For all of its flaws, the Bloom deal in Delaware established a small window of opportunity for cleantech firms to participate in the traditional electric utility rate setting process.
Even though Alabama was playing lowly Vanderbilt at a time when the Crimson Tide was well down from its existing perch at the top, the crowd was electric as was the setting around the stadium.
Matsushita has tried to get round this by setting up, in 1994, a joint venture with Beijing Hua Ying Sheng Electric Development Corporation, to distribute its products.