U.S.-based vertically integrated solar producer and project developer SunEdison has announced closure on $130 million in debt financing for its 69.5 MW PV power plant in Chile. The Javiera plant has been financed by local banks CorpBanca and BBVA.

Solar Power International (SPI) organizers SEPA and SEIA have released some key info about the forthcoming trade show. With the show set to cover some 200,000 square feet (61,000 square meters) a key piece of advice from the organizers is to wear sensible shoes.

30 remote indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory are set to add 10 MW of PV capacity in a AUD$55 million (US$47.8 million) program. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the NT government will both provide funding for the program, both contributing AUD$27.5 million (US$23.9 million).

A new solar fund has launched in the U.S. Wunder, backed by the Boulder Techstars accelerator program in Colorado, has launched a $1 million solar fund for investors. The fund is already 50% subscribed.

The Melbourne Zoo has been certified carbon neutral, making it the world’s first to do so. A 100 kW solar array and energy efficient lighting were key contributors to this ambitious sustainability target. The zoo sourced 390 modules from Hanwha Q CELLS for the installation.

Solar lease provider SolarCity has announced that it will introduce a solar loan product in the U.S. In a unique approach, customers will pay off the loan in a similar fashion to how they would a lease, in that customers will pay for the kWh produced by the solar array.

Solar industry analysts IHS has revised down its 2014 installed capacity forecast by 1.5 GW, despite a strong Q4. The 45.4 GW to be added for the year will represent a 20% growth on 2013.

Two weeks ago the PV industry organization IPVEA became Solar United. The International PV Equipment Association (IPVEA) had represented the upstream solar business since 2008 and Managing Director Bryan Ekus says that the change in tack was at the behest of its members. Some industry observers are more skeptical of the move, saying that attempts to create a global PV association are bound to fail.

Two weeks ago today, the 29th EU PVSEC trade show and conference opened its doors in Amsterdam. The trade show has continued to shrink, but the event still provides some key insights into where PV is heading in terms of technology directions and equipment supply.

ZSW head Michael Powalla discusses the processes that led researchers to the 21.7% CIGS efficiency record.