Cleantech Venture Network Honors Industry Leaders at Cleantech Forum XII.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Cleantech Venture Network, LLC announced three major cleantech award winners at the Cleantech Forum XII Gala Dinner in San Francisco last night. The Cleantech Leader of the Year award was given to Jesse Fink, the Managing Partner and founding sponsor of MissionPoint Capital Partners and Bob Epstein of E2 and New Resource Bank. The Cleantech Emerging Enterprise of the Year was awarded to both the SunPower Corporation, which designs, manufactures and markets high-performance solar electric technology worldwide and Schmack Biogas AG, a leading German supplier of biogas plants. The Cleantech Corporation of the Year was presented to Wal-Mart.

"In 2006 cleantech arrived as one of the key drivers for innovative improvements that are moving our global culture towards the creation and implementation of sustainable solutions. Cleantech will solve the real, environmental challenges of today and tomorrow," said Nicholas Parker, co-founder and chairman of Cleantech Venture Network, LLC. "On behalf of the Cleantech Venture Network and our advisory board we would like to thank all of our award recipients for their tremendous contributions to the development and expansion of the cleantech industry."

The Cleantech Leader of the Year is awarded to an organization or individual who has shown exceptional leadership in adding credibility or resources to the cleantech industry field in 2006.

* Jesse Fink, Managing Partner and founding sponsor of MissionPoint Capital Partners

Jesse Fink is the Managing Partner and founding sponsor of MissionPoint Capital Partners, an investment firm capitalizing on high-growth investment opportunities created by the accelerating demand for clean, secure energy and the large-scale transition to a low-carbon global economy. Fink is a graduate of the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York, where he received a B.S. in Resource Management. He also earned an MBA from Syracuse University's School of Management.

* Bob Epstein, E2 and New Resource Bank

Bob Epstein currently splits his professional time between his roles as co-founder of Environmental Entrepreneurs, Director New Resource Bank and Trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Epstein is Vice Chairman of California's Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee for AB 32. Epstein is a co-founder of five companies: Sybase, New resource Bank, GetActive Software, Zight and Britton-Lee. Epstein has a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

The Cleantech Emerging Enterprise of the Year is awarded to a company, or its CEO, that experienced rapid growth and/or provided a high realized return to investors in 2006 by bringing a truly disruptive clean technology or business model to market.

* SunPower Corporation

SunPower Corporation (www.sunpowercorp.com) designs, manufactures and markets high-performance solar electric technology worldwide. SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells and panels generate up to 50 percent more power per unit area than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. SunPower's PowerLight subsidiary is a leading global provider of large-scale solar power systems, with over 100 megawatts installed. Thomas H. Werner, CEO of SunPower and Dr. Richard Swanson, president and CTO, accepted the award on behalf of SunPower Corporation.

* Schmack Biogas AG

Schmack Biogas AG (www.schmack-biogas.com) is a leading German supplier of biogas plants. Established in 1995, the company provides its services through two divisions, namely Planning and Construction and Plant Management and Service, and is one of the few full-service providers in the industry. Schmack Biogas has built 171 plants with combined nominal output of 41MW. Gina Domanig, Head of Private Equity SAM Sustainable Asset Management, accepted the award on behalf of Schmack Biogas AG.

The Cleantech Corporation of the Year is awarded to a major corporation, or its CEO, whose actions in 2006 significantly advanced the growth of cleantech markets and/or demand for cleantech products and services.

* Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart began in 1962 with a single store in Northwest Arkansas, and has since grown to become the world's largest retailer, serving more than 176 million customers each week. The company now employs 1.8 million associates around the world, including 1.3 million in the United States, and operates more than 6,700 stores in 14 countries. Last year, Wal-Mart generated more than $312 billion in global revenue. Wal-Mart is working hard to integrate sustainable practices into their business plans, saving the company and customers even more money. Bill Correll, Director of Architecture at Wal-Mart, accepted the award on behalf of Wal-Mart.

About Cleantech Venture Network([R]), LLC

The Cleantech Venture Network([R]) LLC is a membership group that catalyzes investment, business opportunities, and relationships driving the growth of cleantech globally. The Cleantech Venture Network([R]) founded the cleantech investment category in 2002 and brings together stakeholders at the four Cleantech Forums [TM] per year and provides investors, executives, government agencies, and media accurate and consistent data on cleantech venture investments, M&A and IPO's for North America, Europe, and China. The network has over 7,000 cleantech investors and 7,700 companies worldwide that take advantage of the global Cleantech Forums([TM]), comprehensive market research services and reports, online proprietary deal flow, and investor directory. In addition, CVN provides information services, including the twice-a-month market intelligence newsletter Cleantech Capital Alert[TM] and the quarterly Cleantech Investment Monitor[TM] report that tracks and analyzes all cleantech investments, M&As and IPOs in North America and Europe.