More Breakthrough

This article by Sunil Paul is really good. He makes solid arguments for why clean tech is fundamentally different from the IT Revolution and development of the biomedical industry. Because of these differences, the development of the industry will depend on financial and policy support from the government.

Cleantech is different. There is no large, well-established industry whose advocacy work we can depend on. The rules change often and vary from region to region. The incumbents in fossil fuel industries don't just own the customers, they have decades of experience in using government to bludgeon their competitors. Every successful energy company -- renewable or not -- relies on government engagement and support to survive and grow. Wind, solar, geothermal, combined heat and power, and energy efficiency are all industries built on the back of government regulation, tax code, or procurement. The point is this: if you want to win the battle to build a massive company in this marketplace you must understand that government sets the landscape that makes it possible.