Panasonic is now determined to become the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry. That vision is on display in a prototype of an eco house in Tokyo, and a planned smart community in Fujisawa to open in 2013.

Japan has left me smitten since I visited for the first time in 1996. Each time I visit, I am wowed and in awe of this mighty country.

Expect Middle Eastern nations to start scoping and importing solar professionals to work on the Arabian peninsula. Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia will lead the way.

The Greek Orthodox Church has seen revenues fall during the economic downturn, and so it’s turning to Qatar for investment in solar and marble quarrying.

Now Qatar is researching the potential of using solar energy to fuel desalination plants in order to cope with its meager water reserves.

Despite all the negative news out of Italy we have to remember that the boot is one of the world’s largest economies with an R&D culture that could boost Qatar.

Germany, a global leader in solar energy, is mulling a path for Greece to emerge out of its fiscal misery. Could Greece become a global solar pipeline and power?

If the IAAF Championships 2017 comes to Qatar, expect the emirate to showcase its emerging leadership on clean energy technologies including solar.