Given the size of the prize and technical complexity of producing value from efficiency reserves, a new breed of energy development comparable to the oil and gas industry has begun to take shape.
Flextronics is putting the finishing touches on a dedicated facility at its Milpitas, Calif. headquarters to make panels for SunPower, which is known for producing among the highest efficiency solar panels.
In addition, Panasonic continues its commitment to the environment by improving the panel luminance efficiency, as well as producing mercury and lead free panels.
Other cleantech businesses that continue to look like good investments to venture capitalists include those producing products or software related to energy efficiency and those making improvements to existing businesses or products (making a better LED lighting system, for example).
It will be the first on the market that reaches that level of efficiency and functions across a normal range of temperatures and is capable of consistently producing the same amount of warm white colored light as comparable fluorescent tubes.