The Book That Defined Clean Tech
In 2007, Clean Edge co-founder and managing director Ron Pernick and editor-at-large Clint Wilder published The Clean Tech Revolution, the first book that introduced clean tech to a mainstream business and investment audience. We recently had the rights to the book reverted from publisher HarperCollins to us as authors and are pleased to offer the book as a free PDF download.
Though the past two decades have certainly brought dramatic changes and transformations, we believe many of the book’s salient themes remain relevant today. For example, we identified six key industry drivers, “the six C’s” – Costs, Capital, Competition, Consumers, Climate, and (perhaps most significant of all) China – all of which continue to drive global clean-tech growth and investment. We also highlighted 10 Companies to Watch in each of eight industry sectors. Although many have not survived, some such as GE, Itron, NEWater, NextEra Energy (formerly FPL Group), Siemens, Tesla, and Vestas remain key players in their respective sectors.
As authors we were proud to reach a wide global audience, with more than 30,000 English-language copies sold and the book translated into seven languages: Japanese, Mandarin, German, Spanish, French, Hebrew, and Serbian. But we are perhaps even more gratified to have inspired a broad swath of readers – from entrepreneurs and investors to a future member of Congress – who have told us that The Clean Tech Revolution motivated them to join this dynamic and transformative industry. In 2026, we believe that the book serves as both a historical document from clean tech’s catalytic early days and a resource with lessons and key themes that still resonate today.
What is Clean Tech?
Adapted from The Clean Tech Revolution
Clean tech refers to products, services, and processes that deliver value while using limited or zero nonrenewable resources and/or creating significantly less waste than conventional offerings.
Clean technology spans a diverse range of solutions – from solar power systems and electric vehicles (EVs) to advanced water and grid technologies – that:
- Harness renewable materials and energy sources, or use natural resources more efficiently and productively
- Reduce or eliminate pollution and toxic waste
- Deliver equal or superior performance compared with conventional offerings
In many cases, clean-tech solutions also:
- Offer investors, companies, and customers the potential for increased returns, reduced costs, and lower prices
- Create quality jobs in management, production, installation, and deployment
At Clean Edge, we have tracked and defined clean-tech markets for more than two decades. We organize the sector around four core areas: energy, transportation, water, and the grid. These include well-established technologies such as solar, EVs, lithium-ion batteries, smart meters, and water desalination, as well as emerging sectors such as nuclear fusion, enhanced geothermal, water air capture, all-electric shipping, and long-duration energy storage.
