Europe

After the recent resignation of Michael Wilhelm in his position as Sunways chairman, LDK Solar, Sunways majority shareholder has appointed Mario Zen in the vacated position.

Both multicrystalline and monocrystalline PV modules from JA Solar have passed normal potential induced degradation (PID) tests conducted by TÜV SÜD.

Mage Solar Engineering, a subsidiary of Mage Solar AG, is to focus on the complete design and installation of PV systems for industrial, commercial and service enterprises and communities in the future instead of its previous focus on building solar parks.

News that 17 solar companies are chasing the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for £140 million worth of damages has polarised opinion in the solar industry.

The Carinthian Tech Research centre (CTR) has begun research designed to enable a non-destructive technique for crosslinking of the typical potting material agents used in PV module assembly.

Testing company TÜV Rheinland has equipped its photovoltaic laboratory in Cologne, Germany, with a high resolution electroluminescence inspection system from MBJ Solutions.

The German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) is expected to introduce incentives for PV energy storage systems in February 2013.

The budget for solar PV in Austria has been increased from €2.1 million to €8 million through the Green Electricity Act 2012.

Italian renewable energy firm TerniEnergia installed eight PV plants in Greece in the fourth quarter of 2012 which have a combined capacity of 23.1 MWp.

German PV module manufacturer Solar-Fabrik has announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer Martin Friedrich.