CleanTech OC Daily - 6/18/12

Watch Rio+Social live via the webcast on June 19(tomorrow) from 8am-6pm EST

Rio+Social promises to be one of the most important gatherings of technology, social media and global leaders in the history of South America. This global conversation, focusing on topics related to social good and how new media can help foster positive solutions to the world’s biggest problems, comes at a time when the world gathers to discuss issues that affect us all.
 

The reality behind Nanosolar’s latest funding: huge valuation drop

Nanosolar, who makes thin film solar panels, was able to raise $70 million in a new funding round earlier this month. However, according to DowJones VentureWire, the company raised that funding at a pre-money valuation of $50 million, a major drop from a valuation of over $2 billion years earlier.

More Furloughs at First Solar While Dispute With LA County Drags On

First Solar has furloughed another 75 construction workers on top of 230 others at its Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One. 65 more workers were released at the Alpine Solar project where the company’s panels were to be installed. The confrontation with Los Angeles County is entering its third month and was started due to a LA County safety inspector declined to certify First Solar’s cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic PV panels.