Xinyu City, China: LDK Solar Commences Production from Second 5,000 MT Train in its Polysilicon Plant. LDK Solar, a manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers and PV products, today announced that its second 5,000 MT polysilicon train has completed the commissioning process and commenced commercial production.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: MBM Holdings to Build Polysilicon Plant. MBM Holdings has announced the formation of MBM Solar Holding Inc., which will build a 2500MT/a solar-grade polysilicon plant in the UAE.

Shanghai, China: Solarfun Plans Increase in Cell Capacity. Solarfun Power will increase its cell capacity by 50 MW through the enhancement of its manufacturing processes, and to convert 160 MW of its existing cell lines to high-efficiency selective emitter technology, both to be completed in the early first quarter of 2011.

Baoding, China: Yingli Green Energy Starts Production from New Facilities. Yingli Green Energy yesterday announced the initial production from its latest 400 MW capacity expansions.

Sydney, Australia: SilexSolar Expands Module Capacity. SilexSolar is expanding its PV panel production capacity at its Sydney Olympic Park (SOP) manufacturing facility, in response to strong demand for its panels from the domestic rooftop solar panel market.

Blaubeuren, Germany: Centrotherm Photovoltaics Concludes Ramp-Up at LG Electronics. Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG, a provider of turnkey production lines has concluded the ramp-up of two lines for the manufacturing of crystalline solar cells at its customer LG Electronics.

Seoul, South Korea: OCI Adds 5,000 metric tons of Polysilicon Capacity. Following the construction of its P3 polysilicon plant with production capacity of 10,000 metric tons that will be completed at the end of this year, OCI will further invest in a plant expansion with manufacturing capacity of 5,000 metric tons.

Hong Kong, China: Apollo Solar Energy and Hanergy Sign Thin Film Equipment Contract. Apollo Solar Energy Technology, Fujian Apollo (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group) and Hanergy have entered into the principal sales contract of providing Hanergy equipment and integrated turnkey solution for the manufacturing of silicon-based thin film solar PV modules.

Arnstadt, Germany: Bosch Solar Opens New Cell Manufacturing Plant. Bosch Solar Energy AG has formally opened its new crystalline solar cell production plant, the first phase in the extension of its solar production facilities in Arnstadt, Thuringia.

Rome, Italy: Enel Green Power, Sharp and STMicroelectronics Start Work on Thin Film Factory. Today, Enel Green Power, Sharp and STMicroelectronics have signed a binding letter of commitment for a project financing agreement for 150 million euros for the development of what will be Italy's biggest photovoltaic panel factory.

Wrexham, United Kingdom: Sharp to Raise UK Module Capacity to 500 MW. Sharp Corporation will double its annual production capacity for crystalline modules to 500 MW at Sharp Manufacturing Company of U.K. (SUKM), its production base in the UK (Wrexham, Wales), starting December 2010.

Baar, Switzerland: Meyer Burger Receives Equipment Order from Nexolon. Meyer Burger has successfully concluded a contract of over CHF 60 million for wire saws, ID-saws and wafer inspection systems with Nexolon in Korea. Nexolon is a leading manufacturer of mono- and multi-crystalline solar wafers.

Torgau, Germany: Avancis Starts Construction on Second Thin Film Manufacturing Plant. Solar module manufacturer, Avancis has kick-started construction of its second plant at Torgau in the German state of Saxony with a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony.

Berlin, Germany: Odersun Opens Factory for Customized Thin Film Solar Modules. Odersun has inaugurated its second thin film solar factory, "SunTwo".

Prague, Czech Republic: Photon Energy Starts Construction on 32 MW of PV Systems. Photon Energy is preparing to commence construction on a number of photovoltaic projects in the Czech Republic and Slovakia representing over 32 MWp of installed capacity.

Madrid, Spain: SunPower and Naturener Partner on 9 MW Spanish Solar Power Plant. SunPower Corporation is building a 9.1-megawatt (AC) solar power plant in Alange, Badajoz, Spain for the Naturener Group.

Torgau, Germany: Avancis to Construct Second Thin Film Manufacturing Plant. Saint-Gobain's subsidiary Avancis, will be building a new manufacturing plant to produce photovoltaic modules to cover the roofs of residential, industrial and commercial buildings as well as for solar plants.

Louisville, KY, USA: CRS Reprocessing Services Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Nexolon. CRS Reprocessing Services, LLC (CRS) recently signed an exclusive, multi-year agreement with Nexolon Company, Ltd. to provide on-site reprocessing services at its production facilities.

Bedford, MA, USA: Wanxiang Solar Opens Module Assembly Facility. Spire Corporation has celebrated the opening of a PV Module Manufacturing Plant established by Wanxiang Solar, a Division of Wanxiang America Corporation, located in Rockford, Illinois.

Washington DC, USA: US Government Offers Additional Manufacturing Loan Guarantees. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today a new loan guarantee solicitation for renewable energy manufacturing projects.

Guelph, ON, Canada: Canadian Solar to Proceed with 200 MW Module Assembly Plant. Canadian Solar will establish a new solar module manufacturing facility in Ontario and is expected to be ready to commence production early next year which will be one of the largest solar panel module manufacturing plants in North America.

San Jose, CA, USA: Solexant to Locate 100 MW Manufacturing Facility in Oregon. Solexant Corp., developer of third-generation ultrathin-film PV technology, has selected the city of Gresham, Oregon for the location of its first commercial-scale nanocrystal manufacturing facility.

Padova, Italy: Silfab Plans 120 MW Module Assembly Facility in Canada. Silfab is planning anew highly automated PV module production site based in Ontario (Canada) with a capacity of 120 MW to be reached in two stages.