Intersolar North America Highlights Energy Storage, New Solar Technologies During Fifth Event in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Intersolar North America, the premier solar industry exhibition and conference in North America for solar professionals to exchange information and develop business opportunities in the U.S. solar market, concluded its fifth event in California, the largest solar market in the United States. This year's exhibition and conference focused on the entire system of solar technology—from advances in solar module and cell technology to balance of system components to energy storage—as well as the practical applications of new solar technology.

Solar industry leaders from around the world and across the solar value chain visited San Francisco to gain expert insight into the technology trends and market movements shaping the solar industry in North America, as well as to make the business connections essential to maintaining the U.S. solar market's impressive growth rate. Co-located with SEMICON West, more than 18,000 visitors from 76 countries attended free exhibition workshops and presentations, and viewed the latest products and services from 757 solar exhibitors. Exhibits occupied all three floors of Moscone West and Hall E of Moscone North.

Despite concerns over market consolidation and the changing incentive landscape, the mood of the show was optimistic, as the U.S. solar market is on pace to beat industry expectations for new installed capacity in 2012 and add more than 3.3 GW of new solar installations, according to EuPD Research. Globally, the amount of grid-connected photovoltaics is expected to increase from 70 GW in 2011 to 230 GW installed capacity by 2017, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Building off of this year's momentum, approximately 2/3 of the exhibition space is already booked for Intersolar North America's 2013 exhibition and conference.

Intersolar North America Highlights Energy Storage and Grid Integration

Energy storage technologies play an important role in facilitating the integration of more solar into the grid, and were an important focus at this year's conference and exhibition. A packed room assembled to hear 10 storage experts discuss the latest technologies and what policies are needed to further commercialize storage during the Intersolar North America Conference at the Intercontinental Hotel.

On the show floor, the PV Energy World special exhibit—organized in conjunction with the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA) and Fraunhofer Institute ISE—saw steady attendee traffic and full audiences for its presentations and panel discussions on energy storage technologies and grid integration.

Balance of Systems Exhibitors Show Off New Cost-Cutting Technologies

An increasing number of balance of system and solar component companies exhibited at this year's show, proving that balance of systems components are playing a crucial role in driving down system costs, improving efficiency, reliability and ROI. Intersolar North America featured several first-time exhibitors, including SMA America, LLC, which showed off its line of inverters, and Bonfiglioli Riduttori SpA, which highlighted its new RPS Endurance 500 kWp inverters. Several of the exhibitors demonstrated their products on the Innovation Exchange and Practical Point stages, two of four free exhibition stages that offered presentations throughout the duration of the show.

Intersolar AWARD Honors Solar Projects in North America

The first-ever Intersolar AWARD for solar projects in North America honored three landmark projects in the United States and Canada that utilize advanced technology, incorporate aesthetic and architectural concepts, and exemplify outstanding services and products. The winners for 2012 were honored in a special ceremony at the exhibition: Enerworks Inc.'s Oxford Gardens Solar Project, Vanir Energy, LLC's William G. White Jr., Family YMCA and ESA Renewables, LLC's Martins Creek Elementary School Solar PV Project. All nine Intersolar AWARD nominees offered presentations on their projects on the Innovation Exchange stage.

Global Solar Leaders Meet at Intersolar North America Conference

The Intersolar North America Conference took place around the corner from the Moscone Center at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco. Over four days, approximately 220 internationally recognized speakers provided expert insight into a variety of topics facing the solar industry. In addition to the hot topics of energy storage and balance of systems innovations, 30 sessions covered everything from net metering to solar heating and cooling to future market prospects in Europe and Asia. Additionally, utility-scale solar was an important topic at this year's conference, and the conference offered panels on PV power plants, updates on the CSP and PV markets, and a forum featuring representatives from utilities on how best to boost the installed capacity of solar.

This year also first International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Building and Industry in the United States organized by the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. The conference was part of a series of scientific and policy conferences focused on solar heating and cooling, and featured a global speaking lineup that attracted hundreds of attendees. 

About Intersolar

With over 3,500 exhibitors and 120,000 visitors spanning three continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar industry. Intersolar North America takes place annually in San Francisco's Moscone Center. Since its establishment in 2008, the exhibition and conference have developed into the premier platform for the solar industry in North America. Intersolar North America focuses on photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies and is co-located with SEMICON West. It has quickly established itself among manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and service providers as an international industry meeting point.

Intersolar's storied history of international exhibitions and conferences spans more than 20 years. Taking place in addition to Intersolar North America are Intersolar India in Mumbai, and Intersolar China in Beijing, which was launched in 2011. The world's largest exhibition for the solar industry is Intersolar Europe in Munich. For more information on Intersolar North America please visit: http://www.intersolar.us/

SOURCE Intersolar North America