As fall moves its way into winter, the solar industry keeps steaming onward. Growth in China continues to raise the prospect that Europe and the United States will soon fall behind this quickly rising, industrial red tiger in terms of solar manufacturing and installations. But for now, so much is going on in Europe and in North America that’s keeping the industry moving forward it’s still hard to keep up with all of it.

Last week, Clean Energy Authority reported on many of the important developments in solar in the United States.

For instance, one of California’s recently approved gigantic solar projects, BrightSource Energy’s Ivanpah Solar Electrical Generating Site, broke ground, albeit to some local environmental groups’ dismay.

However, the site already received approval from Bureau of Land Management, just one agency embroiled in deciding how best to balance the country’s energy needs with the environment and the economy.

Another federal agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, last week released tools to help states implement greenhouse gas permits to industrial-scale polluters. A move which may help incent polluters like power companies, to give more consideration to solar and other renewable energy.

On the lighter side of solar, an “Around the World in 80 Days” event, the Zero Emissions Race, began its stint in the U.S. last week. But before the racers in the event crossed onto U.S. soil—in what might be a disturbing world’s first, a solar-powered vehicle in the race hit a bicyclist.

In a positive event without an injurious incident, the Solar Cup Competition kicked off in California.

And former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was on hand last week to unveil a hybrid photovoltaic-solar thermal system installed at the Sonoma Wine Co.’s vineyards in California.

Still, Clean Energy Authority couldn’t keep up with all the events in the solar world. For instance, as many solar manufacturing companies reported third quarter 2010 results, earnings were shy of what was expected. This includes results for Chinese PV companies, which have benefitted this year from a total of roughly $30 billion in loans from the China Development Bank, including LDK solar, which is the only PV company that reported positive 3rd quarter results thus far.

However, solar may still be a worthy investment at the moment.

GT Solar, a U.S.-based solar manufacturer said last week that it would repurchase $203 million of its stock. While good for stockholders, the move reduces private-stockholders’ interests in the company, and spurned two board members to resign.

India may soon join China as a potential new solar world power. Last week it said would create a green investment bank to support renewable energy power plant projects in the world’s second most populous country.

The bank will be supported by the country’s coal tax: a tax which the U.S. government still has not been able to enact despite the greenhouse gas permits.

Oh, and you might want to stay away from Solar Power Packs. Apparently, they’ve been running around claiming UL certification.

But Underwriter’s Laboratories, said it did not approve the devices, which are meant to charge mp3 players and other small electronic devices.

So stay away from off-brand PV chargers with UL numbers 4250280807011 and 4250280807028.

Image courtesy of NREL.