Top Ten Enterprise Customers

1. The U.S. Government

It's amazing what an economic cataclysm can do for your reputation. Historically, Silicon Valley execs and technology investors have viewed the federal government with a mix of suspicion and fear. The best thing the government could do was to provide research funding and stay out of the way.

Now, the billions in loan guarantees and stimulus grants from the Department of Energy are one of the main bulwarks against complete oblivion for automakers, solar manufacturers and others (see Obama Signs Stimulus Package). An estimated $56 to $70 billion of the $787 allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (depending on what you include) is earmarked for energy efficiency, grid improvement, mass transportation, environmental cleanup and other segments of the green industry.

The federal government is a direct and indirect customer. The government will spent $4.5 billion to modernize federal buildings for energy efficiency, while the Department of Defense says it wants to become more energy independent in the field with better batteries and more efficient vehicles. $400 million alone will go to the Department of Defense to evaluate green technologies.

But an even bigger influence may come through tax cuts and grants to others. The $7,500 tax credits on electric cars will, many hope, finally allow electric vehicles to gain momentum by eroding the price premium these cars have had to endure. Green building companies tout the $1,500 tax credits for home improvements to potential customers. The solar industry is rocky, but it would be even more difficult if the feds hadn't passed the 30 percent credit late last year.

And for law firms and consultants, the ARRA will be a great source of billable hours.

Honorable mention: everyone else. Worldwide, governments have put up $3 trillion in stimulus funds, according to Lorie Wigle, who heads up Intel's green initiatives.