A resilient U.S. greentech mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market saw 248 greentech mergers, acquisitions and capital raises in 2009 for a reported total of $9.5 billion, falling a respective 14% and 4% from 2008, according to a new report from Peachtree Green Advisors. Distribution, storage and efficiency led the way, with 90 transactions.
The overall declines in activity were more than offset by generous amounts of funding from the Department of Energy (DOE), courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the report adds.
While Argonaut Private Equity's $198 million investment in Solyndra was the largest private raise of the year, the DOE trumped that figure with numerous investments such as loan guarantees of $528 million.
In 2010 and beyond, the company will monitor whether venture capitalists step up when DOE funding runs out, and whether large utilities and Fortune 500 companies continue funding programs initially financed by the DOE.
The complete report is available here.
SOURCE: Peachtree Green Advisors
