The Daily Sprout

Solar Subsidy Expiry Fueling Solar Boom: The expiration of the investment tax credit is fueling a record number of solar projects looking to get in before the federal funds are gone. With a last-minute, one-year extension likely, we might see a similar scenario again next year – WSJ’s Environmental Capital.

Athenix Raises $10M for Biofuel Processes: Athenix develops and licenses genes and enzymes that can be used in cellulosic biofuel production and has raised $10 million in “series S” funding from Hunt Ventures, Intersouth Partners and Polaris Venture Partners – PEHub via VentureBeat.

GE Puts $50M into Masdar Cleantech Fund: As part of a multi-billion joint venture with Mubadala, the investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s government, GE is putting $50 million into Masdar’s second cleantech fund and will establish a clean energy technology center in Masdar City – Cleantech Group.

DuPont to Build Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant: DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, a joint venture between Dupont and Genecor, is working with the University of Tennessee to build a 25,000 gallon per year pilot-scale biorefinery and R&D facility for cellulosic ethanol in Vonore, Tenn. that is planned to be operable by December 2009 – Green Car Congress.

“How to Fix a Broken Venture Capital Model”: Lux Research president Matthew Nordan has some ideas for investors fretting over a lack of cleantech exits. The answer is time and money – $100+ and over a decade of development. Check the video interview (embedded below) – EETimes.

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