5 Top Cleantech News Stories of 2019

This past year offered a variety of critical developments in cleantech for investors to monitor.

Throughout 2019, the Investing News Network (INN) tracked the ups and downs of the industry and the latest announcements affecting the progress of the sector overall.

Here INN presents a closer look at our top five cleantech stories of 2019 as decided by our readers.

1. End of REP Won’t Stop Renewable Energy in Alberta

The first item on our list is a special report breaking down the termination of the Renewable Energy Program (REP) in Alberta as a new right-wing government came into power in the province.

Evan Wilson, the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s regional director for the prairies, told INN that companies working for the future of the renewable energy market would stand against the United Conservative Party’s plans.

“The canceling of the REP means that there will no longer be a competitive auction where contracts will be awarded by the Alberta Electric System Operator,” he said. “It did result in significantly de-risking projects because you know the pricing (and) you know the size of the market for 20 years.”

2. China Leads Solar Power Race as Canada Crawls

In a feature, INN outlined the recent changes in climate change action goals from countries around the world, including China which — according to GlobalData Power Analyst Pavan Kumar Vyakaranam — will lead the world for concentrated solar power.

“There’s an influx of renewables in different countries because of whatever (climate change) targets they opted, whatever incentives they are providing to different technologies like solar (photovoltaics),” the analyst told INN. “So there’s a lot of installations, but these sources are intermittent.”

3. Federal Government Accelerates Cleantech Focus in 2019 Budget

As part of the 2019 budget release from the Canadian federal government, spending on cleantech causes increased alongside a strategy for the nation to meet its 2030 climate change targets.

“With this budget, we are taking steps to make zero-emission vehicles more affordable for more Canadians, with a new federal purchase incentive of up to C$5,000 for electric battery or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for Canadians who want to make the switch and pay less at the pump,” Finance Minister Bill Morneau said at the time.

Overall, the government set aside C$300 million over a three year period as a way to incentivize the purchase of zero emission vehicles.

4. Bee Vectoring Technologies Eyes the European Union

In this video interview, INN spoke with Ashish Malik, CEO of Bee Vectoring Technologies (TSXV:BEE), as part of our coverage of the Cantech Investment Conference.

Malik broke down the expectations from the European market as a destination for critical changes in agricultural practices when it comes to beekeeping. Watch the video below for what he had to say.

5. CalAmp and OjO Electric to Redefine E-scooter Sharing Program

Earlier this year, CalAmp (NASDAQ:CAMP) confirmed a business partnership for the creation of an e-scooter ride-sharing program to be launched in Austin, Texas.

“Unlike other alternative transportation solutions, OjO’s e-scooter sharing service is evolving mobility-as-a-service by coordinating with local municipalities and leveraging advanced telematics to reinvent the business model,” said Michael Burdiek, CEO of CalAmp.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.