German-based photovoltaic manufacturer and distributer aleo solar today announced earning forecasts for 2011. Coming in at 462 million euros, the result represents a 17 percent decrease in revenues from 2010.

In a week where mixed signals have been emerging from the photovoltaic equipment market, NPD Solarbuzz figures indicate growing revenues during 2011. Looking to the future is another story however, with the analysts predicting a sharp downturn.

New figures from Bloomberg Energy Finance have shown that while the global economy remains sluggish, clean energy and solar in particular, continues to attract investment.

Capturing a global market share of 50 percent, German equipment manufacturers have recorded year-on-year sales increases of 10 percent for the third quarter 2011, according to VDMA figures. Demand from Asia remains the overwhelming trend.

Norway-based solar company Renewable Energy Corporation has today reported wafer contract cash compensation in the order of NOK200 million (USD33.32 million). The payments will be received in the first quarter of 2012.

The Californian Public Utilities Commission approved today approved five renewable energy contracts worth 1,088MW. Three of the agreements were signed with Southern California Edison and Solar Star California–which is subsidiary of SunPower–for the Quinto, AVSP I and AVSP II photovoltaic projects, collectively worth 711 megawatt (MW).

In the case that all the solar industry in the UK will be watching closely, judges at the Court of Appeals said today that they will deliberate on the government’s appeal against the High Court’s recent findings that its cuts to the photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) rates were unlawful.

One of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), has announced that 185-megawatt (MW) worth of new photovoltaic projects came online in 2011. The capacity was spread across eight project sites.

Germany renewables developer juwi announced today that it has completed the sale of a solar power plant with a capacity of 1,065 kilowatt (kW). The plant was commissioned in 2009 and has been operated by juwi for two years.

Uncertainty in the UK’s solar industry may be reduced today as the Government’s appeal against a High Court ruling that its feed-in tariff (FIT) cut was illegal is heard. The High Court’s initial ruling was made in response to a case brought before it by the environmental NGO Friends of the Earth and a coalition of solar companies.