The European Commission has approved €12.9 million worth of state aid for Masdar PV GmbH to install a second photovoltaic module production line in Germany.

India’s booming population and increasing demand for energy provides one of the most positive marketplace opportunities for renewable energy, and in particular solar, in the world, according to a new report. However, there are still many issues, like financing and policy, to be addressed, leading to doubts that the 20 gigawatt (GW) solar targets can be achieved.

Ever since the 1603 Treasury and Section 1705 loan guarantee programs expired last year, succumbing to what many characterized as premature deaths, renewable energy advocates have been inconsolable. And they haven’t suffered silently. They continue to find ways to remind the U.S. Congress that the solar sector is not receiving the support it needs to build jobs and independence from fossil fuels, or to compete on a global scale.

Like an unrepentant child confined to a “time-out” corner, China is not only irate at accusations that it has over-subsidized its solar industry and underpriced its products, but it is plotting a market rally strong enough to scuttle its competition.

While the U.S.-based photovoltaics company continued to suffer losses in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012, its balance sheet showed some improvement on last year. There is still some way to go, though, before it is in the black. Issuing its full year (FY) guidance, SunPower is confident it can achieve revenues of US$2.6 billion to $3 billion, and reduce costs to $0.86 per Watt.

Henning Schorisch demonstrated cautious optimism with regard to the future of the insolvent photovoltaic manufacturer. Thus no layoffs of the 1,300 employees are pending in the near future and the company has again ramped up production.

SunPower Corp. has sold its 25 megawatt McHenry Solar Project, located in Northern Stanislaus County, California, to K Road Power Holdings, LLC for an undisclosed amount.

CEO’s from the international photovoltaics community have today announced the establishment of a Global Solar Council. The goal is to sustainably and cost-competitively expand the worldwide deployment of solar energy, by emphasizing the importance of “supportive” policies and trade environments.

3M has started up what it says is the world’s largest aperture solar parabolic trough, in partnership with Gossamer Space Frames, as an addition to the 400-acre Sunray Energy facility in Daggett, California, formerly known as the SEGs I and II plants.

Canadian Solar Inc. and the Bank of China, New York Branch have signed a construction financing agreement worth CAD$120 million for the establishment of solar power plants in Ontario, Canada. In related news, Sanmina-SCI will manufacture Satcon’s inverters in Ottawa.