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With its high solar radiation and growing demand for energy, North Africa is set to become a big future solar market. pv magazine spoke with expert Badr Ikken, director and co-founder of Moroccan-based National Institute IRESEN about the current situation in the region, and its potential.

Following the news that Suntech may have backed fictitious bonds, two class action lawsuits have been launched in the U.S. Meanwhile, media reports claim warnings were sent to the China Development Bank (CDB) urging it not to invest in southern Italy, due to the risk of fraud there. With an estimated debt of US$2.3 billion, there are fears Suntech will reach “breaking point” in 2013.

The South Pacific territory of Tokelau is set to become the first territory to have its electricity provided entirely by photovoltaics. The archipelago is a dependent territory of New Zealand.

First Solar released its second quarter financial results for 2012 with net sales of US$957 million. This is an increase of $460 million from the first quarter and $425 million from the second quarter of 2011. First Solar attributes the better sales primarily to an increase in number and size of projects under construction.

Chinese manufacturer ReneSola announced today that it has signed an eight MW supply agreement with one of Australia’s largest solar specialist companies, True Value Solar.

According to the liquidator, the financial position of Sovello is far worse than feared. The former CEO, Reiner Beutel has resigned from his post. Despite this, operations will continue for the time being.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has responded to EU anti-dumping trade case against Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers. MOFCOM has claimed that the aggressive pricing of Chinese modules is a result of cost reductions, economies of scale and low polysilicon prices.

The German Federal Network Agency has announced that in June alone this year, about 1.8 GW of new PV capacity was added to the grid. Reasons may have been the EEG discussions and the expiry dates for transition periods for larger systems.

2012’s first and second quarters have seen a major setback in China’s manufacturing landscape, with exports falling. Now the Chinese government is stepping in by more than doubling its long-term installation target from 20 to 50 GW by 2020.

During the Intersolar North America, held in San Francisco July 10 – 12, pv magazine took the chance to turn the spotlight on some key firms in the City and Bay Area. Part three of our series features CIGS innovator, Stion.