Cleantech investments fall off, but the surge continues for energy efficiency

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U.S. venture capital cleantech investment took a dive in Q3 2010 — 55% compared to Q3 2009 — but the Ernst & Young LLP analysis that yielded that depressing number says the news isn't as awful as it sounds. "This quarter reflects the ongoing volatility in cleantech investment that we have observed over the past two years, depending on the presence of the very large transactions we see in cleantech," said Jay Spencer, Ernst & Young's Americas cleantech director. "However, a number of factors point to the continuing strength in the U.S. cleantech sector, including growth in energy efficiency investments and corporate involvement throughout multiple industries — from utilities to technology to consumer products," he added. The analysis noted that the number of energy efficiency financing deals grew by 21% and that the dollar amount of those deals rose by 6%.

Quick Take: Regardless of the maze of numbers and comparisons in the analysis, it essentially underscores the steady growth in the energy efficiency market we've been reporting for some time.

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