Freiburg, Germany [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] It was evident on June 23rd, at the end of Intersolar 2007, that the sheer number of attendees — which, at 32,000, was 30% more than the previous year — will cause next year’s show to relocate to Munich’s larger trade fair center.
Predictions for next year’s Intersolar 2008 (June 12-14, 2008), Europe’s largest trade fair for photovoltaics (PV), solar thermal energy and solar architecture, are gearing up to more than 35,000 visitors expected to view 800 exhibits.
This year, much of the success of Intersolar is attributed to a couple previous events held in Freiburg. estec2007 took place in the Konzerthaus Freiburg, and is billed as Europe’s largest industry conference for solar thermal technology. Here experts from science and industry focused on the European solar markets and trends. With 67 percent of the 503 participants coming from 50 countries, it was largely used as an international platform for interdisciplinary exchange.
Also in the Konzerthaus was the 3rd PV Industry Forum where international speakers from the PV industry and various research institutions presented. This year, 62 percent of the 319 participants in the PV Industry Forum attended, representing 42 nations. Next year, the PV Industry Forum will also take place in Munich, and will be extended to one and a half days in the supporting program just prior to Intersolar 2008.
The popularity of these events is due to the increase in the solar industry, particularly in Germany, where, in 2006, around 220,000 new solar systems were installed, at a value of around Euros five billion [US$6.7 billion]. With last year’s sales around a billion Euros [US$1.3 billion], this year, the industry expects a growth in foreign sales to Euros 1.5 billion [US$2 billion].
