Press Release
The world’s largest solar electricity congress starts at the beginning of September in Valencia – the Munich organiser WIP-Renewable Energies expects 3,500 conference participants and 20,000 exhibition visitors
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Munich, 23 May 2008. At the beginning of September, the world’s largest solar electricity congress will start in Spain´s largest Convention and Exhibition Centre in Valencia. At the 23rd European Photovoltaic Conference, international experts will present the newest developments from research, technology, industry and politics in over 1,000 scientific contributions for five days. Accompanying workshops, field trips, and discussion forums will offer an excellent platform to transfer knowledge. The Munich organiser WIP-Renewable Energies expects around 3,500 conference participants from all over the world.
Among the research highlights counts, among others, the progress in thin-film technology. “With an annual growth of around 30 to 40 percent, this area belongs to the most dynamic sectors of the industry”, explains Dr. Daniel Lincot, the chairman of the 23rd European Photovoltaic Conference. For the thin-film technology, photoactive semiconductors as thin coatings are applied to a carrier material. In contrast to the current standard technology – crystalline solar cells – raw material and energy are saved when producing thin-film modules. They offer, therefore, a great potential to sink costs.
Exhibition already fully booked in March
Finished photovoltaic products will be presented in the accompanying professional exhibition by more than 600 suppliers. In addition to the most varying solar modules and inverters, every kind of production plant can be found here: the exhibition covers the entire value chain of photovoltaics. The organiser WIP-Renewable Energies expects more than 20,000 visitors. Although the exhibition surface area, in comparison to last year, was increased by 50 percent to 45,000 square metres, the entire area was already fully booked in March.
PV Industry Forum
It will also be exciting at the Industry Forum on 3 September, which the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) will conduct together with WIP in the framework of the conference. Main topics are price and technology trends, new requirements of the growing markets and grid integration.
Spanish Solar Market: What will happen next?
Since a new law regulating the feed-in of electricity from renewables into the grid was introduced in 2004, Spain has been experiencing a photovoltaic boom. By the end of 2007, solar electricity plants with a total output of around 575 megawatts were installed in Spain. In the autumn of 2008, a new law should be passed. It will decide on the further development of the Spanish solar market. What will happen next? You will get the answer in Valencia.
Institutional Support
The 23rd European Photovoltaic Conference and Exhibition is supported by the European Commission, by the Renewable Energies Programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE). In addition a close institutional co-operation exists between the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and WIP. While the conference will take place from 1 to 5 September, the accompanying professional exhibition will open its doors from 1 to 4 September.
About WIP-Renewable Energies
The professional institute WIP was founded in Munich in 1968. Since 1980, the company has concentrated on renewable energies. Its spectrum of services ranges from plant development to plant monitoring all the way to strategic development for a comprehensive integration of renewable energies. The European Photovoltaic Conference and Exhibition has been organised by WIP since 1986.
Press Conference and Welcome Reception on 1 September at the Feria Valencia
WIP invites all press representatives to a press conference with high-ranking speakers from research, industry and politics at 1:15 p.m. on 1 September, as well as to a welcome reception for all conference and exhibition participants at 6:30 p.m. on 1 September. Further details will soon be announced.
At a Glance
23rd European Photovoltaic Conference and Exhibition
Dates 1 to 5 September 2008 (Conference)
1 to 4 September 2008 (Exhibition)
Location Feria Valencia, Spain
Target Group Experts and decision makers from the photovoltaic industry, research and politics
Conference Language English
Organiser WIP-Renewable Energies
Sylvensteinstr. 2
81369 Munich, Germany
www.wip-munich.de
Institutional Support European Commission
World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
Participation Fees 790 Euros/ 890 Euros (five days of the conference including a CD-ROM with all conference contributions. The CD-ROM corresponds to a compendium on the status of photovoltaic technology and development on approx. 3,500 pages.)
Reduction for students, day tickets are available
Visiting the Fair Registration on location, the visit is free-of-charge
Further Information www.photovoltaic-conference.com