ANALYSIS - Optimism for greentech sector points to more IPOs

By Poornima Gupta

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Purse strings are loosening, new bets are being placed, and cautious optimism has caught on in the green technology sector.

With oil prices up sharply and the U.S. economy steady, the emerging green technology industry is seen moving back to a growth path from a sheer survival track, with factories being built, funds moving to research and some high-profile young firms mulling initial public offerings of shares.

Venture capitalists, investment bankers and company executives say 2010 will be marked by some of the more mature start-ups testing public enthusiasm for companies that have big growth potential, but little profit.

Experts see energy efficiency and green lighting technology gaining more attention in 2010. Next year should also mark the launch of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles from giant global auto makers such as Nissan Motor Co Ltd 7201> and General Motors Co, and expansion by smaller players like Tesla Motors.

"Next year should be a pretty good year for public markets," said Bryce Lee, managing director at Credit Suisse and co-head of the bank's alternative energy group. "We will see a fair amount of IPOs."

Lee, speaking at a recent industry conference, predicted that smart grid networking company Silver Spring Networks is one of the companies most likely to go public.

Silver Spring, which has a revenue run rate of over $100 million this year, has said it is considering an IPO but has not publicly detailed any timeline.

Silicon Valley-based electric carmaker Tesla is also preparing to go public, sources have told Reuters.