2 March '10
2:33 PM EST
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  Cleantech
Top Ten Players in Green Energy

February Top Ten Players in Green Energy

Green Energy Reporter’s ranking of the top ten players in green energy for the month of February is out! Our top-ten list is based on the players’ influence over green energy policy and their ability to move the debate.

1: Bloom Energy


Whoa! What a launch. The rollout of Bloom Energy’s Bloom Box will likely emerge as a case study of close-to perfect PR execution. One must admit anticipation was high considering that for the past eight years the Silicon Valley company had remained tight lipped about its fuel cell technology. But when the company, which since its inception has raised $400 million, was ready to talk, boy did it talk, culminating with a whole segment on 60 Minutes. All the way through, Bloom Energy’s CEO and backers stayed on message, describing the Bloom Box as a green, clean source of power. And for the most part the media bought the narrative. Although, by the end of the week-long media fest, questions emerged asking how green the Box really was, considering that it does emit C02 when producing energy. Albeit, at the end of the day, thanks to thorough fundamental research (and good strategic PR), Bloom has for the time being anchored itself as one of the “it” players in greentech. However, $400 million later, the question lingers: Will Bloom turn out to be a Google or a Segway? Segway is a losing investment of one Bloom backer, Kleiner Perkins. Read More »

13 February '10
2:19 PM EST
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  Funding
  Policy
  Solar
  Wind

This Week In Green Energy: When Solar and Nuclear Meet

In a cash-constrained world, this week’s acquisition of solar developer Ausra by Areva (the French government-backed maker of nuclear reactors) makes sense.  We could see similar deals as small clean energy companies with big ideas and small balance sheets turn to large companies with stronger balance sheets.

Over the past decade, Areva, led by CEO Anne Lauvergeon, evolved from a secretive, tightly controlled government agency to a corporate-like entity. Areva’s alternative energy unit already manufactures wind turbines and is also involved in biomass generation, but the Ausra acquisition marks the company’s first solar investment. Read More »

9 February '10
2:09 PM EST
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  Funding
  Solar

Exclusive: Greentech Capital Advisors Advises Ausra on Acquisition by Areva

Solar thermal power developer Ausra tapped Greentech Capital Advisors as its financial advisor in its acquisition yesterday by Areva, the Paris-based company best known as a maker of nuclear reactors.

Areva was advised by Deutsche Bank. Read More »

8 February '10
12:31 PM EST
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  Funding
  Solar

Nuclear Reactor Maker Areva Acquires Ausra

Areva, one of the world’s largest maker of nuclear reactors, has acquired Mountain View, Calif., -based solar-thermal equipment maker Ausra, which had been on the auction block, talking to potential buyers at least sine November.

Paris-based Areva and Ausra did not disclose financial or other terms of the deal. Read More »