By Elaine Hsieh, Program Director & Senior Analyst - VERGE Just as we celebrate Earth Day’s 44th year this week, Friday marks the 60th anniversary of the first practical solar cell. Back in 1954, all the solar cells in the world delivered about one watt. Now, more than 100 billion watts (a.k.a. 100 gigawatts) of generating capacity of solar photovoltaics have been installed globally. Also this year, solar reaches the Holy Grail: grid parity, when solar panels generate electricity at...

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In April 2014, the DG ECFIN flash estimate of the consumer confidence indicator increased in both the EU (by 0.8 points to -5.8) and the euro area (by 0.6 points to -8.7) compared to March. Computation of Flash CCI To compute the flash consumer confidence indicator for the EU and euro area, DG ECFIN uses the data available on the cut-off date. The estimation procedure combines historical data with information from those Member States for which data are available in the...

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Spring into Action!   Starting next month, New York businesses will be able to take advantage of Governor Cuomo's next round of economic incentives. Over $700 million will be available through a competitive application process. Awards will include: • capital grants for major projects meeting a region's economic goals • tax credits for up to 10 years for qualified businesses creating jobs or making significant investments in their space or machinery • energy benefits • grants to alleviate stormwater runoff (eg, for green roofs, bioswales) • grants...

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Brussels, 17 April 2014 || The European Union is currently focusing its efforts on  de-escalating the crisis in Ukraine. The EU calls on all sides to continue engaging in a meaningful and inclusive dialogue leading to a lasting solution; to protect the unity and territorial integrity of the country and to strive to ensure a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Ukraine's citizens. The EU has also proposed to step-up its support for Ukraine's economic and political reforms. A priority...

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EU workers moving to a different EU country will be able to take their full pension rights with them thanks to a draft law passed by Parliament on Tuesday. It still needs to be formally approved by the Council of Ministers. "The text represents a genuine improvement for many workers. It is a big step forwards for the free movement of workers and a boost for a social Europe", said rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, NL), adding that "a good pension...

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  Three measures to ensure that banks shoulder the risks of failure rather than relying on taxpayers to bail them out were approved by Parliament on Tuesday. Two deal with restructuring and winding down troubled banks, and the third ensures that banks, not taxpayers, guarantee deposits under €100,000 in the event of a run on a bank. These measures complement the single bank supervision system, already in place, and take the EU far down the road towards banking union. Parliament...

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