Renewable energy technologies can not only keep dollars in this country, but also create significant regional benefits through economic development.

If you are a businessman or entrepreneur keen on taking a dip into cleantech or renewable energy, it might be worth your time to do a month's research into the wode spectrum of opportunities that these fields offer rather than jump into the first opportunity you come across (which almost always will happen to be solar or wind power plants!) Well, I say this because most people immediately think of solar energy when they think of renewable energy businesses. But solar may or may not be the best option for you. As this post on renewable energy business opportunities says: " Is solar PV the best business opportunity for you? The short answer is: It depends on who you are/what your business is, and what you want to be. The detailed answer follows. First, it is easy to determine if solar PV is NOT for you. Solar PV is NOT for you if: * You do not have access to considerable capital (i.e. in excess of 20 crores), AND/OR * You do not wish to operate in a long-term, fixed-return industry. Similarly, it is also easy to determine if solar PV IS for you if all the following criteria are fulfilled: * You are keen on entering the power industry, AND * Your company DNA is compatible with operating in a utility service industry such as power, AND * If your group has access to (significant amount of) cheap capital, AND * If your business group has a background that increases your chances of getting a license for solar PV under the NVVN scheme So, if you fall into one of the two above, the answer is fairly simple. " In most countries, solar power is indeed synonymous with feed in tariffs and long power purchase agreements, not exactly the kind of stuff you would love if you were an innovator. But the author of the post quoted above possibly should qualify his words in that these are applicable only for solar PV power plants...there are a number of other opportunities along the solar PV value chain that can do with a significant amount of innovation - right from polysilicon making to making wafers to making high-efficiency solar cells. Anyway, the point indeed is that renewable energy is not just solar energy and there's heck a lot of other opportunities around - in manufacturing, in trading and in services, and for small businesses to huge conglomerates. What is your take on the range of renewable energy opportunities? Are there any niche/unique opportunities that you are aware of/have come across? Here is a link that might be useful: Renewable Energy Opportunities

Here is the link Here is a link that might be useful: Missouri Renewable Energy

He turned me down - don't know whether it was the lazy cur - or the female of the household. ole joyful - with a tear in the eye, just now