2006 saw the close of at least four dedicated cleantech funds in North America, and the launch of another four in Europe. In the US, a survey by the National Venture Capital Association found that 92% of VCs expected increases in cleantech and energy investment in 2007.
The public markets are also showing a strong appetite for cleantech. Figures from New Energy Finance show that clean energy companies raised a total $10.3 billion in 2006, up from $4.3 billion in 2005 and just £700 million in 2004. The flagship has been Suntech Power, a Chinese solar group that raised almost $400 million on NYSE in late 2005, one of the largest venture-backed IPOs of recent years.
