The US-based solar company backed by Applied Materials set its range on Monday at $10 to $12 per share.

Tate & Lyle Ventures invests again, having backed the company since 2007, while BASF Venture Capital takes more than two thirds of the latest round.

The Alternative & Renewable technologies (Art) fund is to complement TPG's existing biotech funds and the broader leveraged buyout portfolios.

This is the first new investment by Innogy Venture Capital's fund, IRTF I, since RWE Innogy and Bankhaus Lampe (through its Conetwork Erneuerbare Energien holding) signed their strategic cooperation agreement last November to commit to the fund.

China-based Shenergy Group teams up with IDG Capital Partners, backed by IDG Capital Partners, to back a China-based solar group set up in 2009.

The current generation of corporate venturing funds has learnt some lessons from the failures in the past decade.

The Japan-based manufacturer invests in the biofuels company, previously backed by energy company Valero, which has raised an estimated $65m of venture funding and secured significant support from the US government.

US-based smart grid company Silver Spring Networks raises debt and options, alongside a strategic alliance with Hitachi, as it prepares its flotation.