Intersolar North America 2008 Exceeds Expectations

SAN FRANCISCO (Map) - SAN FRANCISCO, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar Promotion International GmbH is pleased to announce that the inaugural Intersolar North America conference and exhibition, which concluded on Thursday, July 17th, was a rousing success. Show organizers released initial figures for the three-day event which placed operating statistics well above expectations, while both visitors and exhibitors reported strong and positive feedback, leading organizers to plan an even larger event for 2009.

While only being the first time that the internationally-recognized solar fair extended its presence to the United States, thousands of people came to participate in the conference sessions and walk the show, which was held together with SEMICON West at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

More than 13,000 people attended Intersolar North America 2008, and in all, 210 exhibitors participated in the event from 15 nations.

Meanwhile, the conference program brought together 35 panels, workshops and symposia featuring about 100 speakers representing all sides of the industry -- from manufacturing technologies to photovoltaic, concentrating solar, solar thermal, solar architecture, and policy and economic issues surrounding the advance of solar power.

"Intersolar has reached new shores with a very strong success," said Markus Elsasser, CEO of Solar Promotion International GmbH and organizer of Intersolar North America. "The growth of the industry here in the United States is amazing, and based on the overwhelming feedback we are receiving, we obviously are providing a valuable forum for domestic as well as international business in the solar industry."

Exhibitors and Visitors Highly Satisfied:

Visitors and exhibitors were highly satisfied with Intersolar North America 2008, particularly in regard to the popularity of the first-time event and the access to more than 13,000 international visitors who flocked to the exhibition and conference.

"Intersolar in Germany is absolutely mind boggling and it appears that this North American show will go the same way," said Nick Sarno, the Sr. VP Manufacturing of LDK Solar Co., Ltd. "We've had exposure to a wide array of qualified buyers; the number of visitors to our booth has been great," said Frank Stiebel, the President of Stiebel Eltron. Tanja Brinks, the Head of World Wide Marketing for Schuco International KG, added that "we are deeply impressed with the professional approach of Intersolar and the quality of contacts is outstanding." While Dave Johnson, President of Scheuten, responded that "we find Intersolar North America to be an excellent forum to connect with customers, trade suppliers and partners in the industry. It is also a good environment to stay abreast of emerging technology and changing market conditions."

Appreciation also came from the State of California, in a letter from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recognizing the value that the event provides to the nation's leading center for solar development. "Germany and California are world leaders when it comes to clean technology, and I applaud your efforts to strengthen our cooperation and fight climate change." Gov. Schwarzenegger wrote. "Your actions are bringing together the best minds and brightest innovators who will help all nations reduce their dependence on fossil fuels."

Plans for the Future:

Show organizers intend to continue the momentum in years to come. Already, Solar Promotion International and FMMI will continue their partnership with SEMICON West in presenting Intersolar North America 2009 at the Moscone Center, but will be expanding significantly when the show returns to San Francisco next year. "We will at least double our exhibition space and number of exhibitors," said Klaus W. Seilnacht CEO of FMMI who, in moving forward, intends to make San Francisco the permanent home of Intersolar North America. "We think it's a big advantage to be based in one location for the long-term, for ease of organization and for building a reputation as the leading solar industry event in a city of such international prominence."

About Intersolar:

The Intersolar brand is internationally recognized as the leading event for the solar energy industry. Intersolar Europe, previously held in Freiburg, Germany, has switched venues due to greater demand for space and is now held annually at the New Trade Fair Centre in Munich. Intersolar Europe is the world's largest solar exhibition with more than 1,050 exhibitors, 52,000 visitors from 140 countries, and an exhibition space of 818,000 square feet in 2008.

About Solar Promotion International GmbH:

Solar Promotion International GmbH, of Germany, organizes exhibitions and conferences worldwide for the solar industry. Founded in 2001, Solar Promotion promotes solar technologies around the world to help further their advancement and implementation into everyday use. Solar Promotion organizes events in the photovoltaic, solar thermal, solar architecture, building efficiency technologies and efficient pellet fuel technology branches. These events include: Intersolar Europe, Intersolar North America, Interpellets, the Solar Thermal Industry Forum and Photovoltaic Industry Forum, among others. For further information, visit http://www.intersolar.us.

Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH (FMMI):

Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH (FMMI) is owned and operated by the City of Freiburg and founded with the aim of promoting international cooperatives and organizing trade exhibitions and conferences relating to the economy, tourism, the environment and international city partnerships, at the behest of the City of Freiburg. "Green City Freiburg" is marketed worldwide to describe Freiburg's decades of expertise in solar technology, renewable energies and sustainable urban and traffic planning. FMMI's international activities strengthen and promote Freiburg as an economic hub. For further information, visit http://www.fwtm.freiburg.de.

About SEMI:

SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. SEMI member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.semi.org/.