Joel Makower, co-founder of cleantech research firm Clean Edge Inc. and author of the Two Steps Forward blog, is hoping that interest in smart grids, worries about peak oil and concern over the world’s growing water crisis will draw investors, academics and corporate executives to the second annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on February 1 and 2.

Given the success of the Cleantech Venture Forum events run by the Cleantech Venture Network, and given the growing interest in the cleantech space, there appears to be plenty of room for competition. “Global investment in renewable energy alone set a new record of $30 billion in 2004,” according to a press release for the event. “And with solar power, wind power and fuel cells poised to hit double-digit growth rates again this year, clean technologies are ready for prime time.”

Speakers include Don Paul, chief technology officer for Chevron Corp., Sharp solar VP Ron Kenedi, and Bill Reilly, former director with the Environmental Protection Agency.

As discussed last week, I wrote a Clean Break column on a Nova Scotia-based company called Advanced Glazings that has developed a honeycombed-structured glaze for windows, dubbed Solera, that both insulates and diffuses direct sunlight. The column appears in today’s Toronto Star.

A major project for Advanced Glazings was the installation of its Solera product at a Cape Breton hockey arena, where sunlight is generally difficult to manage because of its impact on ice quality and building temperature. I encourage anyone interested in green buildings to read this article. In my view, Advanced Glazings has a very interesting and innovative product that would be a perfect fit for schools, hospitals, office buildings, retail stores, greenhouses, athletic facilities (see picture above)… you name it. The company was one of a handful of Canadian ventures that presented at the recent Cleantech Venture Forum in Washington, D.C., where founder and president Douglas Milburn was trying to raise a round of financing. Attention investors: He’s still looking.

As discussed last week, I wrote a Clean Break column on a Nova Scotia-based company called Advanced Glazings that has developed a honeycombed-structured glaze for windows, dubbed Solera, that both insulates and diffuses direct sunlight. The column appears in today’s Toronto Star.

A major project for Advanced Glazings was the installation of its Solera product at a Cape Breton hockey arena, where sunlight is generally difficult to manage because of its impact on ice quality and building temperature. I encourage anyone interested in green buildings to read this article. In my view, Advanced Glazings has a very interesting and innovative product that would be a perfect fit for schools, hospitals, office buildings, retail stores, greenhouses, athletic facilities (see picture above)… you name it. The company was one of a handful of Canadian ventures that presented at the recent Cleantech Venture Forum in Washington, D.C., where founder and president Douglas Milburn was trying to raise a round of financing. Attention investors: He’s still looking.