Silicon Valley Goes Green

Silicon Valley is becoming a center of green technology research, with more than 100 companies focusing on solar power development, according to a report released today by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Green research companies are enjoying the favor of venture capitalists, who pumped $1.13 billion into the industry in 2005, with most of it going to California firms.

The industry-supported organization also claims dozens of Valley companies are adopting green practices, whether by cutting electricity usage, pledging to buy plug-in hybrids, or competing to persuade the largest number of employees to carpool.  "Across the board, our member companies, their employees, industry and government leaders, and community organizations are going clean and green," said the CEO of the Leadership Group. (More Silicon Valley stories.)