According to the latest research from IMS Research, Suntech shipped more modules during the second quarter of 2010 than any other company, beating previous market leader First Solar for the first time since Q3'08.
The Czech government has given its approval for a renewables energy framework plan which aims to reduce generous subsidies driving the country towards a solar boom. The plan calls for a cap on feed-in tariffs for solar energy, up to approximately 50% of the current level, as well as making the recycling of old solar panels mandatory.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a proposed decision to launch a new renewable incentive program with the aim of driving the uptake of mid-sized renewable energy development. This next-generation feed-in tariff program will require investor-owned California utilities to purchase electricity from renewable energy systems between one and 20MW in size.
UK energy provider, British Gas, is to provide solar power for thousands of homes across the UK. The company will offer UK residents the option of free solar installation in order to benefit from cut electricity prices only, or finance solutions to cover the up-front cost of the system, delivering further rebate from the country's feed-in tariff.
Local press reports in France have pointed towards feed-in tariff cuts for solar power installations. The French government is expected to follow the trend in solar slashing to keep its policy in line with the massive price drops apparent across the industry.
Prediktor is to supply Photovoltech with the APIS Click & Trace manufacturing execution system (MES) solution for its new in-line photovoltaic cell production plant based in Tienen, Belgium.
AU Optronics (AUO) has become the first company to achieve carbon footprint verification on EcoDuo PM220P00, the multi-crystalline photovoltaic module, according to the international carbon footprint standard PAS2050.
TÜV Rheinland has now officially opened its seventh solar modules and systems testing laboratory, based in Electronics City in the Indian city of Bangalore. TÜV invested €2 million in the new solar test centre, which will offer services to India's burgeoning solar industry.
PVA TePla has received a €5 million order from China-based Tianwei New Energy Wafer for the supply of systems for the production of multicrystalline silicon ingots. The order will be processed in 2010.
UPS2, the newly formed ultra-precision engineering group, has developed an advanced machine which enables Fresnel lens manufacturers to improve the efficiencies of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules.
