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Despite significant financial incentives and a large project pipeline, comparatively few photovoltaic systems have been installed in Ontario thus far. The solar industry is now relying on faster approval phases, greater acceptance on the part of the banks and dynamic adjustment of the feed-in tariffs (FIT) to decline prices.

Imec and Kaneka have developed a silver-free heterojunction silicon solar cell, with a conversion efficiency of over 21 percent. Imec speaks to pv magazine about the achievement and states that the use of copper in commercial cell production could come sooner than many think.

2011 may well have been characterized by a number of controversial issues, including declining module prices, insolvencies, production cutbacks, consolidation, the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and the U.S.-China trade dispute. However, not all is lost: while many of the traditional solar markets are suffering, a number of emerging markets are working hard to fill the void.

Gestamp Solar is a Spanish-based developer and operator of utility-scale photovoltaic plants across 25 countries. To date, it has installed around 300 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics. However, as senior engineer, Rusty Sage tells pv magazine, the company is ambitious in its goal-setting and plans to implement over 1.5 gigawatts (GW) worth of projects over the next five years.

The one millionth photovoltaic system has been connected to Germany’s grid, according to the country’s solar industry association, BSW-Solar.

The U.S. may be launching an investigation into the alleged illegal dumping and subsidies of photovoltaic cells and modules from China into the U.S., but now it seems that China is conducting its very own inquiry into illegal polysilicon dumping and subsidies into the country by the U.S.

2011 has, arguably, presented photovoltaic companies with the toughest solar market challenges to date. Subsidy cuts, freefalling prices, weak demand, overcapacities, financial uncertainty, insolvencies: these factors, and many more, have conspired to test companies’ mettle. However, what has led the industry to this situation, and what is in store for 2012? According to the analysts, intensified consolidation and falling component prices, and a situation where only the vertically integrated will survive.

The Republic of Serbia and Securum Equity Partners have signed a framework agreement, under which they intend to realize a one gigawatt (GW) solar park in Serbia.

In the latest move in its campaign against the government’s halving of its feed-in tariff (FIT), the UK Solar Future campaign rallied today at the Houses of Parliament.

After an opening day that seemed somewhat overly focused on the German market, the second day provided a whistle-stop, round-the-world tour encompassing both prominent and emerging markets from Europe and beyond. The key issues to emerge were a need for more foreign investment and lobbying against other power sources.