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It should come as no surprise that small businesses are leading the way in green technology innovation - and the statistics back that up. The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy released a report today that analyzed small business innovation and patents in the field of green technology, studying the difference between small and large firms.

The results are clear - while small firms hold about 8 percent of all U.S. patents, they have 14 percent of the green technology patents. These include over 32 percent of patents in smart grids and solar energy, and 15 percent of the total batteries and fuel cell patents. Moreover, the report found that small innovative firms are 16 times more productive than large innovative firms when you look at patents per employee. Additionally, their patents are cited 2.5 times more than their large counterparts.

View the SBA report here: http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/7540/28811

At the Department of Energy, small businesses are a big part of achieving our mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. Scientific and technological innovation to achieve that mission is essential, and it's clear from reports like this one that small businesses are helping lead the way. Our office assists small businesses by maintaining a customized small business database for Department of Energy procurement, which assists program staff and prime contractors in their market research. Visit our office online to connect your small business' innovation and research with the needs of the Department of Energy.

U.S. Department of Energy