Solar Economics Forum - towards grid parity

Introduction

Solar was a $36 billion industry in 2008, with over 5GW of new solar capacity installed. In 2007, investment in expanding solar energy companies soared to $10.5bn, almost a 40 fold growth since 2004, and even in 2008 this increased slightly to $11.1bn. Recently with credit tight, some solar companies have had to put growth plans on hold for the short term.

Solar is firmly in place as a policy objective in Europe, the U.S. and also in other emerging markets. Under incentive schemes in Germany and Spain, and now other countries, a vibrant global industry has been created. Manufacturing and installation costs are coming down so that where electricity costs are high (ie Italy, California), the cost of solar electricity will soon be on a par with fossil fuel generated electricity. In the coming years grid parity should spread to other markets.

Solar Economics Forum – towards grid parity, aims to bring together leading solar industry players to explore the economics of the solar industry and find ways to further accelerate market growth and cut costs to reach grid parity. The programme will include in depth analysis on market potential of the three main solar technologies: Silicon-wafer based PV, Thin Film PV and CSP. It will analyse current regulations and policies across the globe, new innovations and future investment opportunities. In addition the event will feature interactive sessions on solar power finance strategies and solar technologies.

Key Reasons to Attend

• Understand the economics of solar and the prospect of grid parity
• Discover the attractiveness of investing in solar
• Compare the potential of Silicon-wafer based PV, Thin Film PV and CSP technologies for scaling up and cutting costs
• Identify the right strategy for your solar investments
• Learn about the regulatory frameworks in the leading and emerging solar markets and debate on the best policy options
• Hear of innovations which will transform the future industry
• Network with the leading players in the Global Solar Industry. Over 1000 attendees at the series in 2008

Who will you meet?

The conference will bring together key players from the solar industry and the financial community with an unrivalled combination of solar technology developers, manufacturers, distributers and project developers. You will have the chance to network with:

• solar technology manufacturers
• solar distributors and installers
• solar project developers
• technology research and development companies
• venture capital firms
• private equity and investment funds
• finance sector and banks
• utilities
• government officials and regulators
• industry analysts and associations
• legal experts and consultants

 Companies attending previous Green Power Solar Events include:
Abengoa Solar, Acciona Solar, Alstom Power, Amonix Inc, Applied Materials, Ausra, Banco Santander, BP Alternative Energy, BrightSource Energy, BSW-Solar, Cobra ,ConocoPhillips, Corning Inc, DLR, Edison, EIB, Emerging Energy Research, Enfinity, ENI, EON, Epuron, Ernst & Young, Esolar, European Commission, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Flowserve, Foresight Group, FORBES, GE Energy, Gorosabel, Greenpeace International, Guardian Glass, International Energy Agency, KfW, Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield and Byers, Large-scale Solar Association, Martifer, McKinsey, Merloni Progetti, Mitsubishi Corp, Mountain Cleantech, Nanosolar, Navigant Consulting Inc, New Energy Finance, NREL, NV Energy, Novatec-Biosol, Ormat, Q-Cells, Rabobank, Rotem Industries, Satcon, Schott Solar, Sempra Generation, Siemens AG, Skyfuel, SENER, Sharp, Solar Millennium, Solar Reserve, SolarPACES, Solon Corp,Solucar Power, SolFocus, SoloPower Inc, Southern California Edison, Stirling Energy Systems, SunPower Corp, TREC, Trinity Ventures, Vattenfall, Verbund Management Service, US Department of Energy, WorleyParsons

40+ high level speakers from the Solar Industry, Finance and Politics confirmed, including:

Agenda outline

GLOBAL MARKET AND INVESTMENT
Global Solar Market Drivers
The Economics of Solar Power
Defining Grid Parity
Solar Technologies– Towards Grid Parity

• Silicon-wafer based PV
• Thin Film PV
• Concentrating Solar Power

Global Investment Overview
Venture Capital and Private Equity
Solar Power Finance Strategies

GLOBAL SOLAR POLICIES
Grading Countries Solar Investments
Policy Options Overview
Regulations, Policies and Targets in:

• Germany
• Spain
• USA
• Italy
• UK
• France
• Greece
• Turkey
• India

FUTURE VISION AND TECHNOLOGY
R+D breakthroughs – future technology

For a full agenda, download our event brochure here

 

Pre-conference training course

Solar Technologies 101

An introduction to solar technology and markets for non engineers
A 1-day primer for non-engineers
15 June 2009

Course objectives

Whether you are new to the industry or simply want to refresh and update your knowledge, this one-day training course will ensure you are up-to-speed with the key, fundamental aspects of the Solar energy industry. You will learn about the different applications and technologies for harnessing the sun's energy, including both photovoltaics and solar thermal. These will be placed in their relevant business context both within the energy market as a whole and by considering the commercial, economic and regulatory factors affecting both demand and supply.

You can use the course as a self-contained session or as an opportunity to gain an understanding and confidence which will help you gain most benefit from the Solar Economics Forum taking place on the three days following.

Agenda

1. Key concepts in understanding Solar

2. Pholtovoltaic (PV) Solar

3. Solar Thermal

4. Solar Economics: Key Influences

For more information visit the Green Power Academy website

Speaking Opportunities

If you are interested in speaking at this event please submit a speaking proposal (presentation title, 4-5 bullet points and brief synopsis) to Monica Mohovich :

E-mail: Monica.Mohovich@greenpowerconferences.com

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Endorsed by:

AltaTerra Research is the research firm focused on environmentally sustainable business and the corporate market for clean technology. With research reports, advisory services and executive education, AltaTerra helps business leaders make informed decisions on sustainability strategies, practices and cleantech solutions. To search our online catalog of publicly available research, summaries of proprietary reports, and blogs and industry event listings, please visit the AltaTerra Research Network website at www.AltaTerra.net

EuPD Research is an international service provider focusing on B2B market research with a highly specialized multilingual interview center. We provide our clients in Europe, Asia and the US with the entire range of qualitative and quantitative research services. With the help of in-depth market knowledge combined with methodological professionalism, we provide practical, future-oriented business solutions and ensure that our clients receive a return on their research investment. Our continuous research has enabled us to develop particular skills in the field of renewable energy sources, particularly in the field of solar energy.

 

---

Sponsor Grid Parity – Solar Economics Forum and benefit from:

• 1st class lead generation: meet companies actively working in the solar industry
• Enhanced brand profile: pre-event promotional campaign plus extensive on site branding
• Excellent publicity: gain an incredible amount of presence from on site promotion
• A cost effective marketing solution: our development team will be happy to customise a package and develop a cost effective marketing channel to generate new sales leads

Sponsorship options offering varying levels of branding and exposure are available to suit budgets and marketing aims. 

Contact William Todd for further details
Office: +9714 813 5211 l Fax: +44 207 900 1853

E-mail: william.t@greenpowerconferences.com

Partners

Media Partenrs:

Official Offset Partner:

---

Green Power Conferences consistently works in strategic partnerships with industry leading organizations and trade publications. Our international and targeted marketing campaigns ensure excellent marketing exposure for our partners.

If you would like to partner with us, please contact Ryan Winchester at:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7099 0600
Email: ryan.winchester@greenpowerconferences.com

Venue

Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre London Kensington
4 -18 Harrington Gardens
London SW7 4LH
UK

T: +44 (0) 20 7373 6030
F: +44 (0) 20 7373 0409 
E: reservations.gloucester@millenniumhotels.co.uk
http://www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/millenniumgloucester/