BrightSource Energy, Inc., a developer of large-scale solar thermal energy plants with operations in Israel, has been selected as the overall winner of AlwaysOn's 2009 GoingGreen Top 100 Private Companies Competition.

The GoingGreen 100 honors the nation's top private companies that create new business opportunities in green technology.

"The BrightSource Energy team is honored to be selected as the recipient of AlwaysOn's 2009 GoingGreen Top 100 Private Companies Competition," said John Woolard, President and CEO of BrightSource Energy. "Brightsource has been very focused on execution and delivery, and this accolade reflects the many great milestones that we have achieved over the past year. We look forward to continuing to deliver to the highest standards as we begin constructing environmentally-friendly solar power plants that reliably deliver cost-effective clean energy."

BrightSource Energy was selected the overall winner from a list of 100 nominees as judged by the AlwaysOn GoingGreen editorial team and its network of industry experts on five main criteria: innovation, market potential, commercialization, stakeholder value and media buzz. This year marks the second annual conference of AlwaysOn GoingGreen.

"We are proud to present our top honor to BrightSource Energy," said Tony Perkins. "Throughout the course of the year, BrightSource Energy has made a tremendous impact on the local and national green community by addressing the global energy challenges that face us today."

AlwaysOn GoingGreen invites green technology innovators to share and extract best practices in the green sphere. The two and a half day executive event features CEO presentations and high-level debates on the most promising emerging green technologies and entrepreneurial opportunities.

BrightSource Energy and other GoingGreen Top 100 nominees will be honored at GoingGreen West on September 14th - 16th, 2009 at Cavallo Point in Sausalito, CA. This two-and-a-half-day executive event features CEO presentations and high-level debates on the most promising emerging green technologies and new entrepreneurial opportunities.

BrightSource Energy, Inc. provides clean, reliable and low cost solar energy for utility and industrial companies worldwide. The BrightSource Energy team combines nearly three decades of experience designing, building and operating the world's largest solar energy plants with world-class project development capabilities. The company now has contracted to sell more than 2.6 gigawatts of power to be generated using its proprietary solar thermal technology.

BrightSource Energy's solar plants are designed to minimize their impact on the environment and help customers reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Headquartered in Oakland, Calif., BrightSource Energy is a privately held company with operations in the United States and Israel.