Company which makes PV panel boosters gets $18 million investment

A California-based company which makes electronics that can improve how solar panels convert sunlight into energy by as much as 20 percent raised $18 million in its fourth financing round as it expands manufacturing and international sales.

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BioAmber files for I.P.O. to fund new succinic acid production plants

Another company using biomass to replace petroleum-based ingredients found in consumer goods has announced plans to raise up to $150 million through an initial public offering. BioAmber Inc., headquartered in Minnesota, uses microorganisms to ferment biomass to produce succinic acid, a naturally-occurring substance that could replace its petroleum-derived cousin maleic anhydride. Both substances are used to create high-value chemicals used in the plastics, textiles and pharmaceutical industries including 1, 4-butanediol.

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Energy storage leads Q3 U.S. clean tech investments – Ernst & Young

Energy storage led clean technology investments during the past three months, raising the total amount of venture capital pouring into the United States close to a quarter compared to the same period a year earlier, a report from Ernst & Young LLP published yesterday revealed. There were 76 companies developing renewable power and energy-efficiency technologies that received $1.1 billion funding recorded in the quarter, more than double the 36 investments last year, the New York-based accounting firm said.

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Batteries maker Ener1 suspended in Nasdaq

American Lithium-ion batteries maker Ener1.Inc is now officially suspended from trading on the Nasdaq, a huge blow to the battery maker after experiencing troubles with Norwegian electric car maker Think and the resignation of the company’s top two executives in the last two months.

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Khosla-backed biofuel company Mascoma files for $100 million I.P.O.

Another biofuel company backed up by Khosla Ventures is planning to raise as much as $100 million through an initial public offering. Biofuel company Mascoma Corporation makes genetically-enhanced yeasts and bacteria that can already produce the necessary enzymes needed to break down plant sugars and ferment it into ethanol, combining two stages in ethanol production into a single step.

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Renewable Energy Group files for $100 million IPO on Nasdaq

Renewable Energy Group Inc., said to be the largest biodiesel producer in the United States, has filed plans for an initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market to raise as much as $100 million to acquire a production facility and expand overseas. The Iowa-based company makes biodiesel from inedible animal fat, used cooking oil, inedible corn oil, and other feedstocks.

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Battery Ventures, Rho Ventures back Clean Urban Energy in Series A

Clean Urban Energy raised $7 million in a Series A round with Battery Ventures and Rho Ventures to speed up the development of a software that lets building owners reduce their utility bills by allowing them to plan energy consumption using details like the building’s temperature, electricity market prices and the weather.

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BrightSource raises $ 201 million as I.P.O. rumors linger

BrightSource Energy, Inc. raised $201 million from investors in its most recent funding round as observers speculate that the California-based solar thermal technology project developer could go public this year. Alstom invested $75 million in the round. Alstom, which also made a $55-million investment in BrightSource in May 2010, is now the second largest shareholder in the solar thermal firm next to the company itself, BrightSource said.

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Enel opens green power arm’s I.P.O.

Italy’s biggest power company seeks to raise 3.4 billion euros to cover debts

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Silicon Valley venture capital firm unleashes $ 100 million fund

VantagePoint Venture Partners launches $100 million for China’s clean technology and financial services sectors

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