Many investors are shifting funds from capital-intensive alternative-energy technologies, such as solar panels, to lower-cost ventures focused on energy efficiency and “smart grid” technologies that automate electric utility operations.
A California company can pull lithium, and other critical metals, out of the effluent water of geothermal power plants, removing the need to drill or blast for new resources the way miners typically do.
Even as certain tax credits and funding from Washington have dried up, U.S. states remain in competition for clean energy funding, especially from venture capitalists.
In coming years, energy from waste-heat recovery systems could be the greenest power available, while letting more U.S. businesses squeeze extra energy out of their power bills.
As clean-tech investing can be volatile, investment strategists generally advise dipping into this space as part of a larger, diversified portfolio plan. Here’s a look at the largest funds, based on market capitalization.
While they’ve attracted a dedicated following, electric cars are still carving out their niche and flirting with the mainstream. Here are some eye-popping models.