China has launched a trade probe into US subsidies for renewable energy and is contemplating filing a case with the World Trade Organisation. The probe is the latest episode in the rapidly escalating trade dispute between the two countries that was sparked off by an anti-dumping petition from a group of US manufacturers last month.

The one millionth photovoltaic system has been connected to Germany's grid, according to the country's solar industry association, BSW-Solar.

For established manufacturers of solar panels, this has proved a difficult year, in the face of falling demand and a wave of cheap imports from China.

JA Solar Holdings Co., a Chinese maker of solar power products, reported a third-quarter net loss on Tuesday, weighed by sharply lower revenue and higher operating costs.

Third quarter results from Hanwha SolarOne echoed pricing pressure and weak demand, especially from Germany that led to margin pressure, inventory write downs and losses.

Several China-based solar power companies are reporting lackluster earnings today.

Chinese solar panel makers plan to shift some of their production to South Korea, Taiwan and the United States in hopes of defusing a trade case pending against them in Washington, according to industry executives.

Germany's Economy Ministry released a paper on Thursday with a proposal to reduce the growth of new photovoltaic installations to 1,000 megawatts (MW) a year, a move that would dethrone the country as the world's largest market for solar panels.

Germany's Environment Ministry on Friday dismissed a proposal from the Economy Ministry to reduce the growth of new photovoltaic installations to 1,000 megawatt (MW) a year, saying a 15-percent cut for 2012 was enough for now.

Under fire from angry Republicans, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu denied Thursday that now bankrupt solar panel firm Solyndra leveraged political ties to President Barack Obama for a government loan.

China Sunergy Co. (CSUN) swung to a third-quarter loss despite a jump in sales as the Chinese solar-products maker saw its margins plunge into negative territory amid falling solar panel prices.

China-based module provider JinkoSolar has today revealed plans to install a 5MW solar plant in the UK with AEE Renewables.

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., China's biggest polysilicon maker, plans to sell 1.5 billion yuan ($236 million) of 7.05 percent notes due in 2018 to increase production capacity amid a global surplus.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) revealed its latest funding under the SunShot Initiative with a US$7 million effort for the reduction of non-hardware costs of residential and commercial PV installations.

Undeterred by recent green energy debacles, even the oft-cloudy Windy City plans to get into the solar subsidy scrimmage.

Weak market demand and falling module prices have forced JinkoSolar to revise financial guidance for the third quarter and full-year 2011.

Germany's largest module manufacturer, SolarWorld reported weakening financial conditions in the third quarter. Shipments and revenue remained flat with the second quarter but margins declined as weak demand and declining prices impacted results.

A concerted effort to increase sales overseas, though not a player in the expanding China market, SMA Solar Technology reported it had claimed back lost market share in the first 9-months of 2011.

Siemens' renewable energy division has reported a fourth-quarter loss, after writing off ??31m (瞿197m) in its solar power business.

The cost of solar cells and microchips has nowhere to go but down because of a supply glut for the commodity they're made from, a brittle charcoal-colored semiconductor baked in ovens at 600 degrees centigrade.

SPI Solar said it has sold $42 million worth of solar panels to a New Jersey solar energy developer.

The United States and China are gearing up for a trade war that could catch American users of solar energy in the crossfire.

Energy Conversion Devices Inc on Tuesday said it temporarily suspended manufacturing of its lightweight solar products, is cutting 500 jobs and has hired an advisory firm to help attract additional investment as it struggles to compete in the cutthroat solar power industry.