The Solar Foundation has released an online tool to chart job creation in the U.S. solar industry by state. The State Solar Jobs Map will allow people lobbying for the wider adoption of solar photovoltaics to illustrate how many jobs are being created and where.

Despite the declining market share of thin film technologies in global photovoltaics, as the market emerges from the current downturn, opportunities will present in various niches. This was one of the key messages delivered by speakers at the Thin Film Industry Forum, held today in Berlin.

The announcement of strong earnings forecasts for the next three years, more projects acquisitions, a technology acquisition and a new efficiency record; April has already been a huge month for thin film giant First Solar. But what can be made of the recent moves? Principal Analyst at IHS Solar Stefan de Haan speaks to pv magazine.

The 5th Thin Film Industry forum is about to commence in Germany’s capital next week. With the global photovoltaic market shifting to the sunbelt regions and MENA countries, are the prospects for thin film in these parts of the world beginning to look up? Badr Ikken, Director General of Morocco’s Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energy, will be presenting at the Solarpraxis event on April 16. He shares his insights into prospects for the technology in the MENA region with pv magazine.

U.S. thin film manufacturer and project developer First Solar has taken what appears to be a major leap forward, as its share price soared on the back of 2013 financial guidance, an acquisition announcement and a major efficiency improvement.

New figures from local electricity retailer Synergy have shown that a second residential solar boom is taking place in the state of Western Australia (WA). With 2,500 customers each month installing photovoltaic arrays, the installation rate is many times higher than it was when now-defunct generous subsidies were in place.

After what has proven to be a lengthy process, a Californian solar startup has received the go-head to offer US$100 million in projects to Californian investors. Mosaic, formerly Solar Mosaic, is the startup which will offer the solar crowdfunding platform.

New research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia has drawn the conclusion that a “fully renewable” electricity system could not only be possible but cost effective. Key to the research, is that the study factors in a carbon price between AUD50 – AUD100/ton, which would make even the most efficient coal-fired plants cost uncompetitive.

The Japanese government has approved a 10% cut to photovoltaic FITs. As such, from April 1, tariffs have been reduced to JPY37.8/kWh (US$0.40) down from JPY42/kWh (US$0.45).

American thin film producer First Solar has announced the acquisition of the 150 MW Imperial County Solar Plant. It is expected to be completed in 2014.