the renewable energy private equity gr... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Idealab's EI Solutions Gets Solar Win In Santa Barbara
EI Solutions, the solar integration startup backed by Pasadena-based Idealab, has scored a win in the City of Santa Barbara. According to Tioga Energy, a renewable energy services provider, and EI Solutions, the two are building and funding... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008
Fisker Automotive Pulls In $65M More For Electric Car
Irvine-based Fisker Automotive, which is developing hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, said Tuesday that it has scored $65M in a Series C funding round. According to Fisker, the funding completed on September 4th, and was led by an affili... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Aptera Hires CEO
Carlsbad-based Aptera, the electric car startup funded by Idealab and Google, said today that it has hired on a new President and CEO, Paul Wilbur. According to Aptera, Wilbur joins the firm from American Specialty Cars, a supplier of open ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Quantum Fuel Systems Gets $19.1M In PIPE
Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technology, one of the firms behind electric car maker Fisker Automotive, said Wednesday that the firm has raised $19.1 in a registered direct offering from a single, unnamed institutional investor. Name an... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Energy Innovations Gets UL Certification, Looks For More Funding
Pasadena-based solar power concentrator firm Energy Innovations, one of the solar power startups out of Idealab, said Monday that it has received a UL Certification from Underwriters Laboratories, and also said that it is looking for more f... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, August 4, 2008
Aptera Raises $24M In Series C
Carlsbad-based Aptera said late Thursday evening that it has raised $24M in a Series C funding. The funding announcement came shortly after Google disclosed it had provided funding through Google.org to the company. Funding in this round ca... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 25, 2008
Aptera Scores Funding From Google
Carlsbad-based electric car startup Aptera Motors has scored $2.75M in funding from Google's nonprofit arm, Google.org and its RechargeIT initiative, Google said Wednesday morning. Aptera is developing both all-electric and hybrid vehicles.... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Guidance Goes Green
Marina Del Rey-based Guidance, a Internet hosting provider, said Tuesday that the firm has started providing what it calls "100 percent carbon-neutral" hosting solutions. Guidance said that it has moved to using energy-efficient servers and... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Cyber-Rain Gets More Funding
Agoura Hills-based Cyber-Rain, which develops a smart sprinkler controller system for conserving water, said Monday that it has scored new investors in a Series A financing. The firm did not disclose the size of the funding, but said the ne... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, July 7, 2008
Researchers Use Cell Phones, Facebook For Green Measurement
University of California Los Angeles researchers said this week that they have created a project which allows users to connect their cell phones and an application, as well as the Facebook social networking web site, to measure their person... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Interview with Jeff Green, NanoH2O
We recently bumped into Jeff Green, CEO of Los Angeles-based NanoH2O, an advanced materials startup focused on using nanotechnology for water desalinization, the use of filtering technology to remove salt from the oceans to supply clean dri... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008
eSolar Links With Southern California Edison On Solar Power Plant
Pasadena-based eSolar, the Idealab firm focused on commercial solar electricity, is in a deal with Southern California Edison to build 245MW worth of solar plants in the Antelope Valley. According to eSolar, the deal calls for it to deploy ... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2008
EdenIQ Raises Venture Round
Encino-based EdenIQ, which is developing cellulosic ethanol technology for the clean energy sector, has quietly raised a round of venture capital as part of the firm's spinoff from Altra Biofuels. According to EdenIQ's web site, current inv... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008
Craton Equity Partners Closes $191.5M Cleantech Fund
Los Angeles-based Craton Equity Partners said Wednesday that the firm has finalized on a third and final close of a new clean technology focused venture capital and private equity fund. The firm said that it has raised $191.5M for the fund,... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008
Southern California: The New Detroit?
