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Berlin-based Soltecture GmbH is the next German photovoltaic company to file for insolvency. Attorney Hartwig Albers of law firm Brinkmann & Partner has been appointed provisional liquidator.

India’s booming population and increasing demand for energy provides one of the most positive marketplace opportunities for renewable energy, and in particular solar, in the world, according to a new report. However, there are still many issues, like financing and policy, to be addressed, leading to doubts that the 20 gigawatt (GW) solar targets can be achieved.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar has officially inaugurated the 50 megawatt (MW) Silver State North photovoltaic project, located in Nevada.

U.S.-based Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) has cancelled the auction of the going concern sale of United Solar Ovonic LLC (USO) and has discontinued the court-approved sale process, having failed to find an “acceptable” qualified bid. Around 300 employees will be let go.

Ever since the 1603 Treasury and Section 1705 loan guarantee programs expired last year, succumbing to what many characterized as premature deaths, renewable energy advocates have been inconsolable. And they haven’t suffered silently. They continue to find ways to remind the U.S. Congress that the solar sector is not receiving the support it needs to build jobs and independence from fossil fuels, or to compete on a global scale.

Like an unrepentant child confined to a “time-out” corner, China is not only irate at accusations that it has over-subsidized its solar industry and underpriced its products, but it is plotting a market rally strong enough to scuttle its competition.

Clean Power Finance, Morgan Stanley subsidiary, MS Solar Solutions Corp., and Main Street Power Company have created a new U.S. solar lease facility, which will provide funding for up to US$300 million worth of projects.

The last of Japan’s 50 nuclear reactors was shutdown over the weekend, as the country heads into the electricity-hungry summer months. With proposed feed-in tariff (FIT) rates promising healthy returns to investors, the stage appears set for a photovoltaic boom.

While the U.S.-based photovoltaics company continued to suffer losses in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012, its balance sheet showed some improvement on last year. There is still some way to go, though, before it is in the black. Issuing its full year (FY) guidance, SunPower is confident it can achieve revenues of US$2.6 billion to $3 billion, and reduce costs to $0.86 per Watt.

U.S.-based vertically integrated thin film manufacturer First Solar has posted a non-GAAP loss for the first quarter (Q1) of 2012 of US$449 million or US$5.20 per share. The company also announced new management in the shape of James Hughes as CEO and Raffi Garabedian as CTO. In related news, major construction has begun at its 550 megawatt (MW) at Topaz Solar Farms project.