Friday, November 30, 2007

Altair Nanotechnologies Announces Completion of Private Placement

RENO, NV -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTI), a provider of advanced nanomaterial-based products and technology used in energy for transportation and stationary power, industrial and life science applications, announced the completion of a $40 million private placement of its common stock to Al Yousuf LLC. Link. Chart.

Canadian Solar Inc. Announces Private Offering of US$75 Million of Convertible Notes

JIANGSU, China, -- Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: CSIQ) announced that it plans to make a private offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, of approximately US$75 million of its convertible senior notes due 2017. Canadian Solar intends to grant the initial purchaser of the notes an option to purchase up to an additional US$11.25 million in aggregate principal amount of the notes to cover overallotments. Link. Chart.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

VeraSun Energy and US BioEnergy Announce Merger Agreement

BROOKINGS, S.D., and ST. PAUL, Minn. -- VeraSun Energy Corp. (NYSE: VSE) and US BioEnergy Corp. (Nasdaq: USBE) announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each company. The merger is expected to close during the first quarter of 2008, pending shareholder approval, anti-trust regulatory clearance and the completion of other customary conditions. Link. Chart:VSE Chart:USBE

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Ze’ev Drori will become CEO of Tesla Motors

San Carlos, CA -- A Message from Elon Musk, Chairman of Tesla Motors: For the past several months, the board of Tesla Motors has been engaged in a search for the right person to lead the company through its next phase of growth. During the search, we met with many candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including both the automotive and high-tech sectors. Given what Tesla needs to accomplish, the ideal CEO is someone that understands the automotive sector, but also has a proven entrepreneurial and high-tech track record. Advancing our leading electric drivetrain technology is critical, but, above all, the Tesla CEO must be someone who will ensure that the products we deliver to customers are outstanding. To that end, it is with great pleasure that I announce that Ze’ev Drori will become CEO of Tesla Motors, effective December 3rd. Link.

Brian Lynch Joins Recurrent Energy

San Francisco, CA — Recurrent Energy, Inc., a San Francisco-based owner and operator of rooftop solar electricity systems, has announced that Brian Lynch, a 19-year veteran of the energy industry, has joined the company as vice president of sales. Link.

SunPower Secures Project Financing Agreement With Morgan Stanley

SAN JOSE, Calif., -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced that Morgan Stanley has agreed to provide the company with up to $190 million in financing for future commercial and public agency solar electric power installations. Link. Chart.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Tioga Energy Appoints Preston Roper Executive Vice President

San Mateo, CA – Leading renewable energy services provider Tioga Energy has named Preston Roper Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Operations, effective immediately. Roper will steer the company’s ability to scale and deploy an expanding array of solar PPA (power purchase agreement) projects. Link.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Ener1 Completes $32 Million Equity Placement

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., -- Ener1, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ENEI), an alternative energy company, announced completion of a $32 million common equity private placement with a group of six major financial institutions and an alternative energy investment trust. Link. Chart.

SolFocus Board Appointments and $63.6M Funding Round

MADRID, Spain and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., -- SolFocus Europe announced the selection of its Board of Directors. The board includes global leaders from the electronics, energy, clean tech and financial sectors. Also today, SolFocus Europe announced the completion of its Series A financing and SolFocus, Inc. announced the completion of its Series B round. The final tally for these completed financings is US$63.6 million (Euro 43.3 million), including the initial close of US$52 million (Euro 38 million) announced by SolFocus in September. Link.

Monday, November 19, 2007

HelioVolt Adds Two Board Members

AUSTIN, Texas – HelioVolt Corporation, a producer of highly-efficient thin film solar products, announced two key additions to the company’s Board of Directors. E. Kenneth Pentimonti, principal at Paladin Capital and Ronald D. Bernal, partner at Sequel Venture Partners, join the board as HelioVolt moves to commercial application of its proprietary rapid transfer printing process for CIGS thin film photovoltaics. Both new board members recently participated as investors in HelioVolt’s $101 million Series B funding round, which will be used to help fund global scale-up for the company. Link.

