Decelle was previously chief executive of Lumenz, a US-based light-emitting diode technology company, and three earlier start-ups in the photonics industry: NoblePeak Vision, Apogee Photonics and ASIP.

Mitsui said as it had 155 offices worldwide and extensive business units, investments and partnerships across global energy efficiency and green building channels, it was a strategic investor in Redwood.

News provider Boston Globe said Chevron Technology Ventures had linked with venture capital firm Flybridge Capital (which had previously spun out from publisher International Data Group), incubator Founder Collective and conglomerate Kraft Group in Novophage's round.

The company issued nearly 11 million shares at $18 each compared to an expected upper range of $17 per share prior to its initial public offering. A further 1.65 million shares can be sold if demand remains strong as it began trading at $20 each.

Andrew Birch, chief executive of Sungevity, said: "I am thrilled about the potential of reaching Lowe's 15 million weekly customers at their more than 1,750 retail locations, with Sungevity's services."

GE invested $55m in 12 companies in November from its $200m Ecomagination competition, including FMC-Tech.

SAM Private Equity provided the latest investment in Harvest Power and joins a consortium including New York-listed garbage disposal company Waste Management.

In January, Intel Capital, the corporate venturing unit of US-listed semiconductor company Intel, led the investment in Sulfurcell.

Alongside ETV in the $25m C round for Hara Software was Itochu Technology Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of Japan-based conglomerate Itochu and venture capital firms.

Andrew Williamson, a director at Physic Ventures, said: "WaterSmart brings meter data to life and empowers homeowners with the tools and the personalized data they need to reduce their water use without sacrificing their quality of life. They make it easy and fun to be water efficient."