In just the first seven months of 2007, venture-capital investments in solar already exceeded 2006's total by a whopping 71 percent. Source: The Venture Power Newsletter, Greentech Media
Europe's Solar Stars - Click to enlarge chart
Germany-based Q-Cells expects to have more than triple the capacity of Europe's No. 2 solar manufacturer at the end of this year. *Numbers represent megawatts of capacity expected at the end of 2007. Source: Prometheus Institute
Churning It Out - Click to enlarge chart
Japan-based Sharp is the world's largest solar manufacturer, followed by Germany-based Q-Cells. * Numbers are in megawatts. Source: Prometheus Institute
Thin is In - Click to enlarge chart
Most solar VC investments are backing thin film; solar-thermal investments have more than tripled since 2006. Source: The Venture Power Report, Greentech Media
Thin is In - Click to enlarge chart
Most solar VC investments are backing thin film; solar-thermal investments have more than tripled since 2006. Source: The Venture Power Report, Greentech Media
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Forget Armani suits, Versace scarves and Prada purses. The latest fashion to hit Milan is solar.
Europe's largest solar conference, the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, has brought sun worshipers to the city for the 22nd annual event, which continues through Friday.
The event, sponsored by the European Commission (EU) and others, is one of the largest solar gatherings in the world.
WIP-Renewable Energies, the Munich-based project developer that runs the event each year, hasn't yet released registration numbers. But it expects visitors from more than 75 countries to attend the 1,000 presentations that make up the scientific conference and the 450 booths in the industry exhibit halls.
Solar-industry attendees are coming to find out about the latest research - and to scope out possible partners and competitors.
This year, Greentech Media expects the big issues to include:
The shortage of solar-grade silicon, or polysilicon, and technologies that use it more efficiently
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Posted: September 4, 2007 - 9:00 am (EST) 
