As Green Technology Grows, So Does Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley Rebounds, Led by Green Technology

Laurie J. Flynn, The New York Times, January 29, 2007

After five years of job losses, Silicon Valley is hiring again. The turnaround coincides with a huge increase of investment in the emerging category of clean environment technology. ...

In Silicon Valley, investment in clean technology — from alternative energy products, like solar panels and hybrid cars, to the use of nanotechnology to solve environmental problems — went from $34 million in the first quarter of 2006 to $290 million in the third quarter, according to an annual report released Sunday by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, a research organization in San Jose, Calif. ...

The region first started to show a reversal in late 2005, said Stephen Levy, an economist with the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy, a trend he attributed to an increase in worldwide demand for technology products. “Silicon Valley sells more to international markets than any other region, so we can grow as the international market grows, even if the U.S. market isn’t growing.”

It is natural for photovoltaic companies to grow in the home of silicon. The high electronic content of battery powered cars, like Phoenix Motors and Tesla Motors provides an incentive for these companies to locate there.  But this isn't the only place for green technology which is distributed pretty evenly across the country.

Comments

[David Shvartsman]

Jim,

Silicon Valley certainly has been high on "clean tech" the past year or two. It's definitely been one of the main things (along with Web 2.0) VCs have been excited about lately.

You might have seen this very interesting article from Business 2.0 magazine last fall on the role Silicon Valley has taken in shaping the solar industry. I'll include a link for anyone who'd like to check it out.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/26/magazines/business2/solar_siliconvalley.biz2/index.htm?postversion=2006102612

Cheers,
David

[Mark C R (Chemist) UK]

It doesn't suprise me in the slightest.

Since I expect increased demand for "intelligent" and integrated consumer goods in future.

In electronics probably - modular - in nature also...

[Jimmi]

Guy's.. please read my new comment in the "Zap" post... something very special just happened!!! I appologize for repeating this comment on the latest posts but I really think this is some very important news!!!

Enjoy

[CarGreak]

I am talking about General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Group. These domestic car makers of rocker arms recently joined the United States Climate Action Partnership which is one among the coalition that works on the reduction of greenhouse gases on the roads of the US to prevent global warming. This alliance of big business and firms as well as environmental groups told the US President George W. Bush that the country needs mandatory emission restrictions to decrease the emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases that cause environmental problems. I just wish that the automakers together with the government would really continue with their eco-program and not just for the moment that issues on environment protection is still hot. Anyway, the environment is everybody’s business which means that we also have roles to play in protecting the environment.

[Rocker Arms]

nice article