Imec says it has realized large-area (70cm2) epitaxial solar cells with efficiencies of up to 16.3 percent on high-quality substrates. Efficiencies of up to 14.7 percent were also achieved on large-area low-quality substrates, thus demonstrating “the potential of thin film epitaxial solar cells for industrial manufacturing”.

On Semiconductor Corporation and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. have signed a definitive purchase agreement providing for the acquisition of Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and other assets related to Sanyo Electric’s semiconductor business, by On Semiconductor in a cash and stock transaction. The purchase price is around USD$366 million (¥33.0 billion).

Raytracker, Inc., a manufacturer of utility grade photovoltaics (PV) tracking systems, has said it has more than tripled quarter-over-quarter revenue in the last two successive quarters, with a strong pipeline of demand well into next year.

Envision Solar International, Inc. has said it has invented the world’s first solar parking array with fully integrated sun tracking ability.

Larry Hagman, who starred as oil magnate J.R. Ewing in the long-running TV series ‘Dallas’ has called on U.S. energy consumers at the first day of the Intersolar North America trade show to put their energy, economic and environmental security under their own power by embracing solar technology made by Americans.

Satcon Technology Corporation has been selected by Enfinity to install two power stations at one of France’s largest photovoltaics (PV) solar farms in Les Mees, Alpes-Haute-Provence.

Conergy Greece has completed nine solar parks on Crete. The installations are located at different areas of the island in the Prefectures of Chania and Lasithi, and are expected to produce around 1.2 megawatts (MW) annually.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. has announced that its German affiliate Asola has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a joint venture 30 megawatt (MW) solar manufacturing plant in Ontario, Canada, to enable the production and distribution of solar modules in Canada. The Canadian partner is Evergreen Power Ltd.

Spain has opened the world’s largest solar power station, meaning that it overtakes the U.S. as the biggest solar generator in the world. The nation’s total solar power production is now equivalent to the output of a nuclear power station, reports the Guardian.

The State Building Commission has approved U.S.-based Signal Energy as the design and build contractor for the West Tennessee Solar Farm, a five megawatt (MW), 30-acre power generation facility, which when completed, will be one of the largest solar installations in the southeast.