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Solarpraxis’ Quality for Photovoltaic systems conference kicked off this morning in Berlin, Germany. On the one hand, discussions have centered around where the industry needs to improve standards, and on the other, where quality claims cost excessive money.

As part of its reorganization process, centrotherm photovoltaics AG has sold centrotherm SiTec GmbH’s subsidiary, Michael Glatt Maschinenbau GmbH to Germany’s Büechl Handels- und Beteiligungs-KG.

Principal Solar, Inc. a publicly traded solar energy holding company executing a unique roll-up strategy to create the world’s first distributed solar utility, today announced the acquisition of a 3.5MW solar project slated for Andover, Mass. from SunGen and R&D Solar.

Legislation that would have provided customers of California’s three major utilities – Southern California Edison (SCE) San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) – with access to virtual, net-metered photovoltaic energy was blocked in the state’s Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce on August 31.

Taiwanese semiconductor giant, TSMC announced today that modules with efficiencies reaching 14.2% are rolling off its lines. TSMC produces CIGS thin film modules, utilizing technology licensed from Californian startup, Stion.

Solon Corporation’s new VP and GM of power plants, Jared Schoch discusses his plans for growing the company’s North American photovoltaic business, the financing landscape in the region, and the impact of Microsol’s recent takeover of Solon SE with pv magazine.

On the back of 180% market growth in 2011, the latest industry figures indicate that microinverter and power optimizer shipments will grow over 70% in 2012. By 2016, they are expected to comprise 10% of the photovoltaic inverter market. Three suppliers currently dominate the landscape.

Spain-based Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) plans to install a 20 MW photovoltaic plant near Canberra, Australia, having won the country’s first large-scale solar reverse auction, held by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government.

Spain-based Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente has announced plans to downsize its photovoltaic equipment plant in Puertollano, Ciudad Real, in order to “adapt resources and labor costs to the activity in the photovoltaic sector”. 290 jobs will be cut.

Chinese government officials have used economic cooperation talks between Germany and China, to raise the topic that a bilateral solution could be reached between the 2 countries to avoid a potential photovoltaic trade war.