Cleantech Group, a global research firm focused on cleantech innovation, today released preliminary 2011 results for clean technology venture and corporate investments around the globe, totaling $8.99 billion, a 13 percent increase over 2010. Cleantech mergers & acquisitions reached record highs in 2011 with 391 deals and a dollar volume of $41.2 billion, a robust 153 percent growth over 2010. Solar was the leading sector by amount invested ($1.81 billion), followed by energy efficiency ($1.46 billion) and transportation ($1.12 billion). Energy efficiency was the most popular sector measured by number of deals, with 150 funding rounds, ahead of solar (111 deals) and transportation (61 deals).
“Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”“While 2011 has been a difficult year for cleantech and venture capital, our 2011 numbers show surging interest in cleantech from global enterprises,” said Sheeraz Haji, CEO of Cleantech Group. “Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”
Throughout 2011, investment totals grew while the number of deals declined by 7 percent compared to 2010, an indication that average round size is increasing. Of the 713 deals, 61 percent (438) were Series B or later rounds, accounting for 85 percent ($7.64 billion) of all money invested during the year.Investments in North America grew significantly from $5.20 billion in 2010 to $6.81 billion in 2011, or a 30 percent increase. On the other hand, Europe and Israel took a step back, with $1.30 billion invested in 2011 compared to $1.84 billion in 2010.In the public markets, China remained strong for cleantech IPOs. 28 of the 51 IPOs in 2011 came out of China, led by several massive offerings by large renewable energy corporations such as Sinohydro, Sinovel Wind Group and Huaneng Renewable Energy.
U.S. Solar Industry Reaches New Heights
