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This past Sunday I watched the “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Biden(below), and among the many interesting things he said was that the federal government would be committing $500 billion dollars to support green/energy projects. This could cover everything from solar tax credits to hybrid and electric cars, to windmills and battery technology to water, hydro power and thermal nuclear power to biofuels and recycling, to mass transit and reduction of carbon emissions. It is by no means a complete list.

As I write this, I realize how much these emerging technologies will “energize” big business, new start-ups, university grants, research and development, etc. For example, the conservation movement to protect our forests and rivers will require unparalleled innovations. Same for the struggling auto industry. In fact, the opportunities will be so vast, the highest percentage of job and business growth going forward will emerge from all of the products and services that will need to be developed under this energy umbrella.

How does all of this translate to investment opportunities and a chance to prosper from the green revolution?

I just finished reading an interesting article in the April issue of “Fortune” magazine about how Warren Buffet discovered a company in China building plug-in electric cars and is now investing in them. (And where Warren goes, so should we). The article also included a link to a very interesting video. Then, two related articles featured an interview with the new White House Energy Secretary, Carol Browner, talking about how big business can participate in this green growth industry, and another about new battery technologies which could change everything for Detroit’s automakers.

Wind and solar energy represent another exciting investment opportunity. Right now the focus has been on residential expansion (solar panel installations) but the real potential will come from corporate and commercial installations (office buildings, retail, hotels, etc.)

New mutual funds and ETF (exchange traded funds) are now available, as are unit trusts which make investments in these companies simple and affordable. Keep in mind, however, that with each new industry will come winners and losers, consolidation and of course, long term goals. (Think about how the Internet developed- dozens of smaller companies took their turn at bat until the likes of Ebay and Amazon emerged as big players, causing the smaller, weaker firms to sell out or fold).

Just as there is no quick fix for the economy, these energy-based companies will need time to find their footing and their best revenue streams. Meanwhile, it appears to be a real win-win situation to go green. Save the planet, shore up your portfolio!

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Tags: biden interview, electric cars, enviornment, etf, green revolution, green technology, invest in green, lee rosenberg, solar tax credit, wind energy

About the Author: Lee Rosenberg is the Co-founder of ARS Financial Services, Inc. As a Certified Financial Planner with more than 34 years of solid financial expertise. Lee is a registered representative of Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. He was also named one of the top 25 Independent Financial Advisers in the US by Rep magazine.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at 8:25 am and is filed under investing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.