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In its 2012 Annual Report, the Desertec Industry Initiative (Dii) has acknowledged the challenges it faces in attracting investment to North Africa and the Middle East. It therefore has set out a new focus, which aims to facilitate the integration of the EU and MENA energy markets.

The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) has announced that it will work to support the NY-Sun initiative in the state. The body wants to see a longer-term commitment to the initiative and is lobbying for four policy changes to see photovoltaics supported in the state.

Photovoltaics will see expansion during 2013, but those who are looking to invest globally must study the landscape and take astute risks – exemplifying the attitude, “No guts, no glory.” A local presence in key developed regions, including the U.S., Japan and China, will pay dividends, according to Lux Research, particularly in terms of distributed generation.

The Indian solar market appeared to have some momentum until it initiated an anti-dumping investigation against China, Malaysia, Taiwan and the U.S. For a solar market still in its infancy, starting a trade war could become a costly distraction when the focus should be to encourage new technologies, competition and free markets.

The Western Australian branch of the Australian Green party, the WA Greens, has released its Energy 2029 plan today, which promotes a 100% renewable future for the resource-rich state. As a part of a plan, an inland site has been earmarked for a large CSP project.

Swiss CIGS developer Flisom has closed a third funding round, which will allow it to develop a 15 MW production line, to refine its roll-to-roll CIGS processes.

Photovoltaic demand in the APAC (Asia Pacific) region is expected to increase 50% year-on-year. However, analysts warn that business strategies must be tailored to the individual countries, following the emergence of “discrete” end-market demand environments.

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. has announced its financial results for 2012’s fourth quarter (4Q2012). The solar energy segment revenue growth was fueled by higher solar project sales while the company’s semiconductor materials segment revenue decreased as a result of the industry downturn.

Phoenix Solar AG has unveiled a major restructuring plan, which will see it focusing the majority of its efforts on the U.S. and South East Asia. Significant capacity reductions in Germany, Spain and Italy will be implemented. From a workforce of 409, just 115 jobs will remain. Meanwhile, the CEO has resigned.

A Cambridge-based developer of a pay-as-you-go photovoltaic system for sub-Saharan Africa has secured a £1 million (US$1.6 million) “working capital loan” to roll out its systems to 30,000 off-grid households.