The Liberal/National Party Coalition swept to power in elections in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) last weekend delivering the biggest defeat in Australian electoral history and some interesting developments for the PV industry.

A new material has been discovered in space which, if it can be replicated, could hold the key to previously unimagined PV cell efficiencies.

The Spanish Ministry for Industry has announced the approvals for new PV installations which have the right to obtain the feed-in tariff. Meanwhile, in the second quarter, the new, reduced tariffs will come into effect.

Competition in the PV sector is getting tougher, and companies are getting nervous. Suntech has reacted calmly to reported attacks from German competitor SolarWorld.

According to new research, the global PV market demand has got off to a weak start, with price reductions failing to boost the market. Furthermore, the second quarter of the year is predicted to be “exceptionally challenging”.

Solar stocks around the world have risen after Winfried Kretschmann became the first regional Green Party president in German history. In an interview with pv magazine Wolfgang Seeliger speaks about the country’s political influence on the rest of the world, as well as what the win could mean for PV.

According to reports, Conergy is looking to sue Roth and Rau for compensation worth millions. In other news, the company confirms its previously announced positive financial results.

In another “efficiency record” for today, Q-Cells SE says it has reached an efficiency of 14.7 percent for a mass-produced CIGS thin film solar module, which has been manufactured via monolithic integration. This figure has been verified by Fraunhofer ISE.

Wirsol Solar UK Ltd and Corby Borough Council have joined forces to install PV systems on “as many council owned properties as practicalities permit” in Corby, England.