Welcome to the global cleantech 100.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

This year's Cleantech 100 received a record number of nominations, up over 2,000 on last year. The list, a three year-old joint venture between the Guardian and the Cleantech Group, is a snapshot of the most exciting, innovative and up-and-coming clean technology companies in the world.

For more on the methodology and the expert panelists behind the list, just scroll down the page.

Here are the top 100 companies:Methodology

We asked which 100 of today's private cleantech companies are the most likely to make the most significant market impact over the next five to 10 years. Hundreds of worldwide cleantech experts -- including companies themselves -- nominated the list, which also included so- called "passive" nominations and validations derived from analysing market data, taking votes of confidence in a company's ability to achieve high growth and high-market impact from market transactions such as investment rounds, and major customer and partnership announcements. To be on the list, companies must be independent, for-profit, cleantech companies that are …