Trina Solar Limited has said it is looking to expand its annualized in-house production capacities of ingot and wafer, as well as photovoltaics (PV) cell and module production capacity by the end of next year to approximately 1.0 gigawatts (GW) and 1.5 GW respectively. It cited yield increases achieved from improved cell conversion efficiency rates, improved production efficiencies and manufacturing line enhancements as key reasons for this expansion.

Following delays, First Solar has reportedly said it expects construction to begin on its two gigawatt (GW) solar power plant in Inner Mongolia next year, according to Reuters, who was quoting China Business News.

Schott Solar PV, Inc., VE Group LLC and Affordable Solar Group LLC have today unveiled what they say is New Mexico’s largest solar array, located at The Bell Group’s headquarters’ parking structure in Albuquerque, the U.S.

Scientists at the Zentrum fur Sonnenenergie-und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research, ZSW) say they have achieved a new world record for copper, indium, gallium and diselenide (CIGS) solar cell efficiencies. At 20.3 percent, the Stuttgart researchers state that the new results should “significantly” improve the cost-effectiveness of CIGS thin film photovoltaics (PV) over the medium term.

The U.S. is expected to install around 1.9 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaics (PV) annually by 2014, according to new research, which states that the country’s market is growing at fast pace, thanks to government support and decreasing installation costs.

Over USD$4 million has been awarded to the Rockford Solar Project in Illinois, the U.S. Under the plans, the project is set to be around 62 megawatts (MW), thus making it the largest PV development in the Midwest, and one of the biggest in the U.S.

Bosch Solar Energy AG has officially opened its new 12,000 square meter crystalline solar cell production plant, the first phase in the extension of its solar production facilities in Arnstadt, Germany.

Based on a strong start to the year, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has raised its gross margin target from an estimated range of 27 to 29 percent for this fiscal year to 28 to 30 percent. The company stated that the increase in gross margin was primarily due to the “better than expected” average selling price and continuous decline in the blended cost of polysilicon, decreasing polysilicon usage per watt and continuous reduction in non-polysilicon costs.

The Supervisory Board of Germany-based Conergy AG has announced that managing director and management board member Dr. Andreas von Zitzewitz’s employment with the company has ended “with immediate effect.”

A new law has been passed in Illinois, the U.S. whereby Commonwealth Edison and Ameren must begin purchasing solar energy – as part of the renewable energy portfolio requirement – by 2012 instead of 2015. Specifically, the power industry will now be required to purchase .5 percent of its power from solar sources by June 1, 2012; 1.5 percent by June 1, 2013; 3 percent by June 1, 2014; and 6 percent by June 1, 2015, and each year thereafter.