For the first time, the internationally renowned Italian video artist and artistic consultant to the fashion label Louis Vuitton, Fabrizio Plessi, has dared to address a topic bridging the gap between art and photovoltaics, placing these two apparent opposites in relation to each other. The unusual project – a large-sized video installation entitled MONUMENTA located in the temple ruins of the Sicilian city of Agrigento – connects the content of antique philosophy with the achievements of modern technology. To do this, Plessi has integrated nine monumental, accessible tower constructions made out of tuff into the antique ruins in the valley of temples from Agrigento in Sicily. In the towers, video installations can be seen, taking up the world view of the antique philosopher Empedocles and dealing with the forces of nature: fire, water, air and earth. The PV modules installed on the roof deliver electricity free of emissions and provide the work of art with an entirely new dimension. MONUMENTA can be seen until 5 November 2012 on the grounds of the “Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento” (Sicily). At Intersolar the artist will be presenting his innovative artistic approach to the global audience of specialists.

Sunrun Inc., the leading provider of residential solar-power systems in the U.S., plans to raise $100 million through debt or an initial share sale, adding to the $60 million in funding investors awarded it last week.

On May 30th, 2012 Hanwha SolarOne Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) released financial results for the first quarter of 2012, reporting an 18% sequential decrease in revenues to USD 128 million, a -27% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 48.2 million.

Q.Cells North America has successfully completed the final stage of construction of a 69 megawatt (MW) direct-current (DC) solar energy project in Ontario, Canada. The project was completed in partnership with a private investment firm focused on energy infrastructure projects. With the SSM3 plant now operational, Q.Cells has about 15% of the Ontario utility-scale solar market.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE), China’s second-biggest solar-panel maker, expects domestic sales to increase by 36 percent this year as the country’s subsidy program accelerates.

LDK Solar Co. (LDK) (LDK), the world’s second- largest maker of solar wafers, lost 38 percent of its market value in four trading days as analysts cut estimates today and questioned whether its balance sheet can withstand a global oversupply and threats from U.S. tariffs.

The detailed Conference Programme of the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (27th EU PVSEC), taking place from 24 to 28 September 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany, has been published online. The international Scientific Committee, made up of more than 200 leading experts from the global PV community, reviewed and scored the record number of 1,843 abstracts, applying for presentation, to compose the programme of the world’s leading Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference. Under the guidance of Conference General Chairman Dr. Stefan Nowak, Chairman of IEA PVPS, International Energy Agency, Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme, and coordinated by the Technical Programme Chairman Dr. Arnulf Jäger-Waldau, European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre, the Conference Programme was finalized, featuring 86 Conference Sessions with 333 Keynote, Plenary, Oral and more than 1,300 Visual Presentations.

Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. ("SolarOne" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: HSOL), a vertically integrated manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers and photovoltaic ("PV") cells and modules in China, today reported its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 am Eastern Time (8:00 pm Shanghai Time) on May 30, 2012. A slide presentation with details of the results will also be available on the Company's website prior to the call.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers, which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar," today announced its unaudited consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Toshiba Corp. said Tuesday it will provide 100 million yen in capital to Fukushima Solar Inc., which plans to start solar power generation in disaster-hit Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.

CentroPlan, a joint venture of CENTROSOLAR Group AG and Pohlen Bedachungen GmbH, is currently planning one hundred PV roof systems with an aggregate output of 8 MWp on the outlets of a South German discount grocery chain, to be installed by Pohlen Solar, a fully-owned subsidiary of Pohlen Bedachungen. Unlike previous reference projects for industrial and commercial buildings, this latest large-scale project is less about feed-in than about generating power for internal consumption. The retail outlets will meet up to 45 percent of their electricity requirements with their own roof-mounted solar systems, which will generally have an output of around 80 kWp. Even at the wholesale prices that trade and industry can expect, it is worth their while to generate their own power thanks to the sharply reduced cost of PV technology, especially when the expected annual increases in electricity prices are built into the equation.

The PV project, which covers 3.85 acres of rooftop, is currently the largest solar PV system on Rocky Mountain Power's entire electric grid. It is also the largest solar array in the State of Utah.

