Chief executives in the solar industry have got together to launch the Global Solar Council (GSC) in a bid to boost the deployment of solar energy worldwide through stakeholder and policy maker engagement.

The industry coalition aims to stress the importance of a supportive policy and trading environment for the solar industry for green economic growth.

Bringing together experts from all areas of the solar photovoltaic supply chain, such as materials supply, product manufacturing, financing, policy, research and innovation and grid development and management, the council will pool knowledge and resources to create a unified industry voice to approach governments.

The role of the council - founded by member companies including Applied Materials, Dow Corning, DuPont, First Solar, Lanco Solar, Phoenix Solar and Suntech - is dalso designed to complement regional trade associations and stakeholders.

GSC executive director Roland-Jan Meijer said: "The council is an important and timely industry initiative. It demonstrates a strong commitment by key players in the sector to work together to continue to make solar energy a global success."