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GTM Research’s new report “Middle East and North Africa Solar Market Outlook, 2013-2017” forecasts that the annual solar market in MENA countries will reach nearly 3.5 GW by 2015. This will encompass 8% of total global demand in 2015. The report was supported by the Emirates Solar Industry Association.

Japanese thin film manufacturer Solar Frontier will form an investment company with the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) to provide financing for 100 MW of photovoltaic power plants a year. The company will look to finance projects currently under development and to develop projects outright, for sale to Independent Power Producers (IPP) and investors.

Japanese corporation Mitsubishi announced it has agreed to purchase a 50% stake in Toul–Rosières solar power plant tranche 1 (55MW), from EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN).

A new report from Frost & Sullivan has found that the utility scale solar power market in the U.S. will attract US$20.44 billion of investment by 2016. The report concludes that solar power is, “emerging from the shadow of conventional energy in the U.S.”

TERNA, the Italian grid operator for electricity transmission, announced today that photovoltaic power production in 2012 provided 5.6% of the total electricity demand.

In its Q3 2012 worldwide photovoltaic equipment supply report; SEMI has observed bookings remaining flat, while the book-to-bill ratio improved slightly due to a decline in billings.

Thin film producer First Solar has announced the acquisition of Santiago-based solar development company Solar Chile.

Mercom Capital has reported that global venture capital investments, in the cleantech sector, in 2012 plunged nearly 50% to US$992 million in 103 deals. US$1.9 billion was raised in 2011. The report also states that 35 solar companies filed for insolvency or bankruptcy protection in 2012.

America’s Aloha State soon may help residents to welcome solar energy into their homes at a reasonable monthly rate. The model is of wider interest as it may prove to be one where residential photovoltaics can be installed more widely, with utilities retaining their customer base.

German photovoltaic manufacturer and integrator Conergy has announced the installation of a 500 kW rooftop power plant across three roofs on the island of Fuerteventura today. When completed, the array takes the company’s installations on the islands to 14 MW.