Has affordable solar energy without government subsidies finally arrived?
ZenithSolar, a solar energy tech company, has launched a new solar system on Kibbutz Yavne in Israel that achieves 72% solar efficiency, provides both hot water and electricity and doesn’t require the need of subsidies.
SolarEdge recently secured $25 million in VC funding that it will use to maintain its lead in the PV optimizer market despite steep competition from companies within Israel and abroad.
Unaffected by a global decrease in venture capital investments in cleantech, Israeli solar energy company SolarEdge has successfully raised $25 million in a Series C round from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Opus Capital, Genesis Partners and several other investors.
SolarEdge, which has created “intelligent panels” that work together with a central Power Box to enable the production of up to 25% more energy, plans to use the funding to increase its production capacity and market growth.
Volkswagon Group, the world’s third largest car manufacturer is looking to Israel for cutting-edge technologies for its cars. Here’s a look at four technologies Volkswagon should consider. Image via Mike Babcock.
Ynet is reporting that the Volkswagon Group, made up of SEAT, Skoda and Lamborghini and others, has hired an Israeli company founded by former minister Yossi Beilin to assist it in its search for Israeli tech companies to work with.
According to the article, Volkswagon, which is the third largest car manufacturer in the world after General Motors and Toyota, is presumably looking at Israeli companies that can help it develop an electric car: “One of the areas in which the technology industries in Israel could aid The Volkswagen Group is in developing the electric car. On Tuesday, Volkswagen announced plans to launch sites around the world to develop electric cars, at an investment of five billion euro.”
Here’s four Israeli technologies that can help Volkswagon with its electric car and other green efforts: continue reading…
Israel’s TaKaDu and SolarEdge have developed solutions in the water and solar fields that make current technologies more efficient.
Israel’s TaKaDu and SolarEdge have been named Red Herring Europe 100 winners for 2010. The two cleantech companies are among eight Israeli startups to have made the list which considered financial performance, technology innovation and execution of strategy and other criteria.
Here’s a closer look at both companies:
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Disruptor: In the past week SolarEdge has announced partnerships to distribute its technology across Australia and Europe and has been named a Red Herring 100 Winner.
Known for its high costs and lagging efficiency, the solar energy field has been one to watch for many but one to take advantage of for very few. New innovations and incentives in the field however, reported on CNET, offer promise for many solar companies looking to establish themselves. One company that seems to have had little difficulty establishing itself is SolarEdge, a solar power harvesting solution provider based in Israel.
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Pythagoras Solar’s new photovoltaic glass unit can lower the cost of energy in commercial buildings and find strong markets in China and India.
Israel’s Pythagoras Solar recently unveiled its new photovoltaic glass unit. The clear glass panes that can be used as windows, curtain walls or skylights double as solar panels and are intended to change the way commercial buildings are built.
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Emefcy technology uses bacteria that can produce electricity from wastewater, such as this lagoon. Photo courtesy of Emefcy
Globes is reporting that Israeli sewage technology company Emefcy has raised $5 million for a commercial pilot. Founded in 2007 Eytan Levy and Ronen Shechter, Emefcy‘s main product, the MEGAWATTER system aids the management of wastewater by reducing energy consumption by applying microbial fuel cells. The cells feed on the wastewater and can produce electricity or hydrogen. continue reading…
During the week of April 25, 2010, Google acquired its first Israeli company, LabPixies, a widget publisher. Better Place started to make inroads in China and Al Gore-backed GreenRoad continued to receive attention abroad. For these stories and more, see this week’s 10 Israel-related headlines below.
Cleantech
1. Better Place makes inroads in China
2. Israel to share agricultural know-how with struggling African farmers
3. Israel’s Al Gore-Funded GreenRoad Seeks to Cut Emissions, Bills
Investment
4. Google acquires Widgets powerhouse Labpixies
5. Sapiens Acquires Harcase, a P&C Insurance Software Provider
Information Technology
6. MiniFrame Introduces New SoftXpand Product Suite to Address Multiple Vertical Markets
7. Clouds helping start-ups grow, but lack enterprise capability, investors say
8. Magic Software Looks to the Clouds
Miscellaneous
9. Israel, U.S. ink open skies pact
During the week of April 18, 2010, Wibiya announced that it raised $2 million for its customizable web-based toolbars. Forbes magazine named Israel’s Shari Arison, founder of Miya, one of the world’s greenest billionaires and Testuff released a Mac version of its test management software. For these stories and more, see this week’s 11 Israel-related headlines below.
Cleantech
1. 10 reasons Israel is a cleantech leader
2. Israeli researchers develop small, lightweight hydrogen storage tech
3. Israel’s greenest billionaire
4. Israel’s TaKaDu Goes After the Other Grid: Water
Investment and Economy
5. ‘The idea was to use the crisis to strengthen the economy’
6. Trade pact with Israel to give foothold in West Asia
7. Wibiya Raises $2 Million For Customizable Web-Based Toolbars
Information Technology
8. Testuff Launches a Mac Version of its On-Demand Test Management Service
9. Trusteer detects new Zeus (Zbot) password stealing Trojan
Miscellaneous
10. TAU professor tips off US over security flaw in e-passports
During the week of April 11, 2010, Arava Power announced a major investment plan for 15 Israeli solar fields. Israeli start-ups are still facing a hard time raising funds in Israel and Israeli researchers have developed a way to secure online data using laser technology. For these stories and more, check below for this week’s headlines.
Cleantech
1. Charged Environment
2. Arava Power Will Invest $535 Million in 15 Israeli Solar Fields
Investment
3. Bitesize Friday – Israeli Funding Recap
4. Israel’s Infinity expanding China investment fund
5. Israeli start-ups face funding crunch at home, turn to US and European investors
Information Technology
6. Total security for online data
7. Clarizen Growing SaaS Work, Project Management Channel
8. WeFi for Android Gets Enhanced Maps and Location Support
Miscellaneous
9. Israeli Team Snags Top Robotics Award for Second Consecutive Year
