Intersolar North America to share insights behind explosive US market growth

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Intersolar North America, the most attended industry exhibition and conference in North America for solar professionals to exchange information and develop business opportunities, has expanded its offerings to better educate attendees on the latest market developments-both upstream and downstream-fueling the continued growth of the US solar industry.

With 4.2 gigawatts installed during 2013, the US solar market is now the leading solar market outside the Asia-Pacific region. In 2014, the US installed capacity is predicted to grow between 5.2 and 6.3 gigawatts, according to NPD Solarbuzz. Key to maintaining that growth is supportive policy, project financing and new technological innovations in areas such as energy storage and balance of system components.

The Intersolar North America exhibition and conference program features a week of events, conference panels and training sessions that provide insight into these developments, and more. Additionally, Intersolar will add a new one-day conference event to its portfolio in 2014 to focus on challenges and opportunities specific to the East Coast market.

Conference and exhibition returns to heart of US solar market
For the seventh year in a row, Intersolar North America will be held in California, home to more than 1,670 solar companies employing approximately 43,700 workers throughout the state, according to the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).

"Intersolar North America keeps a pulse on the key elements driving the US solar market, and we continually enhance our exhibition and conference offerings to better educate stakeholders and accelerate the industry's path to maturation," commented Klaus Seilnacht, CEO of FMMI International GmbH, an organizer of Intersolar North America. "San Francisco is the hub of industry innovation in the US and we could not imagine holding the conference elsewhere."

In addition to California, a number of established and emerging markets are lending to tremendous nationwide growth. According to NPD Solarbuzz, five states-California, North Carolina, New Jersey, Arizona, and Texas-account for 70 percent of the US solar market share. Arizona and New Jersey are also close to California in terms of solar job creation.

New Intersolar Summits extend conference benefits coast to coast
In response to these expanding solar regions, Intersolar will host its first US-based Intersolar Summit on March 20 in Edison, New Jersey. The Summit will focus on the local policies and regional market dynamics impacting the industry along the East Coast.

With a program theme of "80 Percent Renewable Electricity by 2050 - What does that mean today," attendees will hear from New Jersey State Sen. Bob Smith, chair of the state's Environment and Energy Committee, as well as New York State Sen. Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula; Dennis Wilson, the president of MSEIA; Lyle Rawlings, vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association; Michael Trahan, executive director of Solar Connecticut; and Tom Thompson, board member of the Solar Energy Business Association of New England.

The event targets solar professionals at all levels of the supply chain, as well as investors, project developers and energy storage and smart grid experts.

"Our new Intersolar Summit series builds on the mission of our global exhibition and conference series-to foster business connections and showcase innovations in growing and emerging markets," Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion International, an organizer of Intersolar North America. "New Jersey installed approximately 250 MW of solar power projects in 2013 and analysts expect the market to double in 2014. This commitment to solar growth makes the state an ideal location for our first Intersolar Summit in the US."