Italy’s next renewable energy law, the Conto Energia V could soon be approved. It is believed that most of the regional state rejections should be taken into account, and that a gradual transition will be adopted.

According to reports, an agreement on Germany’s photovoltaic subsidies could be reached before the summer break. A decision was said to have been made at a meeting between new Environment Minister, Altmaier, and opposition and state politicians, yesterday, June 25.

Solarwatt has said that by the end of July, it will submit a restructuring plan, with the expectation that the process will be completed by the end of September. Furthermore, its module warranty has been secured.

First Solar Inc. has announced it will keep its manufacturing facilities in Germany’s Frankfurt (Oder) up and running until the end of the year, due to the short-term increase in demand. After this, the facilities will be permanently closed.

Photovoltaics accounted for around ten percent of Germany’s energy supply in May, according to the country’s Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW).

Talks with an investor, which should, in the short term, eliminate the debt of Solarwatt AG, have failed. As such, the photovoltaic company will probably have to register for insolvency with the District Court. Update: In-house restoration is sought.

The insolvency process has begun for Germany’s Solarhybrid AG.

Part of First Solar Inc.’s German workforce has said it wants to continue producing the manufacturer’s photovoltaic thin film modules, according to media reports. However, in the future they will only make modules for small rooftop systems.

SolarWorld AG is expected to shed around ten percent of its 3,300 strong workforce, according to reports. Chinese “dumping” prices have been cited as a key reason.

Germany’s Federal Network Agency has once again quietly released the new photovoltaic installation capacities. Overall 1.8 gigawatts (GW) were installed in the country in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012.