From Credit Crunch to Cleantech Revival California Is Cool Again

California is Back Thanks to Cleantech Commitment 

After going through one of the worst recessions in it's history California is now seeing its economy flourish on the back of clean technology investment. Data from the 2012 California Green Innovation Index states that not only are investment commitments in renewable energy, clean tech patent filings, and energy productivity in the State reducing the levels of carbon emissions, it's also helping the local economy rise from the dire circumstances of the Credit Crunch.

California is now leading the US in cleantech investment by 24% which represents app. $3.5 billion in capital. The State also represents 25% of the total green patent activity in the country and is also known as the venture capital leaders throughout the world as well.

For those who are still discrediting the future of cleantech it is now time to rethink your position, 13.7% of California's generation portfolio was made up of renewable energy generation. The big three California utilities are profiting from their dedication to renewables and are investing very heavily in the venture, they now account for 17% of total ownership in the marketplace.

The State itself is passing the 1,000 megawatt mark in energy generation via solar technologies, which has lead to the licensing grow substantially with over 1500 new solar firms starting up since 2005. The interest in solar has seen employment grow within the sector 166% in the past seven years.

The situation is best summed up by Doug Henton, CEO of Collaborative Economics when he stated “California, by setting the market rather than chasing it, is now reaping the rewards”.

This is a blueprint for the future, clear evidence that cleantech investment is not only the only future we must choose for our continued existence but also one that is financially viable to boot. We may look back at the collapse of the Californian housing market as the catalyst for the change that had to be made.

Below is Arnold Schwarzenegger as Keynote Speaker at the 2011 APRA - E Technology and Innovation Summit

Julia Gillard Leads the Way with The 2012 Australian Clean Technologies Competition

 The 2012 Australian Clean Technologies Competition Launch

This month the Australian Federal Government announced the launch of The 2012 Australian Clean Technologies Competition which “will link with business mentors, access training opportunities and showcase their capabilities to potential customers, investors and the media.”


While many Federal Governments around the world continue to bury their heads in the sand regarding pushing forward with Cleantech initiatives, I feel that the Australian Labor Party are continuing to take positive steps in becoming the foremost major green political party in the world.

Sure they are being pushed by the Greens on many fronts and they also have made some serious blunders with implementation of policy but they can’t be accused of sitting on their hands in the most critical moment of the environment’s history.

Part of the $8.2 million Supplier Advocate Program and supported by the CSIRO, Enterprise Connect, Austrade and Commercialisation Australia the winner will be given an opportunity to represent Australia at the International Global Ideas Competition in 2012.

Last year’s winner SMAC Technologies showcased its air conditioning technology that greatly reduces the energy consumption to the bigwigs of Silicon Valley. Wayne Ryan, Director of SMAC Technologies spoke of the experience, “The access to the Silicon Valley investment community really helped our business, and the domestic exposure has helped us develop a stronger presence here in Australia.”


Below is video highlighting "The Latest Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning":

Clean Tech World Expo 2014

My interest in cleantech is not just confined within the parameters of the corporate space.

Currently an all encompassing approach involving all socio-economic demographics of the community on New York City are working hand in hand with scientific leaders to helping shape, "The Blue Network", a major ports project that is now moving out of the idealogical forum into a practicable and sustainable existence via the One Prize.

While only its incubative state the project is serving as an excellent precursor and promotional tool leading up to the Clean Tech World Expo which will be held in NYC in 2014.

Below is a video of the promotional material of last years One Prize:

All sectors involved with the future of a greener Earth are busily promoting a partnership between community, corporate, Government and scientific leaders that will take us well into the 21st Century and beyond. Everyone can make a difference and everyone will be held accountable to our future generations for what we did to arrest the toxic condition of the environment.

Cleantech, The Financially Viable Model

The matter of cost has proven to be the most common errors made with the subject of Cleantech. With over a decade within the industry and supplying over $450 million in venture capital to green corporate start-ups I have seen the cost levels decrease by nearly 100% since we first started Sigalla Partners in 2002. With the introduction of overall cost effective measures in scientific infrastructure, cleantech is an industry that aside from saving the planet from the dire situation it is in, will be the largest growth sector of the 21st Century.

Endorsing this stance is the highly influential Vinod Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems, who is currently dispelling the myth of the expenses related with cleantech. 

Below is a video of Vinod Khosla -Dispelling the Myth that Cleantech is capital intensive:

Clean and Green Investment Forum - June 4th, 2012

Opal Financial Group's Clean and Green Investment Forum was created to bring experts from several fields including science, community and business across the world to discuss the most integral measures in the application of cleantech and greentech measures into the mainstream corporate marketplace. We have focused of late to include attendees that represent pension funds, endowments, and trusts as well as representing utility companies, federal and state government agencies, and energy-equipment companies. On the agenda this year we will cover clean and green funds, infrastructure projects, equipment advances, energy systems, etc. 


After many years within the cleantech sector, successfully assisting with the funding of several large projects and overseeing their start up we were honoured to be included among the panellists of the Sydney, Australia, Clean and Green Investment Forum which will be held  Monday, June 4,  at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney. 


If there is any topics that you wish to raise in regards to this Forum, we encourage a discussion, we are aiming to create a transparent relationship with the community as we head towards a greener planet and any further insight and enlightenment is appreciated.