Syntroleum Announces Management Realignment, Cost Reduction and Financing

TULSA, Okla.--Syntroleum Corporation (NASDAQ:SYNM) announced that it has realigned the management team, restructured the organization and secured a portion of the financing for its Dynamic Fuels joint venture with Tyson Foods. The following management changes were announced: Effective December 28, 2007, John B. Holmes, Jr., the Company's Chief Executive Officer, has elected to retire from the Company. Mr. Holmes will resign his positions as an officer and director of the Company effective November 19, 2007. Effective December 2, 2007, Kenneth L. Agee, the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Research Officer, has elected to retire from the Company. Mr. Agee will resign his positions as an officer, director and chairman of the Board of Directors, effective November 19, 2007. Mr. Agee is currently in negotiations with the Company to purchase certain of the research and laboratory facilities. Effective November 19, 2007, Mr. Edward G. Roth has been elected by the Board of Directors as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Roth was previously President and Chief Operating Officer. Effective November 19, 2007, the Board of Directors has elected Mr. Robert B. Rosene, a current director, as the non-executive Chairman of the Board. Link. Chart.

ReneSolar Appoints Cheng Hsien Yeh as Chief Operating Officer

ReneSola Ltd (AIM: SOLA), a leading manufacturer of silicon wafers for the solar PV industry, is pleased to announce that Mr. Cheng Hsien Yeh has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Yeh has extensive experience in the solar industry. Prior to joining ReneSola, he was the general manager of Motech (Suzhou) New Energy Co., Ltd. from 1999 to 2007. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Yeh served as the sales manager of Leoco (Suzhou) Electronics. The Directors believe that Mr. Yeh will make a valuable contribution in improving management efficiency and helping to enhance the Company’s competitiveness. Link. Chart.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

ConsumerPowerline Appoints New CEO

NEW YORK – ConsumerPowerline (www.consumerpowerline.com), a leading strategic energy asset management firm, announced the appointment of Gary D. Fromer to the position of chief executive officer. Fromer will assume leadership responsibilities for the company, including the advancement of its service portfolio and its continuing expansion plans. He takes the reins from the company’s founder, Mike Gordon, who will transition to the role of chief strategy officer and remain a member of ConsumerPowerline’s Board of Directors. Link.

Active Power Appoints Uwe Schrader-Hausmann Vice President of Technical Services

AUSTIN, Texas – Active Power, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACPW), inventor and manufacturer of the most energy-efficient critical power systems in the world, announced the appointment of Uwe Schrader-Hausmann as vice president of Technical Services. With more than 28 years experience in the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) market, Schrader-Hausmann will have global responsibility for all customer facing technical services functions which include applications engineering, project management, project implementation and customer service functions for the business. Link. Chart.

Verenium Files $150 Million Shelf Registration

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., -- Verenium Corporation (Nasdaq: VRNM) announced that it has filed a universal shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the registration and potential issuance of up to $150 million of Verenium securities, which may include common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants, and the registration of 3,000,000 shares of common stock for resale by Syngenta and its affiliates. Upon being declared effective by the SEC, the shelf registration statement will allow the Company to sell the various securities, and Syngenta and its affiliates to sell their shares of common stock, in one or more offerings in the future. Link. Chart.

ConsumerPowerline Appoints New CEO

NEW YORK, NY – ConsumerPowerline (www.consumerpowerline.com), a leading strategic energy asset management firm, announced the appointment of Gary D. Fromer to the position of chief executive officer. Fromer will assume leadership responsibilities for the company, including the advancement of its service portfolio and its continuing expansion plans. He takes the reins from the company’s founder, Mike Gordon, who will transition to the role of chief strategy officer and remain a member of ConsumerPowerline’s Board of Directors. Link.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Green Plains Renewable Energy Announces Private Placement of Its Common Stock

OMAHA, NE -- Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRE) (AMEX: GPRE) announced the completion of a private placement of its common stock. Pursuant to an agreement with a group of accredited investors, Green Plains sold 1.2 million shares of its unregistered, non-brokered common stock at a price of $8.10 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million. Green Plains expects to use proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Link. Chart

Altair Nanotechnologies Announces $7 Million in Federal Funding

RENO, NV -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTI) announced that the recently passed Defense Appropriations Bill signed into law by President Bush on November 12, 2007, provides for $7 million in federal funding related to two of its ongoing advanced research and development projects. This confirms funding, which was prospectively discussed by the company on October 4, 2007. Link. Chart.

