Kobe Steel begins module production using RWE cells

Kobe Steel reported to supply Japanese homebuilder Misawa with 500 PV systems. Kobe Steel will build a module factory in Japan.

Philippine deal gives WorldWater stock a needed boost

From a near all-time stock price low, WorldWater Corp. has bounced back, following the conclusion of a deal to supply the Philippines with solar pumps as part of a $52 million nationwide irrigation development project.

Sanyo Electric acquires house-builder Kubota

The Japanese cell and module manufacturer Sanyo Electric acquires Kubota and will offer their houses equipped with PV systems.

Sumitomo wins Philippine bid for large-scale PV/hydro plant

A contract on the Philippine island of Mindanao to build a 1 MW solar component for the world’s first large-scale hybrid PV/hydro plant has been awarded to Sumitomo Corp.

BP Solar Spain awarded large Spanish-funded project in Philippines 

BP Solar Spain has won a bid in the Philippines to oversee what one spokesman is describing as the largest off-grid project ever awarded. 

Japan passes highest PV budget ever 

There are several reasons why the Japanese PV market is the world's largest. One is the government's commitment to this technology, just highlighted in December when it approved a record budget for PV systems R&D and market introduction measures for PV and other renewable energies for FY 2001. 

NREL to call for bids on 10 kW thin film project in India 

The National Research Energy Laboratory (NREL) will be calling for bids from PV manufacturers interested in taking part in a 10 kW thin film system project at the Solar Energy Centre of the Indian Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) in New Delhi. 

Sanyo plans to increase module production to 120 MW 

Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., looking to increase its PV production eight-fold by 2005, will be investing 5 to 15 billion yen ($48 to $96 million USD) a year through 2005. 

Missing comma keeps four percent sales tax on PV in Indian state 

A missing comma seems to be the culprit in an increase of PV prices in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. 

Solar Finance Consortium to train loan officers in Financing PV

The US-based Solar Finance Consortium (SFC) has been awarded $1 million USD by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). 

Canadian firm gets deal for China 

The Canadian firm Automated Tooling Systems (ATS) has agreed to provide two 5-kW solar systems for China, a grid-connected system in Beijing and a stand-alone system in Qingham Province in the western China, and should be finished by the August.