Sunny Day For Solar Start-Up

Solar power company Solyndra, one of many fledgling “clean energy” firms trying to kick-start operations as the nation’s economy swoons, said Tuesday it has raised more than $600 million in venture capital funding and snagged $1.2 billion in customer orders.

Those numbers should put to rest concerns about Solyndra’s financial health, Chief Executive Chris Gronet said in an interview. The company’s investors, which include Richard Branson’s Virgin Green Fund and an investment fund tied to the Walton family, “have the resources to support this company as we ramp,” Gronet said.