Comverge Announces Postponement of Follow-On Stock Offering

EAST HANOVER, N.J., -- Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq: COMV), a leading clean capacity provider through demand response and energy efficiency, announced that it has postponed its follow-on public offering of common stock originally planned for the week of November 12, 2007. The Company cited adverse market conditions as the reason for delaying the offering. Link. Chart.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Range Fuels Appoints Robert E. Fishman to Board of Directors

Palo Alto, CA and Broomfield, CO – Range Fuels, Inc., a company focused on the production of cellulosic ethanol, announced that Robert E. Fishman has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Fishman, who has more than 30 years of experience in managing large-scale power projects, also brings a background in renewable energies, solar technology and geothermal power to Range Fuels and its Board. Link.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Generation Investment Management and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Create International Alliance

MENLO PARK, California, and LONDON, United Kingdom –– Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (“KPCB”) and Generation Investment Management (“Generation”) announced a global collaboration to find, fund and accelerate green business, technology and policy solutions with the greatest potential to help solve the current climate crisis. The partnership will provide funding and global business-building expertise to a range of businesses, both public and private, and to entrepreneurs. As a result of the collaboration, the chairman and co-founder of Generation, former Vice President of the United States Al Gore, will join KPCB as a Partner. KPCB will co-locate their European operations at Generation’s offices in London. John Doerr, Partner at KPCB, will join Generation’s Advisory Board. Link.

Akermin Completes $5 Million Financing Round

ST. LOUIS — Akermin, an innovative biocatalyst technologies company and the exclusive developer of proprietary stabilized enzyme catalyst technology, announces a successful funding round. The company raised $4,955,000 from venture capitalists and other private investors in its Series A Phase II financing round, the first stage of which was completed in March and the second in September 2007. All investors, including Prolog Ventures, OnPoint Technologies, Chrysalix Energy and the St. Louis Arch Angels, were previous Series A investors in Akermin. This latest round brings total funding since inception of the company to just under $8.5 million. Link.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Trina Solar Limited Announces Change of Directors

CHANGZHOU, China, -- Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products, from the production of ingots, wafers and cells, to the assembly of PV modules, founded in 1997, announced that it has appointed Mr. Junfeng Li to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Li's appointment fills the vacancy arisen from Mr. Sven Hansen's resignation from the Board. Link. Chart.

Ultralife Announces $13.5 Million Public Offering

NEWARK, N.Y.--Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULBI) announced the pricing of a limited public offering of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, all of which are being sold by the Company, at $13.50 per share. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the public offering to retire $3.5 million of its existing McDowell Research Convertible Notes, to finance $6.0 million of the acquisition price of Stationary Power Services, Inc., and to repay $1.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our credit facility used to fund the Innovative Solutions Consulting, Inc. acquisition, with the remaining net proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes. Link. Chart.

Conergy AG Appoints Pepyn R. Dinandt as new COO

Hamburg -- The Supervisory Board of Conergy AG has appointed Pepyn R. Dinandt (46) as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Member of the Board of Management. Dinandt will join on 15th November 2007 and will become Dieter Ammer’s deputy. Dieter Ammer will take over as interim Chief Executive Officer on the same day. With this appointment, Conergy gains an experienced, international manager, who is an expert in reorganisations and who has successfully held several Board and senior management positions. On 1st November, the former Schering CFO, Dr. Jörg Spiekerkötter, became Chief Financial Officer of Conergy. Link.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Novomer Raises $6.6 Million in Series A Funding

ITHACA, N.Y. – Novomer Inc., a materials company pioneering a family of high-performance, biodegradable plastics, polymers and other chemicals from renewable substances such as carbon dioxide, announced that it has raised $6.6 million in series A funding. Physic Ventures co-led the financing in partnership with Flagship Ventures. Link.

Dr. Michael Ladisch Joins Mascoma as Chief Technology Officer

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, – Mascoma Corporation, a leader in advanced low-carbon biofuels, announced the acquisition of Celsys BioFuels, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Celsys BioFuels, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, was formed in 2006 to commercialize cellulosic ethanol production technology developed in the Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering at Purdue University. The Celsys technology is based on proprietary pretreatment processes for multiple biomass feedstocks, including corn fiber and distiller grains. The technology was developed by Dr. Michael Ladisch, an internationally known leader in the field of renewable fuels and cellulosic biofuels. He will be taking a two-year leave of absence from Purdue University to join Mascoma as the company’s Chief Technology Officer. Link.

Vaperma closes C$ 21.5 million Financing Round

Québec City, Québec, Canada – Vaperma Inc., a leading provider of advanced gas separation solutions aimed at reducing energy costs and carbon footprint, announced it has received Can$ 21.5 million in a second financing round. The funding is led by Low Carbon Accelerator Limited (LCA), a Guernsey-based investment company created to invest in a portfolio of fast-growing low carbon businesses, with participation by Volvo Technology Transfer Corporation (Volvo) and all institutional Vaperma investors - Emerald Technology Ventures, BDC Capital and Fonds d’investissement en développement durable (FIDD). Link.

