Intersolar Europe

The Intersolar Europe Conference is once again opening its doors in 2012 alongside Intersolar Europe, the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry. In total, 2,500 attendees and 400 speakers from around the world are set to meet at the conference (including the Side Events), held at the International Congress Centre Munich (ICM) from June 11–14, 2012. Discussions will shed light on the current conditions and developments across international markets as well as the latest technol-ogies and trends, covering the entire industry spectrum from photovoltaics to PV production technologies and solar thermal technologies. The highlights of this year’s conference program include Grid Stability, State-of-the-Art Storage Technologies and Large-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plants. Discussions surrounding solar thermal technolo-gies focus on topics such as Solar Heat for Industrial Processes, Solar Cooling and Solar Heating Concepts.

The Intersolar Europe Conference takes place this year from June 11−14, 2012 at the International Congress Centre Munich (ICM), kicking off two days ahead of Intersolar Europe, the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry. At the conference, international experts from research, industry and industry associations examine and explore exhibition topics and trends. Over 40 sessions, pan-el discussions and workshops covering photovoltaics, PV production technologies and solar thermal technologies address key industry trends and topics. Various networking events provide numerous opportunities to meet international industry players, share experiences and maintain existing con-tacts.

Growth markets, power grids and technologies of the future
Many key markets worldwide are now faced with question of how politics and the economy will shape the energy revolution in the future. The first day of the conference therefore focuses on the various political, financial and legal conditions and requirements in different markets, with a double session on European markets opening the presentations. The Asian and North American markets take center stage on day two. The series concludes on Wednesday with individual sessions on the MENA region, India and emerging markets in rural areas.

The photovoltaics conference area focuses on Grid Integration and Storage Technologies. The Stor-age Technologies presentations on June 11, 2012 center on short and medium-term electrical storage systems such as lead acid, lithium ion, sodium nickel chloride and redox flow batteries. Speakers will shed light on the different areas of application and explain business and cost models for purchasing and operating the various storage systems. A further topic covers technical applica-tions for long-term electricity storage, including hydrogen-based and power-to-gas methods. This involves using electricity to generate hydrogen by means of electrolysis. The hydrogen is then used to produce natural gas, which can be stored in the gas grid and used as needed.

Another exciting conference topic concerns the trend toward ever larger PV power plants, the asso-ciated technologies and the hottest markets. In the PV Power Plants double session on June 12, 2012, speakers from around the globe will discuss the project management of large-scale power plants, quality control in planning and execution, as well as financing opportunities in the current climate of the financial markets.

The key topic for the future of the power grid − grid integration – is scheduled for discussion on Wednesday, June 13. The Grid Integration session uncovers the new challenges placed on the power grid by renewable energy sources, the design of future supply networks, and issues concern-ing safety and standardization.

A conference highlight is the CEO panel discussion, which takes place on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Here, high ranking representatives of multinational PV companies will join science representatives to discuss the latest developments and strategies across the industry. Panel mem-bers include Dr. Peng Fang, Chief Executive Officer of JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China; Udo Möhrstedt, Chief Executive Officer of IBC SOLAR AG, Bad Staffelstein, Germany; and Shwan Qu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar, Kitchener, Canada. The discussion will be led by Prof. Dr. Gerhard P. Willeke, Manager of Photovoltaics at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg.

The latest in PV production technologies
Where production technologies are concerned, this year’s speakers are not only addressing the technological developments in crystalline silicon PV technology and thin film PV technology, but also the issue of how to dispose of modules correctly, a topic that is dealt with in the Recycling Management session on Wednesday, June 13. Here, attention is devoted both to new, compulsory regulations, as well as to the financing, organizing, transporting and recycling of disused, old PV modules. Spokespersons from the European Commission and the national WEEE authorities (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) will join PV industry representatives to discuss the latest de-velopments in recycling management.

What’s more, the 8th Advanced PV Manufacturing Forum is being held on June 12, organized by Intersolar Europe in conjunction with the Semi PV Group from San Jose, USA, and VDMA-PV, the photovoltaic equipment platform of the German Engineering Federation. During the forum, manu-facturers, suppliers, service providers and scientists gain the opportunity to come together and work on developing production equipment and methods, as well as to discuss the latest trends and technologies. A total of six sessions will cover the areas of materials, production equipment, prod-uct innovations, automation, laser systems, optical inspection and design.

Solar thermal technologies: heating and cooling on a grand scale
Solar thermal technologies will also move into the spotlight at the Intersolar Europe Conference 2012 on Tuesday, June 12. This year\'s event focuses primarily on two very recent developments: the large-scale production of solar heat on the one hand, and the possibilities offered by solar cool-ing on the other. The topic of Solar Thermal Technologies Versus Electric Heating is also drawing particular attention. A round table discussion on Tuesday and two additional sessions on Thursday will address this latest development.

During the Solar Heat for Industrial Processes and Large-Scale Solar Thermal Systems sessions on June 13, 2012, experts explain how solar thermal energy can be utilized in energy-intensive indus-tries and how solar thermal power plants can provide large-scale heating for towns and regions in the future. The Solar Cooling session, on the other hand, shows how high levels of solar radiation can be used to meet the need for artificial cooling thanks to solar thermal technologies.

The last day of the Intersolar Europe Conference, June 14, 2012, also focuses on solar thermal markets, with a particular focus on the European and Australian markets.