CleanTech OC Daily - 7/31/12

UCLA's new transparent solar film could be game-changer

Researchers at UCLA have created a new organic nearly transparent polymer that produces electricity and is more durable and malleable than silicon. While the idea of solar films and plastics is not new, the breakthrough is in the transparency and isolating only one band of light in the spectrum.

Concerned Scientists: Renewables Secure From Drought

The Union of Concerned Scientists believe that this summer’s drought is already straining the operation of water-heavy fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. In a post straight from the Union’s blog, Erika Spanger-Siegfried, a senior analyst with the Union’s Climate and Energy Program, argues that solar and wind energy promote energy security because they make the U.S. less reliant on a failing water supply.

California's Carbon Caps are Contentious but Coming

November is the kick off to California’s cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions. CA will be operating the world’s second largest cap-and-trade program, next to Europe. The program will start in January 2013 but this November it will begin auctioning the credits - expected to raise $1 billion. The program is expected to be in full force by 2016, and a $10 billion market.