Recently, the CEO of GM (NYSE: GM), Rick Wagoner, extolled the importance of electric cars. It does seem like a no-brainer, especially in light of environmental concerns and the soaring price of crude. In fact, the mega car company is exp... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, May 5, 2008
eSolar Raises $130M For Solar Power Plants
Pasadena-based eSolar said this morning that it has raised an astounding, $130M in venture funding for the construction and deployment of pre-fabricated solar power. The firm said the funding came from Idealab, Google.org, Oak Investment Pa... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 21, 2008
Venture Capital Fundraising Slows, But Fund Sizes Increase
Thomson Financial and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) reported Monday that venture capital fundraising slowed during the quarter, with a 31 percent decrease in the number of funds raising venture capital funds in the first q... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, April 14, 2008
ORYXE Energy Gets Biodiesel Approval
Irvine-based ORYXE Energy, a venture-backed firm developing biodiesel additives, said Tuesday that the firm has received an approval from the state of Texas. ORYXE explained that the approval--the second from the state--allows the firm's ad... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Enviance Takes On Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Carlsbad-based Enviance, a provider of Internet-based environmental compliance information and related systems, said earlier this week that it has combined its systems with a vehicle diagnostic systems as a part of an effort to reduce green... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, March 14, 2008
Clean Technology Investments Jump To $3B Globally
Dow Jones VentureSource released numbers Friday showing that venture capitalists invested $3B in 221 clean technology deals worldwide in 2007. The report found that the number of dollars invested was a 43 percent increase over last year, wh... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 29, 2008
UCSB Launches Energy Efficiency Institute
The University of Santa Barbara is launching a new Institute for Energy Efficiency today, in an effort to focus its faculty members on energy saving technology development at the school, the school said today. The school said the new instit... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008
Miles Electrical Vehicles Scores $15M
Santa Monica-based Miles Electric Vehicles, which is developing plug-in electrical vehicles, said today that it has raised $15M in an investment round from Angeleno Group and other investors. The firm said that it will use the funding to ad... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, February 22, 2008
Topanga Technologies Gets Funding From Khosla Ventures
Topanga, California-based Topanga Technologies, a firm developing high intensity, discharge lighting products, has quietly raised a round of capital from Khosla Ventures, the venture capital arm of Vinod Khosla. The funding was disclosed by... READ MORE...
posted on Monday, February 11, 2008
Morgan Stanley Buys Stake In Cleantech VC NGEN Partners
Morgan Stanley announced Tuesday that it has taken a stake in Santa Barbara-based cleantech firm NGEN Partners LLC. Amount of the minority equity investment was not disclosed. Morgan Stanley claimed that the investment was the first by a ma... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Energy and Power Solutions Raises $20M
Costa Mesa-based Energy and Power Solutions, a firm which helps manufacturing firms develop energy efficiency, renewable generation, and other "clean energy" projects, has raised $20M in a Series A financing. The funding came from NGEN and ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Interview with Reza Pourzia, Cyber Rain
For our Friday interview, we thought it would be interesting to profile Cyber Rain (www.cyber-rain.com), a Los Angeles company in the clean technology space which recently raised a small round of funding. Reza Pourzia is founder and CTO of ... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, November 2, 2007
Cleantech Investments Surge
Ernst & Young and Dow Jones VentureOne are reporting today that the investments in clean technology companies this year have reached $1.1B in the first half of 2007. The research, which was released today, found that clean technology invest... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
US Renewables Group Closes $475M Fund
Los Angeles-based US Renewables Group announced Tuesday morning that it has closed on $475M in commitments for its second fund, USRG Power & Biofuels Fund II, LP. The fund is focused on renewable power generation, clean fuels, and related l... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2007
SAIL Ventures Funds Spark Plug Firm
Costa Mesa-based SAIL Ventures has funded Albuquerque, New Mexico-based ENERPULSE Incorporate, a firm developing a drop-in-replacement for automotive spark plugs. SAIL led a $5.5M Series B funding, alongside Altira Group. SAIL Ventures is a... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, July 6, 2007
Interview with Bill Gross, Idealab
Bill Gross is CEO and Founder of Pasadena-based Idealab (www.idealab.com), the company that created Overture Services, CitySearch, Picasa, and a number of other high profile, successful high tech startups in Southern California. Bill is key... READ MORE...
posted on Friday, June 8, 2007
Q1 Cleantech Venture Investments Hit $903M
North American and European investors invested a staggering $903M in clean technology investments in Q1 of 2007, according to a report released today by Cleantech Venture Network, a group that focuses on clean technology investments. Cleant... READ MORE...
posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007
ORYXE Names New Chairman, CEO
Irvine-based ORYXE Energy has named a new chairman and CEO, saying yesterday that Walter L. Schindler is returning to SAIL Venture Partners, the lead investor in ORYXE. James M. Clearly will be appointed to the position. Clearly has been o... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Interview with Jim McDermott, US Renewables Group
Jim McDermott is CEO of US Renewables Group, a developer and investor in renewable energy and clean fuel technology, including methane energy systems and biomass energy. Jim is best known for founding Stamps.com, which went public in 199... READ MORE...
posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Norcal Entrepreneurs Bankroll Clean Technology Challenge
A group of Northern California entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and service providers have launched a new, statewide competition for encouraging clean technology innovation. The California Clean Tech Open was launched in San Francisco ... READ MORE...
posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006