On May 24th, 2012, Bella Energy (Denver, Colorado, U.S.) announced that it has completed a 1.65 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array atop the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The PV project, which covers 3.85 acres of rooftop, is currently the largest solar PV system on Rocky Mountain Power's entire electric grid. It is also the largest solar array in the State of Utah.

UK clean generation developer TGC Renewables has commenced installation of a 3.6MW photovoltaic (PV) plant in South West England.

The 8.32 hectare site in Devon will see 14,700 panels erected for one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country.

It is expected to be fully operational by the end of July.

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) - a joint venture formed between Qatar Solar (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development), SolarWorld AG and Qatar Development Bank - has signed a financing agreement for its $1 billion polysilicon manufacturing plant.

Australia’s A$200 million ($196 million) renewable energy venture capital fund is set to unveil its first two investments in the solar and biofuels industries by the end of September.

More than 40,000 Canadian Solar modules were installed on an area spanning 153,000 square meters within the period of a few weeks. The project contractor was Frankfurter Entsorgungs- und Service GmbH (FES). Onsite construction was carried out by the Sinusstrom GmbH. The solar park is operated by the RMS Rhein-Main Solarpark GmbH, a joint subsidiary of the Stadtwerke Dreieich and the FES. The project allocated 25 percent of the modules for use as a public participation solar park, administered by the Solar Initiative Marburg e.V.

Chinese solar panel shipments to North America may be cut by 75 percent this year because of an anti-dumping ruling by the U.S. Commerce Department, according to IHS Inc. (IHS)

TGC Renewables, an independent renewable energy project developer, has begun construction on one of the largest UK solar projects in the UK, to date.

Greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2010, as a result of both economic recovery in many countries after the 2009 recession and a colder winter. Nonetheless, emissions growth was somewhat contained by continued strong growth in renewable energy sources. These figures from the greenhouse gas inventory published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today confirm earlier EEA estimates.

The South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) awarded an 88 megawatt (MWDC) photovoltaic (PV) project to SolarReserve, the Kensani Group, and Intikon Energy. This latest project is the third for SolarReserve, totaling 238 MW and accounting for a 20 percent share of South Africa’s solar energy market. The Jasper Solar Energy Project, located in the Northern Cape of South Africa, was developed in response to the DOE’s second bidding window for the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

In statements on Tuesday 22/5/2012, Younis said that solar energy has many positive aspects in terms of environment protection, lower greenhouse effects and more protection of natural resources.

The U.S. Commerce Department set punitive tariffs last Thursday after ruling in favor of the local firms that said Chinese exporters were dumping cut-price panels on their market.

German solar installations more than tripled in the first quarter from a year ago as developers rushed to take advantage of subsidies before they’re cut in the world’s biggest market for the technology, the federal grid regulator said.

The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) is looking at adjusting the feed-in-tariff (FiT) for renewable energy (RE) before it calls for the next round of quote in July/ August 2012 as there is an imbalance in the RE resource mix.

China Sunergy today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. The quarterly results reflected a net loss, as expected, shipments at high end of guidance, and progress in reducing cell and module conversion costs. Results reflected strong demand in Germany, Australia and Bulgaria, and an overall increase in demand from emerging markets.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, D-Md., has signed into law the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard for Solar Energy and Solar Water Heating Systems bill (S.B.791 and H.B.1187), which accelerates the target date for achieving the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) 2% solar carve-out by two years.

"We are... in talks with our banks to extend our loan agreements so that we can get through this period," Chief Executive Ole Enger said.

Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HAR), Africa’s third-largest producer of the metal, plans a solar-power plant with partners in the north of South Africa, where a lack of generating capacity has forced companies to cut electricity use.

Sunrun Inc. has a message for homeowners who are contemplating going solar: It’s cheaper and easier than you think.

Diversified business conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra today said it is targeting to commission over 100 megawatts of solar power projects across India over the next 2-3 years along with with its partner Kiran Energy.

California regulators expanded a program that forces utilities to buy solar electricity generated by homeowners and businesses.

The United States hit Chinese solar companies with anti-dumping tariffs of about 31 percent last week, further denting the outlook for an industry grappling with falling margins, oversupply and subsidy cuts in top European markets.

