A couple of the most well known entrepreneurs of America made the headlines in cleantech earlier today.

The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates spoke to CNET and said that he had invested in the green technology fund of Vinod Khosla and that this was going to give him a lot of access to the scientists working in the field who he said that he discuses the various challenges involved with developing low emissions, low cost energy.

During this video interview, which you can view on the internet, he says that he expects a majority of the cleantech companies to not succeed although a few could emerge with breakthrough technology if they are supported enough.

Gates has also made an invested in algae-to-fuel company that is known as Sapphire Energy as well as in TerraPower which is a nuclear power developing company who Gates believes has had a breakthrough with their design. In another story, Gates wrote a letter that was released on Sunday according to which he felt that the funds which were pledged to aiding in climate change will reduce the aid that is being given to all global health issues at this moment.

The CEO of Southern Company, David Ratcliffe alongwith Ted Turner declared a strategic alliance which was meant to pursue the development of renewable enery projects in the U.S. starting with the photo voltaic solar installations in South west United States. Turner is indeed the largest individual land owner in North America and has more than 2 million acres of land to himself. This alliance is going to explore renewable projects even on Turner land and on other suitable sites, said a press release.

“I have always been very passionate about developing various renewable energy’s and I am very excited to be joining teams with Southern Company in order to explore our potential when it comes to renewable energy,” said Turner, the owner of the company, Turner Renewable Energy. “The experience that Southern Company has in various the development of various power projects, operations and construction as well as customer relations that will help in making this alliance a very strong one and I am looking forward to working with them, together.”

During the year 2007, Ted Turner sold his company which worked on developing solar energy called Turner Renewable Energy to 1st Solar for a price of $34.4 million.

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