Alternative Energy Continues To Attract PE

The opportunities for PE firms in alternative energy were further underlined on January 16, when US private equity firm Starwood Capital acquired a majority stake in Nautilus Solar Energy, a rapidly growing developer and operator of solar power equipment in the US. Though full terms have not been disclosed, Starwood has confirmed that it has committed US$50mn to Nautilus' project pipeline, which the latter claims can generate 50 Megawatts (MW) in the next two years. The move is a welcome sign that PE money can still find it's way in to the industry, especially as CFW has predicted that many green-tech companies, notably start ups, would increasingly struggle to find funding through 2009, including some traditional sources such as venture capital.

To read the full article, please choose one of the following options: