Microsemi Corporation and Germany-based Spelsberg, in conjunction with its partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, have announced the development of a disruptive new technology for photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. The technology was demonstrated at this year’s Intersolar North America, held in San Francisco, the U.S.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has presented a South Dakota State University researcher with a grant of USD$400,000 — USD$80,000 per year for the next five years, in order to build new high-performance organic solar cells with increased efficiency.

It is time for the U.S. to implement feed-in tariffs (FITs), according to representatives of the state and regional solar industry associations, who met during last week’s Intersolar North America, held in San Francisco.

Spain’s government wants to pass drastic retroactive and future cuts as well as ceilings for photovoltaics (PV) feed-in tariffs, pv magazine has learnt. This is the result of a two-day round of talks between government and industry representatives.

Germany-based S.A.G. Solarstrom AG has announced it is to set up a 28 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted photovoltaics (PV) system in the northern Italian region of Veneto, in the municipality of Canaro. Once completed, the company says it will be one of the largest connected ground-mounted projects in the region and its largest project to date. Construction is due to start before the end of the year.

Leoni AG of Nuremberg, Germany has significantly raised its sales and earnings forecast for this year. The company, which supplies power cables to photovoltaic (PV) plants and a flat wire for PV panels, among other business activities, told pv magazine that the solar industry “is increasingly contributing to [its] sales and earnings”.

Pacific Blue Energy Corp. (PBEC), a development stage renewable energy company, has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of 100 acres in Gila Bend, Arizona, the U.S. in order to develop a 150-megawatt (MW) solar farm.

SunPower Corp. and Solar Ventures S.r.l., a developer of solar parks in Italy, France and the Mediterranean area, have signed a contract to design and build three solar power plants in the Piedmont region of Italy. Totaling 11.1 megawatts (MW) over 30 hectares, the companies say the development represents one of the largest solar power developments in the region. Construction on the plants is due to start this month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Australian state of Victoria has unveiled its plans to increase electricity supply from large scale-solar power to five per cent by 2020. Premier John Brumby announced that target was Australia’s most ambitious solar commitment and would be backed by the nation’s first feed-in tariff (FIT) for large-scale solar.

Yingli Green Energy Italia Srl has signed a photovoltaics (PV) module sales agreement with Tecno Spot, whereby Tecno Spot will purchase approximately six megawatts (MW) of PV modules from Yingli through the end of this year. Tecno Spot is also committed to purchasing an additional 10-20 MW of PV modules by the end of next year.