The Nikkei business daily has reported that a feed in tariff (FIT) of 42 yen (US$0.51) per kilowatt-hour (/kWh) is likely to be recommended by the panel established to advise the Japanese government on the matter. The rate is double the retail rate of electricity – close to what the solar industry itself recommended.

In a week when major restructuring at the world’s largest thin film producer, First Solar, has been the focus, the industry has gathered to discuss prospects for the technology and market in the future.

In the wake of First Solar’s dramatic announcement that it was shedding 2,000 jobs, ending production in Germany and idling two production lines in Malaysia, the focus has turned to whether market conditions, feed in tariff cuts (FIT), or the company’s product is behind the drastic measures.

More details have emerged as to First Solar’s decision to halt its module production operations in Germany before the end of 2012. Analysts say the decision should not come as a surprise.

While the results are still to be confirmed by the German electrical grid regulator, the Bundesnetzagentur, the Financial Times Deutschland (FTD) has reported that almost two gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic capacity was added to Germany’s grid in the first quarter (Q1) of this year. The “mini boom” has been widely predicted ahead of the cuts to German remuneration, which came into effect on April 1.

The first modules have been installed on what will be Australia’s largest utility-scale power plant. The 10 megawatt (MW) plant will provide power to a desalination plant in the area.

In what will dwarf all previous photovoltaic installations in the country, the Japan Times has reported that telecommunications pioneer Softbank is planning to build a 200 megawatt (MW) power plant on the northern island of Hokkaido. It is reported that Softbank is negotiating with the Hokkaido Electric Power Company over prices for the electricity.

Using at times impassioned language, Lux Research has published a report into the 2012 photovoltaic market, which could serve as a “great awakening” for the industry. Predicting installed capacity growth of only 400 megawatt (MW) and global revenue declines from US$110 billion in 2011, to US$92 million in 2012, the report investigates solar’s future, post-subsidies.

New Jersey-based solar installer GeoGenix has launched a solar lease scheme for commercial rooftops. The deal is based around a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

German commercial research body and transmission grid operator develops software to accumulate renewable energy production data and produce more accurate forecasts. The software developed by the team in Ilmenau in central Germany, can also provide day-ahead forecasts that are updated every 15 minutes.