The Economics of Green Technology

One of the mantras of the green crowd for the last several years has been that green technology, the science of protecting the environment, will mean more high-paying jobs for Americans. The thought is that because these are high-tech industries requiring a well-educated workforce, a country with a strong educational infrastructure, such as the United States, will have a strong advantage over developing countries which can provide cheap labor, but not necessarily highly educated workers. In other words, the story goes, protecting the environment and fighting against manmade greenhouse gases will strengthen America's economy and put more Americans back to work at good jobs. How does this stack up against reality? Let's check the facts.

Strong Clean Technology Growth Seen in Early 2010

Cleantech Group and well-known audit firm, Deloitte, today released a joint report on venture capital investments in the green technology sector. According to the report, the first quarter of 2010 saw investments of $1.9 billion in North America, Europe, China and India. That figure represents 29% growth over the previous quarter and a staggering 83% increase over the first quarter of 2009. That growth, impressive in the best of times, comes during a very significant economic downturn not just in the United States but globally.

Deloitte Partner Says Government Incentives Helped Grow Industry

The president of Cleantech Group, Sheeraz Haji noted that the first quarter of 2010 represents "the strongest start to a year we have ever recorded." Scott Smith, a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, credited the economic stimulus program with at least some of the credit for the growth. "Major utilities are focusing on increasing direct investment in alternative energy generation and smart grid projects due to favorable government incentives and improved market conditions as they work to reduce their carbon exposure and comply with renewable portfolio standards," he said is a press statement released jointly by the two firms today.

U.S. Leads the Way in Clean Tech Venture Investment

OK, investment in green technology is growing, but does the United States really have the advantage? Looking at a break down green tech investment by region, we see the United States has the leading share, and not just by a little bit. Fully 81% of green tech venture capital investment took place in the United States with Europe (including Israel) accounting for second place with 14%, China with just 4% and India with 1% of the total. That is strong evidence that American companies are indeed taking the lead in the development of green technology.

LED Lighting to Become Green Lighting Standard

The top three green tech sectors were transportation, solar, and energy efficiency. Notably, the top three biggest deals in energy efficiency were all in LED lighting. LED lighting is highly energy efficient, compact, durable and long-lasting, and does not carry the mercury pollution issues that are associated with compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. LED lighting need only come down a bit in price to become the new standard in environmentally friendly light bulbs.

Green Crowd Claims Supported by Cleantech/ Deloitte Report

The data suggests, then, that perhaps the green crowd is right. America is poised to lead the green tech revolution. Along with that leadership position will come not only a strong boost to the economy and more high-paying jobs in America, but also the added benefits of a cleaner, healthier environment in the United States and around the world as we export our green technology to other countries.

Data Source: Record Number of Clean Technology Deals in 1Q 2010 Finds Cleantech Group and Deloitte. Cleantech Group & Deloitte. March 31, 2010. Retrieved from www.prnmedia.com/en/jsp/myPRNJ.jsp?profileid=1229643&resourceid=4219973 on March 31, 2010.