The Indian solar photovoltaics (PV) market is predicted to grow five-fold over the next few years and will become a global player by 2022.

CNPV Solar Power SA, has announced its entrance into a long term general supply agreement with Enel Green Power SpA, Italy’s largest power company, listed on the Milan Stock Exchange.

A Saudi Arabian solar task force has been established following the country’s first Solar Communication and Coordination Workshop, held on May 16 in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest oil corporations, will assume a leading role.

Reducing production costs, maintaining and increasing margins, and gaining market share were highlighted as the three main challenges facing German photovoltaics (PV) companies this year.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and 3M, the St. Paul, Minn.-based technology company, have embarked on research and development partnerships in three key areas of clean energy innovation: thin-film photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and biofuels.