Markets & Policy

The Emirates Solar Industry Association has been renamed as the Middle East Solar Industry Association (Mesia) in anticipation of expected growth in the region.

The U.S. solar industry trade organization has been working behind the scenes with U.S. and Chinese government officials to draw up a plan to resolve the ongoing trade dispute and benefit both U.S. and Chinese manufacturers.

Chile has called upon India’s burgeoning renewable energy expertise to help the country implement and diversify its renewable energy sector.

Angela Merkel solidified her grip on power in Germany while losing her junior coalition party. Although an unlikely prospect, a CDU-Green team-up would likely prove the best option for Germany’s solar industry.

A report by Greenpeace India details the opportunities for PV in India’s capital. While rejecting subsidies, the report calls for the use of government buildings to achieve a 2 GW target by 2018.

REC shareholders have approved the division of the company, allowing the sale of the solar division to REC Solar ASA. They also agreed to change the name of the remaining division to REC Silicon ASA.

Leading PV manufacturers are increasingly heading to eastern markets, particularly China, according to Taiwan-based research group TrendForce.

As part of an ongoing investigation by Italian authorities into the operation of Suntech-owned Global Solar Fund, the court also ordered the confiscation of feed-in-tariffs received by GFE investees companies.

First Solar has commenced construction at its third project in California’s Imperial Valley. The 150 MW Solar Gen 2 project is expected to be completed by July 2014.

The cost of solar power in the U.S. is now 60% cheaper than it was in early 2011, according to a joint report by the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research.