I think in times of fear and uncertainty, there’s always going to be a flight to quality–or safety… things you know, can count on, etc. You’re less likely to buy the new new thing that you’re not sure about because Lehman went under and GM might, too.

Thanks for the refresher on Diffusion of Innovations. It’s a useful framework but one that isn’t obvious to apply to the real world. Many people, including myself at times, confuse tactics for driving adoption and recognizing when something is ready to be adopted by the mainstream.

Another point worth considering and something I’m not that good at figuring out is how first mover advantage plays into this curve. Who captures the Mainstream? The early hippie pioneers who embraced photovoltaics many years ago when it was prohibitively expensive? Some of them are still in the game and are building companies that are taking advantage of the improving economics of solar energy. Or is it the new guys that recognize that the Mainstream is warming to solar energy and may be willing to pay for it? Who wins at this stage? The hippies with years of experience and passion or the professional business builders who are agnostic but sophisticated?

Sahu, some great thoughts and thank you for your comment as well. VCs are “in” a business for the medium to long-term, so producing meaningful revenue immediately isn’t always the case – think USV model, but a finer attention to attracting adoption will be prevalent.