CleanTech Industry Guide
SACC and Cleantech
The Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce proudly serve cleantech companies nationwide and across some 18 Regional U.S. Chambers. Our efforts are focused on finding, creating and delivering opportunity for market entry or partnering in the U.S. and Swedish markets. Our national cleantech programs include:
Cleantech Industry Group – A newly formed interregional committee, led by SACC-USA Board Member Lydia LaFerla, working to locate opportunities for collaboration within the cleantech sector. Follow the link to go the cleantech Opportunity Board, a mapping of strategic partners in the U.S. The strategic partnering opportunities are updated continuously.
Boston cleantech Venture Days - A yearly conference hosted by SACC New England bringing ventures and venture capital in cleantech together. Read about the last conference >>>
U.S. Market Entry Course at George Washington University – Students at the George Washington University in Washington D.C. work with 4 Swedish cleantech companies to develop tailor made U.S. market entry plans. The Course is a unique and highly qualitative collaboration between academia and business. Want to join? Click here
Business Accelerator Program’s – The Business Accelerator Program’s, BAP, purpose is to allow focus on one region, in one industry during a limited amount of time. This enables a strategic work for the industry and its trade opportunities between the U.S. and Sweden. The 2010-2011 years BAP with the Western Part of Sweden, Business Region Göteborg and Ecoex, was completed in the end of 2011. Read more here >>>
Cleantech Industry Snapshot
The “cleantech” industry has been in the spotlight of the media, political leaders, and investors in recent years—and with good reason. Cleantech encompasses businesses in diverse fields that promote efficient and environmentally sustainable innovations. Not only do clean technology innovations have the potential to revolutionize the global economy and environment, they have also been a source of profound economic growth in the past decade. Industry research firm Clean Edge has been charting the rise of cleantech business, observing its dramatic expansion. In the past ten years, solar photovoltaics and wind power have seen compound annual growth rates of 39.8% and 31.2%, respectively. Many other cleantech areas have also experienced this type of robust growth. Aided by the slow but steady increase of public incentive programs in key markets, and by falling costs as technologies mature, cleantech business are well positioned for strong growth in coming years.
Quick Facts about Cleantech
- While in 2001, Cleantech companies received just 1.2% of U.S.-based venture capital investments, in 2010 that number was 23.2%
- Although the U.S. federal government has hesitated to implement new environmental laws, many states have established their own regulations and incentives, creating significant potential for savvy businesses who understand the advantages of different state and regional markets.
- Just two years ago, only 10 U.S. states had adopted the latest home and commercial energy standards; today 29 have them, with more to follow.
- The global clean energy market is projected to nearly double to almost $350 billion in 2020
Sources: Clean Edge, Inc., 2011; ACEEE, 2011
Cleantech Survival Guide
Whether you are looking for information on regulations and incentive programs benefiting the Cleantech businesses, industry groups, research, event listings, or current news regarding clean technology, these resources will help you make your way in the world of Cleantech.
http://www.swedishamericangreenalliance.org/ - The SAGA blog is the fruit of Swedish-American Cleantech industry success stories.
http://www.iisd.org/ -Conducts sustainability research for use by governments, businesses, and civil society. Includes access to networks for trade and entrepreneurship
http://cleanedge.com/ – Research firm monitoring the cleantech industry; provide a wealth of data, analysis, and regarding clean technology.
http://www.altenerg.com/ -North American magazine providing coverage and commentary on developments in alternative energy
http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/ -Financial news, strategy papers, and a magazine on the market and science of renewables
http://www.acore.org/ – free publications & stats from the American Council on Renewable Energy; includes interactive map of clean tech laws and initiatives for all 50 states: http://www.acore.org/publications/50states
http://www.nacleanenergy.com/ – Articles on how to use and work with clean energy products, as well as news on current developments and cleantech events.
http://www.pewclimate.org/states-regions Further state-by state information on environmental programs, laws, and initiatives. The website also contains a number of other publications and articles on environmental topics as well.
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/clean_economy.aspx – this “database…aims to explore the size, growth, and geography of the “clean” or green economy through the production of detailed data on U.S. establishments and workers engaged in producing goods and services that benefit the environment…”
