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Following Belectric’s takeover of Konarka Technologies GmbH, the company plans to set up organic photovoltaic (OPV) production facilities in Germany in the coming months.

In a decision that will once again elevate Solyndra to headline news – this time, during the crucial days leading up to the U.S. presidential election on November 6 – U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Mary Walrath ruled on October 22 in favor of the thin film solar manufacturer’s bankruptcy exit plan.

As the PV Asia Pacific expo and conference continues today in Singapore, attendees have heard how high electricity prices and the falling cost of photovoltaics have resulted in the city-state arriving at retail grid parity for solar.

Siemens AG has announced it will no longer be active in the solar industry, and will instead focus on wind and hydro power in the field of renewables.

The maturing photovoltaic markets in Germany, Spain, France and Italy, and recent feed-in tariff cuts in a number of key markets have prompted solar investors to look for new opportunities in South-East European (SEE) nations. Romania is presenting one logical and very interesting investment alternative.

Solar lease provider and online solar entrepreneur Danny Kennedy has expanded Sungevity into nine states across the U.S., from its Oakland base. This year the company moved into the Netherlands and, this quarter, into Australia. For company founder and president Kennedy, the move has a special significance, as the expatriate Australian is bringing his business home. pv magazine spoke the charismatic entrepreneur, to find out more.

Ed Heacox, principal and co-founder of Envect Inc. talks to pv magazine about the U.S. solar market – the challenges, bankability, funding and how solar can play a role in developing smarter, more efficient grid.

By 2015, seven out of nine of the world’s leading solar module manufacturers will be China-based; and two will be U.S. firms, following a round of flameouts and takeovers in the industry, according to a report just released by Boston-based GTM Research.

Italy has a cumulative photovoltaic capacity of 15.9 GW, according to Italian network agency, GSE. However, just €241 million is left in the country’s solar subsidy coffers.

A number of U.S. solar companies, including SolarCity Inc., have been issued with subpoenas by the U.S. Department of Treasury, which is investigating the companies’ participation in the Section 1603 grant program. If irregularities are found, they could be liable to pay damages.