"We believe our new De Vernejoul manufacturing facility, located at the heart of major European solar markets, allows us to supply the world's highest efficiency solar panels to our customers," said SunPower Chief Operating Officer Marty Neese.

The feed-in tariff will fall to 16 pence per KW hour from 21p on 1 August, not on 1 July as previously announced. It will then fall every three months, depending on market conditions.

Vodacom has announced that it is fitting its Century City office in Cape Town with close to 2,000 mono-crystalline solar panels, which will cover the 3,600 square-meter roof of the building.

The solar array will be completed by August and is expected to provide up to 75% of all power required by the building during peak production.

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd , China's largest polysilicon and wafer maker, said on Monday it plans to expand its solar farm business in China, the United States and in emerging markets.

Declining investments, lower prices and the uncertain future of government subsidies will result in more consolidation among renewable-energy companies over the next year, according to Ernst & Young LLP.

German solar power plants produced a world record 22 gigawatts of electricity – equal to 20 nuclear power stations at full capacity – through the midday hours of Friday and Saturday, the head of a renewable energy think tank has said.

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products, today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2012.

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest producer of solar panels, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Total and its affiliate SunPower(1) (NASDAQ: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced the commissioning of a new photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing and assembly plant in the De Vernejoul industrial park in Porcelette, Eastern France.

LDK Solar Co., Ltd. ("LDK Solar") (NYSE: LDK), a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) products, issues the following statement regarding the preliminary antidumping duty decision by the US Department of Commerce (DOC).

DEGERenergie is reinforcing its activities in North America. With immediate effect, Felix Freudenberg is responsible for sales as the Sales Director North America. With more than 47,000 systems installed worldwide in 46 countries, DEGERenergie is the global market leader for solar tracking systems. The company maintains its own production facility and a sales location in Phoenix, Arizona.

Photovoltaic (PV) modules produced by Martifer Solar using Saint-Gobain Solar’s SolarBond® InFrame on traditional four-piece frames have met the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) criteria for the safety performance of crystallline silicone (c-Si) terrestrial PV modules. This accomplishment, in addition to the recent passage of modules using SolarBond® InFrame on Saint-Gobain’s single-piece frames, verifies that the framing solution provides the necessary adhesive durability for solar modules.

On May 21st, 2012 Petra Solar Inc. (South Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.) announced that it has signed an agreement with Bahrain's National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA, Hoora, Bahrain), the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO, Awali, Bahrain) and Caspian Energy Holdings LLC (Washington D.C., U.S.) to build a 5 MW distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) project at several locations in Bahrain.

Kyocera Solar Inc. says it has begun shipments of 34 MW of its solar modules for the 127 MW Arlington Valley Solar Energy II project, which is located in Maricopa County, Ariz.

Much of Israel is covered by desert with favorable conditions for harnessing the sun's energy, and while Israeli firms have developed a number of pioneering technologies used around the world, the country has yet to invest heavily in solar fields at home.

Anesco Ltd., a U.K. developer of renewable energy projects, plans to help build about 50 megawatts of large-scale solar parks in Britain, its chief executive officer said.

US company Ascent Solar has partnered with China’s Shenzhen Radiant Enterprise and Third Railway Survey and the Design Institute Group Corporation (TSDI) to promote the use of solar technology in Chinese public transport.

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas emerged as a major winner in South Africa's latest tender round for new renewable energy projects designed to boost the country's energy security and drive down emissions.

The Press Agency Krampitz is showing its PR Handbook for New Energies at the joint stand for young, innovative companies at the trade fair Intersolar Europe. The work, at 230 pages, is the first handbook on press and public relations especially for the international renewable energies sector worldwide.

The Press Agency Krampitz is publishing a new guide for press relations work in the renewable energies sector in January 2012. The 230 page publication explains to managing directors and employees in charge of marketing and PR from biomass, solar and wind companies how they should select and link PR measures, find the correct topics and the appropriate target media and prepare an action plan for media work.

Fluor Corporation announced today that it has completed construction for LDK Solar’s polysilicon plant in Xinyu City, China, one of the largest such production facility in the world. Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction management services for the plant, which produces solar-grade silicon for the photovoltaic industry.

