Cleantech Stocks to Watch

Clean tech–short for clean technology–is one of the most important sectors not just on the tech side of things, but globally and environmentally.
By definition, clean tech refers to products and services that reduce waste and use as few non-renewable resources as possible. In other words, the sector generally includes clean energy, environmental, and sustainable green products and services.
As such, the Canadian clean tech sector is poised for massive transition, thanks to the Canadian government’s federal budget plans to spend $2.2 billion in the industry.

With that in mind, the Investing News Network (INN)  profiles here clean tech stocks with varying products and services with market caps of less than $500 million for investors to consider for their portfolios. The companies are listed in alphabetical order.
Here’s a closer look at those clean tech stocks.

Alterra Power (TSX:AXY)

Market cap: $275.21 million 
Formed in 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Alterra Power’s focus is in renewable power generation and develops geothermal, hydroelectric, wind and solar energy projects. Alterra’s assets are located across North America, South America, Europe and even the Arctic–from Texas, to British Columbia to Italy and Iceland–the company’s portfolio is nothing short of vast.
On that note, 2017 is shaping up to be a solid year for the company, particularly with the acquisition of the 320 MW Boswell Springs Wind Project in April. That said, Alterra expects the project to reach commercial production by 2020.
Prior to that, Alterra released its financial and operating results for 2016 at the end of February highlighting, an increase in consolidated revenue by 5 percent to $60.8 million, while net interest revenue increased 12 percent to reach $80.1 million.  As noted by the release, the acquisitions of the Shannon and Jimmie Creek projects were instrumental in the company’s increase.

Carmanah Technologies (TSX:CMH)

Market cap: $116.12 million
Ever since 1996, Carmanah Technologies has been in the business of designing, developing, and distributing products with a primary focus on energy optimized LED solutions in infrastructure.
As noted on its website, Carmanah’s business is involved in three segments: Signals, illumination and power. First, the signal section encompasses its Airfield Ground Lighting, Aviation Obstruction, Offshore Wind, Marine and Traffic sectors. The illumination provides solar-powered LED outdoor lights, while the power section provides to the off-grid vertical.
In early April, the company announced it had completed the sale of an on-grid power business for $2 million. Other highlights of the release included Carmanah’s subsidiary, Carmanah Solar Power, will maintain responsibility for four solar power construction portfolios with an expected completion date before the end of 2017.

dynaCERT (TSXV:DYA)

Market cap: $248.39 million
Next on our clean tech stocks list is dynaCERT is focused in green energy specializing in bringing Carbon Emission Reduction Technologies to the forefront.
More specifically, dynaCERT’s HydraGen^TM product is sold in North America–as well as other parts of the world–for on-road applications, which has been road-tested on over 20 million miles. According to the company website, HydraGen^TM is able to reduce emissions, increase torque and improve engine oil quality.
In mid-April, the company announced it had received CE certification with respect to its HydraGen^TM technology. As noted in the press release, the HG1, HG2 and HG3 models will all carry the CE mark for shipments to clients in Europe.

EEStor (TSXV:ESU)

Market cap: $64.53 million
Initially Feel Good Cars, EEStor was founded in the latter half of 2000.
At the time, the company developed the ZENN LSV (low-speed vehicle), and began marketing the product to the US in 2006 and sold more than 600 vehicles across Canada and the US. That said, the ZE?NN LSV ceased production in April 2010.
Now, as EEStor, the company provides electrical energy storage, and alleges that its electrical energy storage unit (EESU) stores more energy than lithium-ion batteries, while being lower priced than lead-acid batteries.
Much like the companies listed above, 2017 is shaping up to be a busy one for EEStor. In early April, the company announced a proposed private placement of up to $3 million. Prior to that, EEStor announced results from its Phase 5 testing of the composite modified barium titanate, which included environmental and cycle tests.

Eguana Technologies (TSXV:EGT)

Market cap: $44.46 million
For over 15 years, Eguana Technologies has been designing and manufacturing high performance power electronics for residential and commercial energy storage systems. In that decade-and-a-half, the company has gained experience in delivering grid edge power electronics for fuel cell and photovoltaic and battery applications., and has manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America.
On May 1, the company announced it had received an extra $2.5 million purchase order for its residential AC battery for the Hawaiian Customer Self Supply program from E-Gear LLC.

H2O Innovation (TSXV:HEO)

Market cap: $69.99 million
As evidenced by its name, H2O Innovation has ties to the water industry, particularly providing technical water treatment solutions based on membrane filtration technologies to municipals, energy and mining ended-users.
The company announced in late April that it had been awarded six new projects across the US, bringing the sales backlog total to $58.2 million.

Natcore Technology (TSXV:NXT)

Market cap: $16.29 million
Natcore Technology is an advanced research and development solar cell company currently developing two primary technologies: low-cost all-black solar cell structures, and black silicon cells.
On May 2, the company announced it had exceeded a 20 percent efficiency milestone with its latest demonstration solar cell, achieved on the Natcore Foil Cell™.

PFB (TSX:PFB)

Market cap: $67.65 million
PFB is  in the business of creating insulating building products and technologies that enable residential and commercial buildings to be efficient.
According to the company’s website, its “core competency” is in expanded polystyrene foams (EPS).  In early March, PFB released its investor presentation for the final quarter of 2016, highlighting revenue growth of 2.5 percent compared to the previous year.

Pioneering Technology (TSXV:PTE)

Market cap: $48.06 million
Pioneering Technology focuses on designing, engineering, and producing technologies that help protect people and their homes from fires resulting from cooking. As such, the company’s three main products include the Smart Bruner, safe T sensor, and RangeMinder.
At the end of March, Pioneering Technology announced the addition of a new national distribution program in the US, which includes HD supply purchasing inventory to stock 12 centers around the world.  Prior to that, the company closed a private placement for gross proceeds of $6.2 million.

PyroGenesis Canada (TSXV:PYR)

Market cap: $65.97 million
PyroGenesis Canada develops, designs, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products. Expanding on that, the company’s products and services include advanced materials processing, plasma waste processes, engineering services and plasma torches.
That said, the company is also stepping into the 3D printing world: on April 25, PyroGenesis announced its first order for 3D printing powers. Following that, the company announced its 2016 results, noting a decrease of revenue by 16 percent, but declared 2016 was a “challenging by stellar year.”

Quest Resource Holding (NASDAQ:QRHC)

Market cap: $40.48 million
Quest Resource Holdings provides recycling, reuse and disposal services for a number of large North American corporations. Its services range from wastes, expired food, used motor oil, scrap metal and demolition debris.
At the end of March, Quest released its year-end financial results for 2016, pointing out that it began servicing a new Fortune 100 customer who they state is one of the largest manufacturers in the US.

Questor Technology (TSXV:QST)

Market cap: $17.99 million
Questor Technology is active all around the world with its cleantech services, notably in Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. The company’s primary focus is on clean air technologies for improving air quality, as well as supporting energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Did we miss a company that should be added to the list? Feel free to let us know in the comments! Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Technology for real-time news updates!
This is an updated version of an article first published on the Investing News Network in 2015.
Securities Disclosure: I, Jocelyn Aspa, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: dynaCERT, Natcore Technology and Quest Resource Holding are clients of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.