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Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente S.A. has announced it will develop a six megawatt (MW) ground-mounted photovoltaic project in Ecuador. Expected to be executed over two stages, it is scheduled for completion in 2013. A further five MW rooftop project is in the pipeline.

Heliatek GmbH has achieved what it says is a world record efficiency of 10.7 percent on a 1.1 cm squared organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell. The results have been measured by Germany-based testing facility, SGS. Heliatek will begin production of its modules this year.

Solar cell and module manufacturer, China Sunergy, posted significant losses in 2011. Despite this, the Chinese company plans to ramp cell capacity up to one gigawatt (GW).

The first 100 megawatts (MW) of the 290 MW Agua Caliente Solar Project have been completed and grid connected. It is said to be North America’s largest operating photovoltaic plant.

At its annual press conference, Bosch says despite the difficult market conditions, sales and profitability for the company have increased: overall, its Industrial Technology business showed the strongest growth. However, due to declining photovoltaics costs, its solar business was significantly affected, leading the company to record a negative EBIT.

In a new report presented to Ministers at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said photovoltaics must embrace market diversification if it is to maintain its growth trajectory. Overall, it believes clean energy will deliver substantial savings to countries across the globe, however, these savings are currently not on track to be realized by 2050.

The feed-in tariffs (FITs) for new photovoltaic installations up to 100 kilowatt peak (kWp) in France will decrease in the second quarter 2012, for the fifth consecutive time. Over the course of 12 months, they have decreased by more than 30 percent.

The Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) will close its last multicrystalline wafer plant in Herøya, Norway. Around 460 employees will be affected. The company has also released its first quarter (Q1) 2012 results.

The Washington, DC-based think-tank, Brookings warned this month that U.S. investment in clean tech is facing a drop in subsidies in the coming two years, in a new report that included extensive coverage of the solar market.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has unveiled its plans to offer a new clean energy program, the “Green Option”, which aims to promote the use of renewable energy. The U.S. utility has asked the California Public Utilities Commission to approve it by early 2013.