Earth2Tech Week in Review

It was a topsy-turvy week as President Bush said we should work to clean up coal technology just as his Energy Secretary announced the DOE will be pulling back from their FutureGen project. The private sector made up for the government’s cold feet with a number of large investments this week and some exciting firsts in the cleantech world. So, before you grab a bowl of nachos and sit down to watch the Super Bowl, grab your investment portfolio and check out this week’s news.

Pictures of Tesla’s First Production Roadster: I headed to the Tesla Motors headquarters in San Carlos, Calif. to watch the delivery of the electric car maker’s first production vehicle for their first customer, Tesla Chairman Elon Musk.

5 Questions for Vinod Khosla: Katie sat down with cleantech investment guru Vinod Khosla on the GigaOM Show to discuss careful early stage investment, self-promotion, and hybrid “toys.” Also check out Khosla’s investment in solid state lighting startup SJS Technology this week.

Venture Giant Sequoia Capital Aiming for Perfect, Cautious Record: As one of the oldest kids on the venture capital block, Sequoia Capital says they have been more cautious than their green-minded VC friends but that could be fine as some of their investments move towards exits.

Altairnano Onboard With Navy: Altair Nanotechnologies is going out to sea with the U.S. Navy and a $2.5 million contract to build a seaworthy battery system on the megawatt scale.

Dark Clouds on Solar Thermal Horizon: I attended this week’s Concentrated Solar Thermal U.S. Summit where everyone was talking about Solel’s recent $105 million round of funding. But there was also serious talk of the two biggest limiting factors of solar thermal – the uncertain future of the 30 percent investment tax credit and the lack of transmission lines.