Intersolar and ees North America 2018, the premier solar and energy storage events in North America, today announced two new California Pavilions, hosted in partnership with the California Solar & Storage Association (formerly CALSEIA), and an expanded Powerhouse Pavilion, hosted in partnership with Oakland-based incubator Powerhouse. The three exhibition pavilions provide a platform for emerging companies and promising start-ups to present new products and services. The pavilions underscore Intersolar North America and the co-located ees North America’s commitment to delivering unparalleled information and networking opportunities that help move the North American market forward.
Now in its 11th year, Intersolar and ees North America have been the premier industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners in the solar plus storage industries. As the first major solar and storage event of the year in North America, it is a critical meeting place for industry executives, policymakers, project developers and financers. Located in San Francisco, the epicenter of technological innovation in the United States, attendees often look to the events for a big-picture perspective on the latest market trends impacting the marketplace.
“In the past decade, the solar industry has seen explosive growth along with areas of uncertainty due to shifts in the policy landscape,” said Florian Wessendorf and Daniel Strowitzki, managing directors of Intersolar and ees North America, in a statement. “We’ve weathered trade cases, policy debates, and market consolidations. We are no strangers to the ‘solar coaster,’ and work to ensure that Intersolar and ees North America will provide valuable opportunities for the industry to connect and learn how best to respond to these rapidly changing market dynamics.”
Each year, Intersolar and ees North America is the place to hear industry insights and see technology innovations first. The event draws on the input from its long list of partners to inform its exhibition and conference schedule. This year, attendees can expect to see special attention paid to the recent tariffs passed by the Trump Administration in response to a Section 201 trade complaint. The conference program will feature 40 sessions and workshops that focus on leading edge of policy development and new market trends that are shaping the future of the industry.
Despite the tariffs, new GTM Research expects the solar industry to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of installations in the United States in 2018 and 11.9 gigawatts in 2019, with continuous growth through 2022. Many states are in the process of fulfilling their renewables mandates — California is on-track to meet its Renewables Portfolio Standard RPS, reaching 50 percent of generation as specified by California Energy Commissioner David Hochschild.
“There’s still every reason to be bullish about the California solar and storage market in the long term,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (formerly the California Solar Energy Industries Association). “We will still have a state that is committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and increasing our demand for renewable energy. These larger forces are not stopping or slowing down because of mini-blips in state and federal policy decisions.”
Expo Floor Spotlights Industry Trends at Expo Stages and Pavilions
During the Intersolar/ees North America exhibitions, industry leaders and innovative startups will return to three special pavilions, the California Solar and Energy Storage Pavilions and the Powerhouse Pavilion, which will provide a first look at the technologies that are poised to disrupt the industry.
The California Solar Pavilion returns for its fourth year, joined by the inaugural California Energy Storage Pavilion to showcase member companies from the California Solar & Storage Association. Members can reserve their space now, and enjoy a reduced exhibition rate.
Hosted by Powerhouse, the world’s only incubator and accelerator dedicated to solar, the Powerhouse Pavilion will bring together entrepreneurs and early stage energy companies that are changing the face of the industry. It is located on Level One of Moscone West.
“Cutting-edge clean energy startups attend Intersolar to meet and mingle with industry leaders,” said Emily Kirsch, founder and CEO of Powerhouse. “The Powerhouse Pavilion will showcase the latest innovations in solar and storage – it is where deals get done and long-lasting connections are made.”
Intersolar and ees North America attendees will be able to leverage this year’s conference program to learn about technological innovations, gain insight into emerging trends and participate in workshops and demonstrations across both stages. There will be a variety of additional networking events offered both on the expo floor and off where attendees can share information. Exhibition opportunities and registration are available online.
