Solar Energy Conference Brings Together Leaders, Highlights Advancements

The number of trade shows that bring together experts in renewable energy and green design is on the rise. These events allow industry insiders to share knowledge and best practices, learn about new developments in their fields, and network with like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators.

In early July, experts and business leaders will descend on San Francisco for the Intersolar North America 2012 Conference that will be held at the Moscone Center between July 9 and 12. The event is expected to bring together some 900 exhibitors and more than 22,000 visitors from 80 countries who will mix and mingle on the center’s 200,000 square feet of space. The conference itself, held at the InterContinental Hotel from July 10 to 12, will feature more than 200 speakers who will hold 30 sessions for over 1,600 attendees.

Intersolar North America’s mission is to bring together company leaders and other professionals from all over the world to share insights and exchange information about the North American solar energy market to speed up the growth of solar as a significant source of clean energy and develop business opportunities. The initiative’s focus is on photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies, with exhibitors encompassing PV cell, module and inverter manufacturers, components and mounting systems suppliers, manufacturing system suppliers, service companies as well as manufacturers of solar thermal applications including heating and cooling.

Exhibitors Will Present New and Improved Products

One of the participating companies this year will be HellermannTyton, which will showcase its offerings that help customers simplify their solar installations. Its products include cable management and labeling systems for solar panel frames and modules, such as Solar E-Clips for simplifying PV module wire management; UV durable pre-printed and continuous vinyl labels for small and large scale PV installations; thermal transfer printers and software, and hand-held printers for creating solar installation labels at a construction site.

Meanwhile, among the most anticipated exhibits will be the PV ENERGY WORLD Special Exhibit that focuses on the challenges and opportunities facing the photovoltaic industry as it continues its unprecedented growth. It will showcase pioneering technology and present the political framework and regulations that may help promote the expansion in the proportion of solar power within the renewable energy system.

As part of the drive to promote innovative solutions in the renewable energy field, the Intersolar project has given awards in the last few years in categories such as Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Technologies and PV Production Technologies. The call for 2012 submissions includes a new category called Solar Projects in North America, and encompasses projects like:

• Solar buildings: zero-energy and energy-plus structures that use solar technology to for heating, cooling and electricity generation;
• Utility scale projects: photovoltaic power plants and solar thermal power plants;
• Industrial and commercial use.

This year’s nominees include Amonix, Inc. for its Alamosa Solar Generating project, Canadian Solar for Thunder Bay Airport Solar Park, and Sun Power Corporation for Copper Crossing Solar Ranch.

Solar Market Growth Is Projected to Continue

In 2011, the size of the American market for solar energy doubled as a result of decreases in equipment costs due to maturing technologies as well as government incentive programs, Intersolar North America reported. Among the states that experienced the highest growth was California, which added 620 MW of new capacity last year for a total capacity of 1.75 GW.

For the U.S. as a whole, total capacity stands at 4.4 GW and experts predict a continuing growth despite the expiration of some of the federal grant programs, to as much as 7.6 GW by the end of 2012.