CleanTech OC Daily - 9/10/12

Green jobs are growing the fastest in red and swing states
According to a new report from a cleantech-focused venture firm in San Francisco, DBL Investors, some traditionally Republican and swing states are showing some of the most growth in clean power and energy efficiency jobs. Out of the ten states that are showing the fastest green jobs growth, four of them are Republican-led and four are swing states, only two are Democratic-leaning.

US Solar Market Spikes With 742 MW in Solar Installations in Q2 2012

The U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2nd Quarter 2012 report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA®) released today found that U.S. solar achieved its second-best quarter in history. Q2 saw 742 megawatts of installed solar power and utility installations hit 477 megawatts. It is expected that the market will remain strong in Q3 and Q4 with 3,400 megawatts of utility PV projects currently under construction.

Battery startups join forces: Contour acquires ActaCell

In an effort to expedite the manufacturing process, Contour Energy Systems, which makes fluorine-based battery technology, and ActaCell, a lithium ion battery technology developer, have merged. Though the details of the deal were not released, Contour Energy Systems has raised more money than ActaCell, and ActaCell is becoming a subsidiary of Contour.