solar

Despite a growing market for solar energy, Energy Conversion Devices, which makes flexible films that converts sunlight into electricity, says it will cut 140 jobs from its Michigan operation and move some of the manufacturing to Mexico this fall to cut costs.

Applied Materials is cutting its SunFab line of equipment to make amorphous-silicon solar panels. The move marks the end of the semiconductor-equipment giant's big thin-film solar ambitions. What's next for AMAT?

Oregon is the latest state to notch a big win in the effort to attract green jobs: Silicon Valley solar company Solexant has announced plans to build a large factory to produce thin-film solar panels near Portland. Oregon gets jobs; Solexant gets a $25 million loan and $18.75 million in tax credits.

With comically bad timing, California suspended a key solar incentive just days before some 20,000 solar devotees converged on San Francisco for Intersolar, an industry conference and expo. Why? Because the program has been too successful.

This year is turning out to be a good one for solar energy equipment makers and project developers. Solar panel makers saw a 92% jump in shipments in the second quarter from a year ago, and market research firms have issued bullish outlooks for the industry.

President Obama's $2 billion booster shot for solar is surely good news for the green energy sector. But it may not be enough to counter the drag of a global economic stall that many see coming. Because when other energy prices fall, solar investment tends to dry up.

Global clean-tech venture investments rose 43% to $2 billion in the second quarter. Solar and biofuel startups garnered the biggest funding, while the IPO market for clean-tech was much hotter in China than the U.S.

A group of investor-owned utilities have come out to oppose legislation that would require them increase the amount of solar electricity it sells by 2025.

Want to go solar, but can't afford the purchase and installation? A California power company is funding $100 million of solar electric systems for 3,500 homeowners in Colorado, Massachusetts, California, Arizona and New Jersey.

Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard are preparing to fly a solar-powered plane around the world in 2012. They are set to test a prototype which will take flight for 24 hours. Borschberg will be the pilot and must stay awake the full time because the prototype does not have an auto-pilot...