Following a row that lasted several months, solar firms have finally agreed on a concept for voluntary panel recycling. This comes too late, as the EU now wants to use the WEEE Directive to dictate what should happen to old panels.

Because the price of solar panels is plummeting, large ground-mounted photovoltaic plants are squeezing solar thermal power plants out of the market. Is the future of concentrated solar power already over?

Sales of solar heating installations fell short of expectations almost everywhere last year. Despite this firms are optimistic. Improved political support is driving hopes of an upswing.