Cleantech Corner

U.S.-based Danotek Motion Technologies has received a combined $13.2 million from four of the world’s leading renewable energy venture capital firms – GE Energy Financial Services, CMEA Capital, Khosla Ventures and Energy Capital Management.

The French financial management firm Demeter Partners has closed the cleantech-focused Demeter 2 fund at EUR 203 million ($292 million).

SJF Ventures, a VC firm focusing on the cleantech and IT sectors, has led a $2.75 million Series A financing in FieldView Solutions, a provider software that improves data center energy efficiency. 

Arizona-based TPI Composites, Inc., a leading supplier of wind turbine blades, has completed a Series B-1 funding transaction that raised $26 million in growth capital.

Large-format lithium-ion battery maker Ener1, Inc. has received $20 million in fresh investment capital from ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese commercial trading giant with deep ties in the automotive, utility and renewable energy industries.

GE Energy Financial Services and Vancouver-based Plutonic Power Corporation have paid CAD $52.2 million ($48.9 million) to the financially troubled EarthFirst Canada Inc for the 300-megawatt Dokie Wind Project in British Columbia.

United Technologies Corp. (UTC) has agreed to acquire a 49.5% stake in Clipper Windpower Plc, a California-based wind turbine manufacturer that trades on the AIM London Stock Exchange.

California-based home solar provider SunRun has received an additional commitment of tax equity from a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. The company says the funding is part of the financing needed to develop $90 million in residential solar installations in 2010.

Swiss carbon offset player Pure Klimaschutz has received a capital injection CHF 1.3 million ($1.25 million) following a successful IPO on the Berne Stock Exchange.

Silver Spring Networks has closed a $100 million preferred equity round led by institutional investors, including existing investors Google Ventures, Foundation Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Northgate Capital.