CleanTech OC Daily - 6/27/12

Braemar closes $300M fund for energy tech

Braemar Energy Ventures announced on Wednesday that it has closed its latest third fund, of $300 million, to invest in energy technologies. The firm has had a few successful exits, including A123 Systems, Solazyme, and EnerNOC. Braemar’s managers say they’ve collectively invested in over 60 companies in energy tech and have delivered more than 20 exits.

BMW and Toyota co-developing fuel cells

In December 2011, Toyota and BMW announced a collaboration on fuel-efficient and alternative power-train vehicles. The companies also plan to pool resources on fuel cell technology. Neither company has been aggressive with their hydrogen program in the U.S., but this enhanced partnership should help both companies ready vehicles for the hydrogen market.

Solar Power Rises from City Dump

JinkoSolar is providing the solar cells for a new 5.75 megawatt solar project to be built on the site of a former landfill in Canton, Massachusetts. In addition to the site in Canton, the U.S. EPA has identified 14 million acres of abandoned industrial sites that could be used for solar and wind projects. The Re-Powering America’s Land was created  by the Obama Administration in 2010 to clean up and repurpose local eyesores, and create new green jobs in local communities.