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The Sanyo Electric Company, a major player in the photovoltaics (PV) industry with its HIT (crystalline silicon) solar cell, has announced Japan-based Panasonic’s plans to buy the company out. A spokesperson has told pv magazine the deal has not yet been confirmed, however. Panasonic currently owns a 50.05 percent share in Sanyo.

Propelled by aggressive research and development (R&D) activities, third generation photovoltaics (PVs) are poised to take a huge leap forward, says Frost & Sullivan in a new analysis. The exploratory mass production of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)-powered consumer durables is likely to alter the future course of research in this segment, says the company.

Solarmer Energy, Inc. has recently achieved a new world record of 8.13 percent for its organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell efficiency, which has been certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Responding to demand created by India’s National Solar Mission, as well as growing demand in Europe and the U.S., Gujarat Borosil Ltd. (GBL) has started production on its low iron glass (textured), state of the art factory in Bharuch city, located in Gujarat state, western India, in order to provide glass for crystalline photovoltaics (PV) modules.

Chevron Energy Solutions, along with the city of Brea, has started construction on a 1.8 megawatt (MW) solar and energy efficiency project, in California, the U.S.

European renewable energy company, 9REN Group has received €80 million in financing for 22 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) projects in Italy with a syndicate of three banks.

Pacific Blue Energy Corp. (PBEC) has announced it is preparing to begin the permitting process for 100 acres in Gila Bend, Arizona, the U.S., the purchase of which should be completed in the near future. As a result of the town’s solar overlay policy and strong support from town officials and staff, the company says it is on track to have the first phase of its 150 megawatt (MW) solar farm approved in two to four months, as opposed to the typical time frame of two years.

U.S.-based Southern California Edison (SCE) has awarded 36 contracts to independent power producers for a total of nearly 60 megawatts (MW) from photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are due to be installed on 31 unused rooftops and five ground-mount sites in SCE’s service territory.

Hitachi Cable has invested around 500 million yen (roughly USD$5.7 million; €4.4 million) in a new production facility for photovoltaic (PV) wire at its Hitachi Cable (Johor) of Malaysia plant, in response to growing demand. Full-scale operations are expected to start next month.

Purdue University, based in the U.S. is to lead a new research center to improve photovoltaic (PV) solar cells as part of a national effort to bring alternative energy technologies to the marketplace. Boosted by USD$5 million in funding from the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), a university-research consortium for semiconductors and related technologies, the research initiative is set to team companies with university research centers to work on alternative energy technologies.