JinkoSolar today announced it will provide modules for a 50 megawatt (MW) solar project operated by state-owned renewable energy development company GSHHSD in northwestern China. Expected to come online within the year, the project marks a key contribution to China's renewable energy production goal of 15 gigawatts (GW) by 2015.

South Korea's top polysilicon maker OCI said on Friday it would delay investing 1.8 trillion won ($1.6 billion)to build a new polysilicon production plant due to the worsening European economic crisis and weak global solar market.

SolarEdge Technologies, a leading global provider of end-to-end solar power optimization systems and monitoring solutions, announced today the milestone of one million power optimizers shipped worldwide. SolarEdge established the market for distributed solar power optimization and is leading the market with over 70% share.

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (“GCL-Poly”, “the Group”, stock code: 3800.HK) entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with ISOFOTON S.A. (“ISOFOTON”), a global leader in solar solutions with over 30 years of experience, pursuant to which both parties will jointly speed up the development and utilisation of solar energy and promote the application of clean energy.

Q.CELLS expands   its  footprint   in  the  Bulgarian photovoltaic  market.  The international photovoltaic  company  will deliver solar  modules  with a total output   of  11  MWp to  its  partner   FILKAB JSC,  a  leading  Bulgarian   electro  company.   Moreover, Q.CELLS will deliver further  5 MWp of the same  module  types to SOLARPRO HOLDING, the biggest EPC company  in Bulgaria.  FILKAB plans  to build  solar installations with around  46,800  crystalline solar modules  of the Q.PRO series  in the Bulgarian  towns Brezovo, Sliven, Staro Zhelezare,  Tvarditsa and  Nova Zagora by the  end  of May 2012. SOLARPRO HOLDING plans  to realize  a 5 MWp project in the  town of Dobrich  using  21,300 Q.CELLS modules. All together  the  solar  parks  planned will have an energy output  of about  20,000 MWh per year and will generate as much  electricity  as being consumed by 5,500 households as well as save 9.2  million tons CO2 per annum.

After carefully studying the deployment figures of solar PV, it is clear that the UK market has stalled since 1st April [2], when new energy efficiency criteria came into effect for the Feed-in Tariff (FIT). Total installed capacity for the past four weeks was 17MW [3], against a four-weekly average of 71MW over the past year.

Satcon Technology Corporation® (NASDAQ CM: SATC), a leading provider of utility-scale power conversion solutions for the renewable energy market, today announced that it has been selected by Western Wind and Lord Electric to supply 30 megawatts (MW) of its Equinox Prism Platform solution, a fully integrated multi-megawatt medium voltage (MV) building block, optimized for utility-scale PV installations.

Emmvee Solar, the makers of Solarizer water heaters, will get into solar photovoltaic (PV) power project development in India by the end of this year.

The 2.1 MW project is Trina Solar's largest off-grid system project in China in recent years, following the construction of approximately 40 standalone power stations in 2002 in the Chamdo region of Tibet.

Conergy AG (CGYK), a German solar-panel maker, won orders to develop two photovoltaic power plants in the Trier area, including at a former military site.

Moser Baer India Ltd, the nation’s largest solar manufacturer, slumped to the lowest in more than 13 years in Mumbai trading after saying it will restructure $738 million (around Rs. 3,970 crore today) of loans and bonds.

The plants are both ground mounted and are 4MW and 5.6MW by size. They are located in Oberröblingen, 100 kilometers west of Leipzig, and Rätzlingen, 100 kilometers from Hamburg respectively. ET Solutions AG, ET Solar's wholly owned subsidiary, performed full engineering, procurement and construction tasks with all PV modules sourced from ET Solar's China plant.

Welspun Group, the country's largest solar power developer, has won a 125 MW solar photovoltaic project in Madhya Pradesh, a top company official said today.
"We bid Rs 8.05 per unit to bag the 125 megawatts (MW) out of 200 MW that was auctioned by the Madhya Pradesh government," Welspun Energy Ltd Managing Director Vineet Mittal said.

