Intersolar North America Welcomes Solar Industry Leaders, Policymakers to San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In front of hundreds of solar industry executives, policymakers and advocates, California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. opened Intersolar North America, the most attended industry exhibition and conference for solar professionals to exchange information and develop business connections in North America. Gov. Brown welcomed attendees to the sixth annual Intersolar North America event in San Francisco, speaking alongside San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Director Dr. Dan E. Arvizu, Intersolar Conference Committee Chairman Professor Dr. Eicke Weber and Bernadette Del Chiaro, the new executive director of CALSEIA.

"California is in the lead, but being in the lead doesn't mean we've arrived at the goal. We've got a long way to go and I hope that the work you do here—the conversations, the relationships that are formed—can help advance the cause of solar energy and renewable energy," said California Governor Jerry Brown. "We're going to need an indomitable will to overcome all of the inertia, the blindness and the silliness that stands in the way of our obvious destiny and future, which is a renewable, sustainable, solar America and solar world."

CALSEIA introduced Ms. Del Chiaro as its new executive director in a press conference prior to the opening ceremony, where she discussed her plans for CALSEIA and how California can continue to remain the leading solar market in the United States.

"Public policy will remain critical to the continued growth of solar power in California, America's most important market," said Bernadette Del Chiaro, the new Executive Director of California Solar Energy Industry Association (CALSEIA). "California has only scratched the surface of what is possible,
politically and technologically, in this sun-filled state."

Over the course of the next three days, approximately 19,000 visitors will learn about the latest
technology innovations, financing models, business best practices and policy and
incentive programs that are contributing to the growth of the U.S. solar industry. Products from nearly 600 exhibitors from 22 countries will be on display on all three levels of Moscone West, representing the entire system of solar technology and showcasing advances in solar cell and module technology, balance of system components, solar heating and cooling and energy storage.

Additionally, two special exhibits in Moscone West highlight the practical applications of new
technologies that will further solar market growth. Companies will show the latest in electric vehicles, charging technology and solar-powered carports in the E-Mobility Special Exhibit on Level 3 of Moscone West (booth #9635). E-Mobility couples two rapidly developing market sectors—electric vehicles and energy storage—and can play a role in stabilizing the grid as more renewable energy comes online.

Building off of strong industry demand for commercialized storage technologies, the expanded PV
Energy World special exhibit on Level 2 of Moscone West will feature the latest technologies from 40 energy storage companies. Throughout the three days of the exhibition, the PV ENERGY WORLD stage will host 15 state-of-the-art presentations from exhibitors and panel discussions about energy storage market developments that are impacting the solar industry. The presentations are free to visitors.

Attendees can learn more about technology innovations, business best practices and project case
studies by visiting Intersolar North America's two stages located on the exhibition floor. In addition to the PV Energy World stage, the Innovation & Application stage will host free training programs and
practical workshops from exhibitors and partners. On Tuesday, July 9 at 3 p.m., the stage will be home to the Intersolar AWARD ceremony to honor projects in North America and, for the first time at Intersolar North America, breakthrough PV production technologies in a nod to California's long history as a leader in semiconductor technology.

The U.S. solar market grew 71 percent from 2011 to 2012, and is expected to add approximately 3.9 GW of new solar capacity in 2013, according to EuPD Research. The United States now represents 18 percent of total global installations, which could total more than 50 gigawatts in 2016, according to GTM Research. A number of emerging solar markets, including Latin America, are increasing their market share, and industry attention is focused on how best to reach those new markets and continue the global growth of solar installations.

More than 200 expert speakers will address the challenges and opportunities facing the North
American solar market in more than 50 sessions at the Intersolar North America conference in the
InterContinental Hotel. The conference features panel discussions in three topic areas: photovoltaics, energy storage and solar heating and cooling. Additionally, the conference will provide attendees with in-depth information on new solar financing and business models, which have contributed to expanding the U.S. solar market and bringing down the cost of solar.

"Year after year, Intersolar North America showcases breakthrough technologies first, and is the place where crucial business connections are made," said Markus Elsasser, CEO of Solar Promotion International GmbH, organizer of Intersolar North America. "For six years, we've attracted leaders from around the world and from across the solar supply chain to San Francisco, and have worked to develop an exhibition and conference that equips attendees with the information they need to continue to innovate and expand the global solar market."

"Intersolar has long supported the North American solar market, and we rely on our network of
partners to create a program that places domestic market trends within a global context," said Klaus W. Seilnacht, CEO of FMMI GmbH, one of the organizers of Intersolar North America. "We're excited to see the latest products and innovations on the show floor, honor industry achievements during the Intersolar AWARD ceremony, and hear from our distinguished speakers about what's next for the North American solar industry."

About Intersolar North America
With around 3,000 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors spanning four continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar industry and its partners. It unites people and companies from around the world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in our energy supply.

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. The exhibition focuses on the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, solar thermal technologies, and energy storage. It is co-located with SEMICON West and, since its founding, has become the international industry's meeting point for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the solar industry.

Intersolar's storied history of international exhibitions and conferences spans more than 20 years.
Taking place in addition to Intersolar North America in San Francisco are Intersolar India in Mumbai, Intersolar China in Beijing, and Intersolar South America in Sao Paulo. The world's largest exhibition for the solar industry is Intersolar Europe in Munich.

Intersolar North America is organized by Solar Promotion International GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Management and Marketing International GmbH (FMMI).

For more information on Intersolar North America please visit:  http://www.intersolar.us/

SOURCE Intersolar North America