Welcome to the Green Chip Review Weekend Edition — our insights from the week in everything alternative and cleantech, as well as links to our most-read Green Chip Review and sister publication articles.

Overall, it was a great year for cleantech. Take a look at the performance of some representative companies:

Each of those stocks — and many more — were in the portfolios of our premium products, leading thousands of Green Chip investors to nice profits.

Major drivers this year included global stimulus packages that focused on clean energy and efficiency, a major energy bill working through Congress, and the recent climate talks in Copenhagen.

Acute water shortages and an EPA decree to regulate emissions are also driving water and pollution-control stocks higher.

Global solar and wind installations grew markedly, and the necessity for a smart grid is now understood by all.

In sum, 2009 was a definitive turning point for the cleantech industry; a launching pad for the next decade of expansion.

Check out the archives to see all of Green Chip's vast coverage of the year.

For this shortened week, there is only a bit of news to report...

There was more action in China this week as Vestas (COP: VWS) — the world's largest turbine producer — announced a 40 MW order from China Datang Renewable Power Co. Vestas also announced a 48 MW order from an anonymous customer in Spain.

China also passed a law requiring grid operators to buy every single drop of renewably-produced electricity. Man, next year is going to be good...

On the Iberian Peninsula, the wind has been blowing a bit harder than usual. Spot power prices there fell to their lowest levels since 2007, thanks to excess supply from wind turbines. In fact, there was so much juice flowing from the turbines that Spain had to shut some down in order to balance the load.

Yet we still hear arguments that wind is expensive and provides inefficient power.

Here in the States, California said it has 70 GW of planned renewable energy in its project pipeline.

In two blows for the industry, venture spending was off 36% in 2009, but that was to be expected with credit still tight. And Michigan issued an air permit for a new coal plant, putting a step closer to construction. Remember, no new coal plants were started in 2009... in fact, 26 were canceled.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the growing murmurs about nuclear energy. I know this is a touchy topic in the green space.

This week, the U.S. announced loan guarantees to kick-start the construction of new plants and the United Arab Emirates completed a $40 billion deal to acquire nuclear reactors.

We'll address nuclear on a case-by-case basis, but expect it to start making it into our nexus of coverage next year.

Catch up on the rest of this week's coverage below.

Call it like you see it,

Nick

20 Years of Non-Stop Revenue: The Single Wind Play that Will Make You Rich in 2010 — and Beyond
Green Chip brings readers the latest news on the most powerful wind play in North America, and why it will bring massive profits to investors when a new California state law demanding hikes in renewable energy production goes into effect on New Year's Day...

Green Chip Stocks: Green Chip Stocks Year-in-Review 2009
Green Chip Publisher Jeff Siegel provides a Green Chip Stocks Year-In-Review for 2009.

An "Alternative" Resolution: New Year, New Ways to Profit from Alternative Energy
Green Chip's Nick Hodge will close 2009 with more than 60 winners in his Alternative Energy Speculator portfolio. From solar to geothermal to battery companies, his readers are sitting pretty after a year of investing in the alternative energy sector. You could be enjoying the same wealth in 2010...

China's Renewable Energy Boom: National People's Congress Presses Utilities for Integration
International Editor Sam Hopkins takes a look at China's new clean energy mandate and what it means in 2010.

China High Speed Rail: China High Speed Rail Ups the Ante
Green Chip's Jeff Siegel explains how an effort to expand its high-speed rail network leads China to deliver what looks to be the fastest rail link in the world.

A Global Water Crisis: The Only Market to Rival Oil
Energy & Capital Editor Nick Hodge discusses the global water crisis via California, and includes market implications of severe shortages.

Russia China Lithium Batteries: Siberian Plant Will Produce Electric Car Components
Green Chip's Sam Hopkins explains why out on the frozen tundra, green technological cooperation between Russia and China is heating up.