Indeed, taken as a whole, investment numbers in 2011 present "some surprising signals of real strength".
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the sector more than doubled to a record of $41.24bn, for deals with values disclosed, demonstrating "incredible interest by global corporations", he says.
Venture capitalists continued to fund cleantech companies, putting nearly $9bn into 713 deals, with the solar industry maintaining its position atop the dollar-value leader board.
