Solar installer, Akeena, raises $4.1M in PIPE

Akeena Solar, a Los Gatos, Calif. installer of solar power systems, said it raised about $4.1 million from a private investment.

The cash is to help it keep up with new competitors such as SolarCity, and comes at a time when the solar sector is growing rapidly.

Akeena is already public, and so the private investment is called a PIPE (Private Investment in a Public Entity).

The Westly Group, run by former state controller Steve Westly, also… Continue Reading

Musk leads $10M investment in SolarCity — to provide solar for all

Updated

SolarCity, a new Silicon Valley start-up wants to be the Swiss arms-dealer of the solar industry, and has just raised $10 million to do it.

It wants to provide solar installation for individuals and small companies — by acting as an honest, neutral broker, and giving them the best, most affordable technology available.

SolarCity, of Foster City, is the latest start-up backed by serial entrepreneur and former PayPal co-founder, Elon Musk. Musk, who recently led an investment… Continue Reading