The nominations are in, the expert panel has been assembled, and we are now very busy finalizing the 2012 Global Cleantech 100, our annual list of the most promising 100 private companies in clean technology innovation. This list is widely regarded as the leading barometer of the shifting and evolving direction of cleantech innovation.

The revealing of the top 100 companies at The Global Cleantech 100 Summit and Gala in October is the culmination of an intensive research process. It’s how we develop this list as much as who is on it, which sets the Global Cleantech 100 apart from other rankings.

Analyst Vince Knowles, has posted here earlier this year on how the methodology of the Global Cleantech 100 list is the industry’s most robust and comprehensive.

While October seems far off, much is underway now to have the list ready for the announcement and celebration at the Italian Embassy. Just a reminder: the Summit and Gala sold-out in 2011 so be sure to reserve your place today.

We are going to “open the kimono” and let you know about some of the key milestones in the creation of this report, downloaded each year by over 5000 people:

• May 1 – June 30: Over 8,000 nominations are collected from the cleantech community, expert judges, industry awards and Cleantech Group investment and commercial relationship data.
• Mid-July: Cleantech Group’s research team identifies a shortlist of up to 250 companies – those whose case for inclusion carries the broadest support, as represented by the aggregated data. To learn more about the methodology behind this stage of the selection process, download the 2011 report.
• Late July: The shortlist is evaluated by a carefully selected panel of international experts. Meet last year’s panel (2012 panel to be published soon).
• July – August: Panelists use their own industry knowledge and experience, and the company profiles in i3 , the sector’s leading market intelligence product, to make their evaluations.
• August: Cleantech Group concludes the final 100 based on who carries the weight of consensus opinion, as represented by the individual inputs of the 70 international panelists as well as the mined data-set.
• October 1: The big reveal: the 100 companies are publicly announced for the first time at the Italian Embassy in Washington D.C. at the opening night Gala dinner of the Global Cleantech 100 Summit and Gala! 

We just might drop some hints on Twitter about which companies will make the 2012 list.  Follow us and let us know what companies you predict will be on our list this year using hashtag #GCT100.