In the first three months of 2012, SolarWorld AG increased its shipments of solar power modules and complete kits in the 'Trade' segment. On the German market in particular, the demand for solar modules and system solutions rose due to the unexpectedly early and significant cuts in subsidies. On a groupwide level, the 'Trade' shipments increased by 48 percent to 146 (Q1 2011: 99) MW. In the segment 'Production Germany,' which is largely dominated by the wafer business, the company did not make any significant shipments. Groupwide shipments of wafers and solar modules reached 147 (Q1 2011: 185) MW. In light of the strong business in Germany, the groupwide foreign share of shipments decreased to 45 (Q1 2011: 77) percent.

'Renewable energies remain one of the most important growth sectors in Germany,' said Lars Quandel, Head of Renewables Sales at HSH Nordbank. He added that despite increasing competitive pressure among suppliers, the underlying sentiment within the sector remains positive. This was evidenced once again during talks held with investors and project developers at the Hannover Trade Fair that ended recently. The sector's momentum is also reflected in the business performance of HSH Nordbank's Renewables unit. 'Since the middle of last year and with the introduction of our new business model, there has been a steady rise in the number of enquiries for finance that we have received,' said Lars Quandel. At present, HSH Nordbank is financing more than 170 renewable energy projects with a total volume of around three billion euros. Of this figure, around 60 percent are accounted for by wind energy projects and 40 percent by solar facilities. The Bank aims to almost double its new business in the Renewables sector to one billion euros this year. Last year, the Bank's new business in this sector came to some 500 million euros.

SNEC PV Power Expo (China),  Solarexpo (Italy) and Solar Power International (U.S.) announced this week the formation of the Global Solar Alliance (GSA), an initiative creating a global network of solar trade events and conferences for the worldwide development of the solar industry and markets; engendering collaboration and exchange of information among the professional community; as well as raising consciousness of the benefits of solar to the general public and political decision makers.

Final figures for the financial year 2011
In the financial year 2011, Phoenix Solar AG experienced a decline in the sale of solar modules of 18 percent to 257 MWp (2010: 313 MWp). The slump in prices, which was as much as 40 percent, caused consolidated revenues to fall disproportionately by 38.1 percent to EUR 393.5 million (2010: EUR 635.7 million). Whereas domestic business declined by 64.2 percent to EUR 168.5 million, international revenues rose by 36.8 percent to EUR 225.0 million (2010: EUR 164.5 million), corresponding to a share of 57.2 percent of total revenues (2010: 25.9 percent). Business outside Europe developed particularly well, rising to EUR 37.2 million (2010: EUR 2.2 million).

Hamburg-based Conergy sees first successes in the first quarter 2012 from the strategic realignment as system supplier as well as the restructuring measures implemented in 2011. Quality of earnings and important key financial indicators have improved in the first three months of 2012. Especially the overall decline in prices negatively affected sales year-on-year, as expected. Conergy increased flexibility and kept the gross profit margin stable due to the reduced vertical manufacturing depth and the current module production setup in Frankfurt (Oder). Conergy reduced EBITDA losses by a third through improved cost structures. Net cash flow was positive in the first quarter. This is the best figure in a first quarter since the IPO in 2005.

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or "the Company") announced that it has entered into a supply agreement with Longyuan (Tibet) New Energy Co., Ltd. ("Longyuan (Tibet)") to supply an off-grid solar system project in the Northern Tibetan region of Naqu. The agreement marks an important milestone for Trina Solar in the domestic market, where the Company is expanding its commercial presence.

Satcon Technology Corp. has been selected by China-based GCL Solar Energy to supply 45 of its Equinox 500 kW inverters, along with over 1,900 Satcon Solstice Subcombiners, 680 SSC Smart Subcombiners and 64 medium-voltage transformers.

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest producer of solar panels, and Krannich Solar, a leading value added distributor of complete systems, components and pre-packaged systems, announced an agreement for Suntech to supply up to 120 megawatts of solar panels in 2012.

The Italian government may delay the introduction of a new bill reducing premium tariffs and spending targets for solar energy by three months, according to a Deutsche Bank AG analyst.

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reported to the nation's parliament that India has installed 979 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants to date, 655 MW of which is located in the state of Gujarat.

The acquisition of Leybold Optics by Bühler announced in early April has been approved without any restrictions by the competent anti-trust authorities. Both companies are highly satisfied by this outcome and look forward to achieving the envisioned growth targets together.

