Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has signed a supply contract worth CHF 160 million (around USD$169 million; €123 million) with an unnamed, existing customer in Asia.

Delegates at the 2nd International Conference on PV Module Recycling, held yesterday in Madrid, Spain were hoping to hear that photovoltaic (PV) recycling efforts had increased since last year’s conference.

Hong Kong-based Mascotte Holdings Limited is to acquire a 50.1 percent stake of Taiwanese polycrystalline silicon manufacturer Sun Materials for USD$150 million (around HK$1.17 billion).

U.S. thin film manufacturer, Abound Solar, has received MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification for its AB1-series of photovoltaic modules.

Ontario has moved ahead of New Jersey to take second place in North American solar photovoltaic (PV) rankings for 2010. The first place is still held by California, but the current rate of growth in Ontario could rival the sunny state this year.

Without any big pompous announcement, Uganda has announced a feed-in tariff scheme for its country’s renewable energy.

Mercom Capital in Texas, U.S. has released a report stating 2010 as the best year smart grid has had.

A proposal for the brought forward cuts of the photovoltaic feed-in tariffs in Germany is to be presented by the end of the week. The plans will be officially presented by the Minister of Environment tomorrow before noon. That was the word from governing party circles.

First Solar’s 230 megawatt (MW) AV Solar Ranch One project has received final and non-appealable environmental permitting. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with project completion expected by the end of 2013.

Silfab’s president and CEO tells pv magazine about the Italian company’s plans to hit 22 percent efficiency for its monocrystalline solar cells. He also outlines its competitive strategy for the coming year.