Change at the Top for Conergy AG

Hamburg -- Conergy, Europe’s largest solar power company will have a new Chief Executive Officer and is strengthening its capital with financial inflows of EUR 100 million. The company’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hans-Martin Rüter, will resign following the publication of the results for the first nine months (12th November 2007); Dieter Ammer, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, will become interim Chief Executive. Ammer, who, together with Rüter, founded Conergy nine years ago, will aim to continue the successful growth strategy, with a clear focus on profit and the core businesses. He will be supported by the new CFO, Dr. Jörg Spiekerkötter, a former Board Member of a DAX 30 company with experience of large companies, who joined the company on 1st November. Link.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

James Dauwalter Appointed Chairman of US BioEnergy

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov 06, 2007 -- US BioEnergy Corporation (NASDAQ:USBE), a leading ethanol producer in the United States, announced actions designed to enhance the independence of the company's board of directors. James E. Dauwalter has been elected non-executive chairman of the board of directors. Gordon W. Ommen will continue as the company's CEO and president. "We believe these actions will allow Gordon to focus all of his time and attention on completing our plants under construction, improving our operations and evaluating strategic opportunities while providing independent leadership at the board level," said Dauwalter. Link. Chart.

Shell And Codexis Expand Collaboration To Explore New Super Enzymes

London, UK and Redwood City, CA - The development of sustainable biofuel took a step forward as Royal Dutch Shell plc expanded its collaboration with Codexis Inc. to develop new super enzymes to convert biomass to fuel. The new agreement covers five years of research collaboration and includes Shell making an equity investment in Codexis and taking a seat on the company’s board. Research will focus on adapting enzymes to improve the conversion of a range of raw materials into high-performance fuels. It will assist Shell in developing the next generation of biofuels as it explores a number of non-food bio materials, new conversion processes and alternative fuel products. Link.

Monday, November 5, 2007

PG&E and Ausra Announce 177 Megawatt Solar Thermal Power Agreement

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced that it has entered into a 177 megawatt solar thermal power purchasing agreement with Ausra Inc. The project, to be located in central California, is being developed by Ausra. "Today's agreement between PG&E and Ausra highlights how clean energy will create jobs in California while delivering a reliable source of renewable energy," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I'm pleased to see California companies rising to the challenge of AB 32, California's historic initiative to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Clearly, California continues to lead the nation in clean energy research, development and generation." Link.

Friday, November 2, 2007

Ener1 Announces Management Changes

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., -- Ener1, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ENEI) announced a number of management and organizational changes. Link. Chart.

Nalco CEO William H. Joyce Announces Retirement

NAPERVILLE, Ill., -- Nalco Holding Company (NYSE:NLC) announced that Dr. William H. Joyce, 71, has stated his intention to retire as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on December 30, 2007. Dr. Joyce has agreed to assist with the succession and transition process through March 31, 2008. A Board committee of independent directors has been formed to select his successor and expects to complete its process in the coming months. Link. Chart.

Khosla Ventures and BIOeCON form KiOR

Hoevelaken -- Khosla Ventures and BIOeCON announce the formation of their joint venture KiOR Inc. Khosla Ventures, will provide the Series A funding, whereas BIOeCON will bring its knowledge and intellectual property for the ‘Biomass Catalytic Cracking Process' (BCC). KiOR Inc. will focus on the further development and commercialization of the BCC technology as well as prepare for raising significantly more capital in the next two to three years. Link.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Akeena Solar Announces $26.1 Million Private Placement

LOS GATOS, Calif.--Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, announced it has entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited, institutional investors, to raise approximately $26.1 million through the issuance of 3,728,572 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 745,716 shares of common stock. The warrants are exercisable beginning six months after the closing, with a term of 60 months and an exercise price of $10.08 per share, and are subject to certain anti-dilution provisions. Link. Chart.

Serious Materials Receives $50 Million in Funding

SUNNYVALE, CA — Serious Materials announced that it has closed $50 million in additional investment, led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Foundation Capital, along with Rustic Canyon Partners. Serious Materials develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that considerably reduce the impact of the 'built environment' on the climate. Link.