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April 27, 2009

Let’s Stop Bailing Out on Alternative Energy

Stuart Pearlman

Government Support Needed to Keep Energy-Tech Alive

In spite of this downward trend in energy-tech investments, we are seeing a great deal of new energy technologies penetrating the marketplace or under development—from more efficient photovoltaic and thermal solar panels and production methods to direct-drive wind turbines that require less maintenance, large-capacity energy-storage systems, and services that can time-shift energy availability.

These and other innovations need more support—from customers who will begin to seriously deploy and support these technologies and from investors who will stay the course when energy costs periodically (but temporarily) decline. In the short term, projected alternative energy investment returns may look poor, but the longer-term advantages are likely around the corner of the next economic upturn.

What should give us all some hope about the future of alternative energy is the installation of new, progressive political administrations in Washington and many state capitals. While the immediate focus is understandably on giving national and local economies a boost, stopping the Wall Street and Main Street meltdown, creating or saving jobs, and restoring confidence in American businesses and investments, better energy policy can help solve many of our most pressing problems.

Steadfast policy and measurable results are the keys to keeping energy-tech innovation and investment flowing. That, in turn, can help create the permanent change in attitudes toward alternative and renewable energy.

--Stuart Pearlman provides strategic communications and investor relations services to energy technology and venture capital firms. His web site is www.PearlmanPR.com.