Solar-industry pioneer BP-Solar has halted all of its solar operations, while continuing to pursue other renewable-energy technologies such as wind and biofuels. The decision to abandon its solar efforts was made in December 2011, with the company informally releasing the information in the following months.

SMA Solar Technology AG has officially opened its new photovoltaic sales and service subsidiary in Japan’s Tokyo. While the small system market will be focused on initially, the German manufacturer will offer inverters to larger projects in the future.

During a conference held in Brussels last week, George Papaconstantinou, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of the Hellenic Republic, unveiled Greece’s plans for the massive 10 gigawatt (GW) photovoltaic project.

A new report looking at the building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass market predicts that its market value will rise by at least 400 percent over the next five years. It also highlights the firms to watch and explains why Suntech could transform the market.

While it has only been a matter of months since all lines were opened at its 900
megawatt (MW) Kunitomi production facility, CIGS-module manufacturer, Solar Frontier has been selected for a Japanese government subsidy to construct a new fab. The subsidy is a part of the government’s Great East Earthquake recovery effort.

SolarWorld has once again has managed to exceed the €1 bilion revenue mark. Despite this, the company recorded massive EBIT losses in 2011.

Both industry and politicians alike have reacted with outrage at Germany’s new FIT plans. According to one analyst, EPC players will be the hardest hit. However, there is still time for changes. The question is, will they be for the better or worse? On one side are the politicians calling for further cuts, and on the other, is the “20 percent” hope that improvements could still be made.

Italian photovoltaic panel manufacturer, MX Group has been awarded the exclusive EPC contract for the design and construction of a one gigawatt (GW) solar farm that will extend over an area of 3,000 acres in Serbia.

Solyndra’s failed CIGs factory is up for sale. Jones Lang LaSalle has been engaged to market the building, located in Fremont, California.

Details have emerged today that BP Solar will withdraw from the consortium that was successful in bidding to install the Moree Solar Farm, under a Government solar program. The photovoltaic power project is partly Government-funded and is be 150 megawatt (MW) in capacity.