Money Galore for Clean Tech

Now is the time to seek venture capital for clean tech. So far in 2007, U.S. venture capital firms have invested $2.6 billion in clean technology, a record amount. That's a 46 percent jump compared to the $1.8 billion invested in 2006, and we haven't even finished the year.

Technologies attracting the largest wads of cash include those that conserve energy and resources, protect the environment or eliminate waste. California companies (read: Silicon Valley) are in the lead for garnering VC money, with Massachusetts and Texas trailing behind.

Big media moves like Google announcing a major clean tech initiative and former vice president Al Gore joining a well-known venture capital firm are signs that this is a movement that's just barely begun and is sure to continue growing rapidly.