With a call for increased cooperation within the European PV industry along the value chain, the 5th Photovoltaic Fab Managers Forum in Berlin under SEMI PV Group came to an end.

Newly installed PV capacity in Germany almost doubled in 2010. However, the solar subsidy cuts were not implemented without consequences. Almost 7,250 megawatts (MW) were installed, which is much less than originally expected by the grid operators.

The German Federal Government has approved an early reduction of its solar subsidies.

CSOLAR Development, LLC, a renewable energy company managed by U.S.-based Tenaska Solar Ventures, has signed a 25-year contract with San Diego Gas and Electric (SGD&E) to produce 150 megawatts (MW) of solar power in southern California.

The PV industry is on the cusp of a new generation, where intelligent design will become standard. According to one industry expert, to avoid being left behind, now is the time to introduce this technology to the market.

A two megawatt (MW) solar project, which is distributed across 15 Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) sites in the U.S., has been completed.

A conference in Paris highlighted the fact that opinion over the French Government’s decision to cut the country’s feed-in tariffs (FITs) is divided.

The upcoming election in the Australian state of New South Wales could see a substantial shift towards a more environmentally friendly power supply in the country’s most populous state, if the Green Party secures the votes that it is expected to.

?The world’s so-called ‘biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment’, Ecobuild, closed its doors on another successful event. This year, PV was well represented, with a noticeable increase in industry attendees.

In early December 2010, one of the largest solar plants in Upper Franconia was put into operation, the Zultenberg Solar Park.