Market Comment

Confidence returns to cleantech

Thursday, 30 July 2009 10:37

Canadian cleantech IPO: sign of a recovery?

Strong performances by cleantech shares in recent months, along with incidences of cleantech businesses raising money on equity and bond markets, suggest that investors are finally recognising the sector’s potential.

The US-focused WilderHill Clean Energy Index – at 106.41 points – is currently more than 82.2% higher than its mid-March low of 58.41 points. Meanwhile, the ÖkoDAX index, which follows the ten largest renewable energy companies listed in Frankfurt, is up more than 68% since its low point in March, despite profit warnings from constituents like Phoenix Solar and Q-Cells.

Carbon overshadowing water issue

Thursday, 30 July 2009 10:35

Not enough attention is being paid to the growing impact of increased energy usage on the planet’s dwindling freshwater resources because of a fixation on lowering carbon emissions, according to a new report published by Boston-based Lux Research.

“Global Energy: Unshackling Carbon from Water” states that, while new energy sources and extraction methods may reduce carbon intensity (kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilowatt- hour of useful energy) they often require increased water usage. “On a planet where only 0.008% of the water is renewable, such tradeoffs will become an increasingly important consideration for executives and policymakers,” says Michael LoCascio, the report’s author. “Fortunately, many of the technologies and approaches needed to reduce water intensity are here today, or on the horizon.”

Wind sector awaits release of US stimulus funds

Monday, 22 June 2009 09:06

US stimulus funds for the cleantech industry have begun to flow with confirmation from Barack Obama of more than $467 million for geothermal and solar energy projects, aimed at helping the industries overcome technical barriers, demonstrate new technologies and provide support for clean energy jobs for years to come.

Tough times continue for European solar firms

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 17:37

- but H2 recovery expected by some

Problems with financing large photovoltaic (PV) projects are continuing to hamper growth, according to recent reports from some of Europe’s largest solar wafer and cell manufacturers.