Ernst&Young reports record investments in Cleantech companies

Global investment in cleantech companies reaches record US$4.6 billion
in the first three quarters of 2008

Venture capital investment in cleantech companies reached a record
US$4.6 billion in the first three quarters of 2008, according to Ernst
& Young's analysis of activity in the United States, Europe, China and
Israel based on data from Dow Jones VentureSource. This is an increase
of 82% compared with the same period last year and represents 13% of
all venture capital investment in these geographies.

"Global venture capital investment in cleantech accelerated in 2008 as
a number of companies, particularly in the solar and wind market,
entered the capital intensive stage of commercializing new
technologies. This increase in activity has been stimulated by a
strengthening corporate commitment to tackling climate change," said
Gil Forer, Ernst & Young's Global Director of Cleantech, IPO and
Venture Capital Initiatives.