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) today announced that James Hughes has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Hughes succeeds Mike Ahearn, First Solar's founder and Chairman, who has been serving as interim CEO since Oct. 2011. Hughes joined First Solar in March as Chief Commercial Officer. Ahearn will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board.

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) today announced the retirement of Dave Eaglesham, Chief Technology Officer, and the appointment of Raffi Garabedian as his successor. Garabedian joined First Solar in 2008 as Director of Disruptive Technologies, and was promoted to Vice President of Advanced Technologies in 2010, overseeing the Company's advanced research and development (R&D) operations in Santa Clara, Calif.

Phoenix Solar AG (ISIN DE000A0BVU93, Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange) has successfully concluded negotiations on a new financing package with a volume totalling EUR 132 million and a term through to the end of March 2014. The centrepiece is a new syndicated loan agreement signed today consisting of cash and guarantee facilities of a total volume of around EUR 100 million with the existing banking syndicate under the lead management of BayernLB. The financing volume fully covers that required for operations in the context of planning through to 31 March 2014. Negotiations on refinancing became necessary as the negative business development in the financial year 2011 meant that Phoenix Solar no longer fulfilled the covenants of the previous syndicated loan agreement.

The state got its first megawatt-capacity solar power plant operational on Thursday. Situated in village Sandauli of Barabanki, the 2 MW project was inaugurated by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the state government would promote the non-conventional source of energy. "The state budget will have provisions that will cater to the sector in all possible ways," said Akhilesh.

Solarworld AG (SWV), Germany’s biggest solar-panel maker, surged the most in six months in Frankfurt trading after reporting first-quarter results that were almost twice as high as analyst estimates

Pakistan has a potential to generate over 2.324 million megawatts electricity per annum through solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, and industrialists should enter this sector to overcome prevailing energy crisis, said Vice Chancellor Hamdard University Dr Nasim A Khan.

Gero Solarpark GmbH's 28-megawatt (MW) solar power plant was inaugurated in Amsdorf, Germany (near Halle) today, with Saxony-Anhalt Prime Minister Dr. Reiner Haseloff in attendance. The project is a joint venture set up by Getec Green Energy AG and the Romonta Group.

Solar products maker Canadian Solar Inc may follow bigger rivals First Solar Inc and LDK Solar Co Ltd in cutting jobs to lower costs to offset a sharp fall in selling prices.

Canadian Solar shares, which have fallen about 67 percent in the past year, rose 9 percent to $3.50 in morning trading on the Nasdaq.

First Solar Inc. (FSLR) (FSLR) Chief Executive James Hughes, who last week was promoted from chief commercial officer, will receive a 36 percent increase in salary in his new position.

ReneSola Ltd. (Jiashan, China) released financial results for the first quarter of 2012, reporting a 13% sequential increase in revenues to USD 211 million, a -18% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 40.2 million.

The company also reports a 37% increase in wafer and module shipments to 466 MW. Wafer shipments increased 53% sequentially during the quarter to 375 MW, while module sales declined 4% to 91 MW.

Canadian Solar Inc., the world's fifth-largest maker of solar modules, plans to build a plant in Japan as soon as fiscal 2013 to become the first foreign company to produce solar panels here, company sources said.

Saudi Arabia is seeking investors for a $109 billion plan to create a solar industry that generates a third of the nation’s electricity by 2032, according to officials at the agency developing the plan.

The world’s largest crude oil exporter aims to have 41,000 megawatts of solar capacity within two decades, said Maher al- Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Khalid al-Suliman, vice president for the organization known as Ka-care, said on May 8 in Riyadh that nuclear, wind and geothermal would contribute 21,000 megawatts.

The German parliament's upper house suspended the government's proposed cuts in subsidies for the solar power industry on Friday and referred them to a mediation committee, in a setback for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.

Richard Dalla-Riva, Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations, Manufacturing, Exports and Trade of the Australian state of Victoria, visited DEGERenergie’s manufacturing partner Kiewa Valley Engineering KVE in Wodonga. The objective of the visit was to get informed about KVE’s partnership with the German global market leader and their solar tracking solutions.