Credit Suisse-backed private equity firm Hudson Clean Energy Partners will focus on investments in wind, solar and biofuels, with deal sizes averaging about $100 million, its managing partners said Wednesday. John Cavalier, former head of Credit Suisse's renewable energy investment banking practice, and Neil Auerbach, Hudson's founder, said in an interview that the firm was focused on companies with commercialized technology, or those that are on the verge of commercialization. Hudson sees the biggest opportunities in wind, solar and biofuels, Cavalier said, but added that it would take a cautious approach to biofuels given concerns about the use of food sources, such as corn, as feedstocks. Other clean-energy technologies, such as those focused on energy efficiency and upgrades to the electrical grid, are also on the firm's radar. "We do see some tremendous opportunities in other related areas, and hopefully we will be making some very sensible investments in those, but they are calling for less capital deployment right now," Cavalier said. "Clearly the large capital consumers would be wind and solar." The firm is looking closely at a number of investments, some in which Hudson would assume total control over a company, and some with shared control with other industry players. "Relationships with venture capitalists and private equity will be very important to us," Cavalier said. "We look to be working very closely with the smart money that is looking to be deployed." Deals in most cases need to exceed $50 million and should average $100 million, Cavalier said, adding that the firm would consider bigger transactions. "For the right circumstances we will be able to commit much more to the right management team with the right technology," he said. Last month, Credit Suisse said it would invest $300 million in renewable energy companies through a partnership with Hudson. As part of the deal, Cavalier joined Auerbach as co-managing partner of Hudson's investment business. Prior to founding Hudson, Auerbach created and led Goldman Sachs Group Inc's US alternative energy investment business and managed more than $3 billion in assets for the firm. (Editing by Braden Reddall) Story by Nichola Groom and Anupreeta Das REUTERS NEWS SERVICE