Imec and Kaneka have developed a silver-free heterojunction silicon solar cell, with a conversion efficiency of over 21 percent. Imec speaks to pv magazine about the achievement and states that the use of copper in commercial cell production could come sooner than many think.

In the latest development of the U.S.-China trade dispute, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) has issued a statement on behalf of the country’s photovoltaic companies. In it, it said there is “no intention” of starting a trade war, but that the Chinese solar companies will fight those who have petitioned against them.

While the elements, clouds, storms or snow, can often be an impediment to generating electricity through photovoltaics or other solar technologies, nature also has other ways of getting in the way. In Australia, where the sunshine is more reliable than other places, native birds can also pose a menace to a solar array.

Global electronics giant, Panasonic Corporation has unveiled plans to open a 300 megawatt (MW) vertically-integrated solar manufacturing facility in Malaysia.

The Republic of Serbia and Securum Equity Partners have signed a framework agreement, under which they intend to realize a one gigawatt (GW) solar park in Serbia.

It seems there is no escape from the third quarter (Q3) woes this year. Trina is the next solar company to post weak financial figures on the back of the “challenging” market conditions. Questions also remain over new technology plans.

After an opening day that seemed somewhat overly focused on the German market, the second day provided a whistle-stop, round-the-world tour encompassing both prominent and emerging markets from Europe and beyond. The key issues to emerge were a need for more foreign investment and lobbying against other power sources.

The German Liberal Party (FDP) leader is looking to place a one gigawatt (GW) cap on solar subsidies. Federal Minister for the Environment Röttgen has swiftly rejected the demand, however. He has also said he wishes to preserve the existing subsidy system.

The World Bank has approved a U.S.$297 million loan to Morocco to aid in the financing of the Ouarzazate Concentrated Solar Power Plant Project. This will be one of the first large-scale plants of its kind in North Africa.

The 12th Forum Solarpraxis kicked off on Thursday, designed to unite the movers and shakers of the industry in Berlin to discuss the issues currently facing the PV industry. Yet the clash between the pre-organised themes for the first day and the participants desire to look to the future outside of the German industry seemed to present a bit of a problem.