Abu Dhabi looks to raise $600M for renewable energy hub, Masdar City
Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned energy company, announced over the weekend that it will be raising between $300 and $600 million to start construction on Masdar City, the massive planned hub for cleantech research and innovation, especially in the renewable energy sector. As its name suggests, the development will also be a zero-carbon, zero-waste city for about 50,000 residents, the government in the United Arab Emirates capital claims.
Today, the company followed up with more news that… 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 million bagged by competitor Nanosolar. The amount breaks down into $96.6 million in working capital and $122.2 million in convertible promissory notes.
The Fremont, Calif. company has not disclosed its plans… Continue Reading
Segway ups third funding to $35M — have you bought yours yet?
Sidewalks used to be so much nicer, before the Segway Personal Transporter started hitting the streets. Remember being able to walk peacefully along, happy on the two legs God gave us? Then Dean Kamen brought us the Segway, and suddenly you couldn’t step outside without one whizzing by. Everyone and their neighbor bought one, making Kamen and his investors rich –
Whoops, sorry, wrong future. In retrospect, it seems at least a little silly that the… Continue Reading
The future of solar is nanotech: Nanogram, Sunflake and other upcoming technologies
With a fresh $32 million funding going to nanotechnoloy firm NanoGram, mainly for development of next-generation solar cells, it’s a good time to point out some up-and-coming technologies that work on very small scales to make photovoltaic cells more efficient.
NanoGram has already had several commercial successes, including inventions in both electronics and medicine. However, the company has of late turned its sights on boosting the efficiency of solar cells.
The company is working on ultra-thin crystalline… Continue Reading
HelioVolt grabs $77M more for solar tech — despite hiccups in CIGS
updated
Solar cell manufacturer HelioVolt Corp. has raised $77 million in a second round of financing, despite the setbacks seen at a number of other companies using the same “CIGS” technology.
Tech Confidential reports the news here.
Update: This morning, VentureWire (subscription only) has followed and notes the round’s investors: Abu Dhabi’s government-affiliated Masdar Clean Tech Fund and U.S.-based Paladin Capital Group led the round for the Austin, Tex. company. Also participating were Solucar Energias, the solar subsidiary… Continue Reading