Solazyme wins big with $57M for renewable oil
Solazyme, producer of renewable oil derived from algae, just raised $57 million in third-round funding to bring its total capital to more than $76 million. In addition to producing so-called green fuels, the San Bruno, Calif., company is expanding its eco-friendly chemicals business — an… Continue Reading
Solar co. Solyndra shines with $220M
Solar installation maker Solyndra has every reason to celebrate the new year, raising $219.2 million in fifth-round funding from a flock of 23 investors. This is the second largest investment received by any U.S. cleantech company in the last year, coming in behind the $300… Continue Reading
Innovalight rakes in $5M for solar cell ink
Investors Leader Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank have shined on solar cell company Innovalight, providing $5 million in new financing toward the development of silicon solar modules so small they can be painted onto surfaces like ink.
The Sunnyvale, Calif. company uses liquid processing of silicon… Continue Reading
Roundup: Intel launching six-core chip, Miasole raising big round, the making of Google’s Chrome and more
Here’s the latest action:
Intel to launch six-core microprocessor – A chip code-named Dunnington is expected to debut on Sept. 15. Intel will put six cores, or computing brains, on a single chip. But this is really no big deal. I’ve got a 666-core chip of… Continue Reading
HelioVolt hopes for a fast scale-up with high-efficiency CIGS process
updated, with correction
These are heady times for the thin-film solar industry. The sector’s dominant player, First Solar, has been on a tear of late, recently announcing it would build a second 10 megawatt power plant in Nevada, while Miasole, once thought to be ailing, has… Continue Reading
ArcelorMittal launches cleantech and carbon funds
ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel manufacturer, has announced the creation of two new funds: a cleantech venture capital fund which will initially invest $20 million in Miasole and a €100 million ($157 million) carbon fund.
The Luxembourg-based multinational will work with several leading VC firms, including… Continue Reading
Miasole perhaps not so unhealthy after all — may get $200M investment
Miasole, the thin-film solar cell maker that is the third member of a triumvirate of heavily-funded CIGS startups including Heliovolt and Nanosolar, has been pretty quiet since losing its CEO and laying off 40 workers late last year. In the interim, there has been plenty… Continue Reading
Duke Energy invests $100M in rooftop solar projects
Duke Energy — hardly your conventional renewable energy startup — has thrown its hat in the solar ring with a $100 million investment in commercial-scale rooftop solar panels.
The Charlotte, North Carolina, based electric utility will partner with commercial and residential property owners to tap into… Continue Reading
HelioVolt claims CIGS thin film efficiency record
HelioVolt CEO BJ Stanbery is set to announce that his company has set a new speed record for CIGS conversion efficiency, ratcheting up the pressure in the competitive, high-stakes thin-film solar cell sector. The Austin, Texas, start-up, which raked in a cool $101 million in… Continue Reading
Roundup: Kleiner Perkins has something up sleeve, new HP circuit may replace your synapses, EA-Land shuts down, and more
Here’s the latest action:
Kleiner Perkins preparing “big news” — Venerable venture fund Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has “big news” that it will be sharing tomorrow morning, we hear. We’ll be covering it first thing. One possibly related item is the recent registering of the… Continue Reading
Roundup: Funny or Die raises cash, Netsuite soars & much more
1. Funny or Die raises $15M, despite chance of latter
2. Did White House lead rejection of California’s emissions claims?
3. Redhat CEO Matthew Szulik resigns
4. Startup.com’s Tuzman to save Roo.com
5. Netsuite’s stock soars past $35
6. Cisco’s Charles Giancarlo, leaves to Silver Lake Partners
7. Jacked, online sports… Continue Reading
Solar cell company Miasole raises $50M
Miasole, the Silicon Valley company developing a new, flexible type of solar cell, has raised a significant $50 million in a fourth round of financing.
The funding deal, which comes after Miasole struggled to meet quality deadlines for its technology, was widely rumored to have been… Continue Reading
Solar disappointment: Miasole loses CEO
Three years ago, venture capitalists began investing in crop of Silicon Valley companies promising radical breakthroughs in solar cell technology.
One promising technology was copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), a compound which experts believe can make cells and panels much more flexible — so that they… Continue Reading
Silicon Valley’s new solar cell companies slipping on delivery dates
Amid all the excitement about new solar technology, several promising companies are slipping on their delivery dates.
However, most of the companies still say they plan to deliver — it’s just a matter of time before they hit the market
Solyndra, a Santa Clara, Calif. solar company… Continue Reading
Feds inject $168M into solar, boon for start-ups
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $168 million to 13 solar companies, many of them Silicon Valley start-ups, in what is the equivalent of manna falling from heaven for these companies.
It is cut-throat industry, where solar projects are expensive and difficult to get… Continue Reading
Miasole, the super thin solar cell co., raises $35M more
Miasole, the Santa Clara start-up which makes super thin solar cell technology, has raised $35 million more in venture capital.
VentureWire has the scoop today (sub required). Miasole is one of a handful of players producing solar technology based on CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenium) and… Continue Reading