We believe alternative energy is an important and promising area of investment. The term "alternative energy" encompasses a broad range of sources in varying stages of development. These include well-established technologies, such as hydroelectric, biomass, and wind and solar power as well as others that are considered to be more experimental, such as hydrogen and fuel cells. The promise of these technologies has attracted significant interest from the investment community in a short period of time. Over the past few years the amount of money invested in alternative energy and efficiency technologies has increased from $27.5 billion in 2004 to more than $70 billion in 2006. The majority of the funding has found its way to technologies we believe represent the best investment opportunities today—solar, wind, and energy efficiency—which is where Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund is focusing its investments. To read more about the challenges and opportunities in alternative energy, click
here.
