[social_buttons]The Washington Post brings to light just how big an impact Obama’s pledge will have for renewable energy companies. We’re already seeing high profile interest in funding entrepreneurs in solar, wind and alternative energy; early next year we could see a boom!

President-elect Barack Obama wants the nation to derive 10 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2012, up from 2 percent today. That comes on top of the global push for green power, making wind and solar power companies a good bet.

It’s been a rocky road for the high flying sector, recently as the credit crunch has reduced investors willingness to capitalize any company, least of all those involved in risky new ventures. But, that hasn’t stopped big names like T. Boone Pickens from investing in wind power and..

The outlook is …sunny for First Solar (FSLR), which makes solar panels. The rapidly growing firm, which has the least expensive manufacturing cost per watt in the industry, has consistently notched up impressive sales and earnings growth. Analysts expect sales, just $48 million in 2005, to reach $1.2 billion this year and nearly $2.1 billion in 2009… 44 percent of (the stock) is owned by the Walton family of Wal-Mart fame.

As January 20th and a new era in American Politics moves closer, alternative energy companies will have a variety of funding choices, from exchange traded funds like First Trust Global Wind Energy to high net worth individuals to mezzanine financiers.

A good place to start looking for that capital might be The Funded.com, an online site for entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review funding sources worldwide. and to assist one another finding good investors. There are of course, a variety of opportunities available right now.

What are you seeing? Is the credit crunch easing for renewable energy companies?

Photo Credit: Davidcheif at Flickr Under Creative Commons License