Solar Power International News

Solar Power International 2010 was a big hit according to the latest stats. There were 1,122 companies attending this year compared to 929 in '09. 2010 conference attendees totaled 23,300 and the entire trade show took up over 1 million square feet of space at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

International solar industry companies made up 32% of exhibitors and were from 111 countries.

Industry Announcements from the Conference:

SEIA and GTM Research's U.S. Solar Market Insight midyear report showed growth of the U.S. solar market for the first half of 2010 and forecasted growth for 2010 and for the next 5 years.

SEIA and SCHOTT Solar's Barometer annual public opinion poll found that 94 percent of Americans think it is important for the US to develop and use solar energy and 80 percent thought Congress should consider shifting subsidies for fossil fuels to solar.

The Solar Foundation's first census of the U.S. solar workforce in the United States, showed that hiring in the solar workforce, currently 93,000, is expected to grow 26 percent over the next year.

"While oil and gas remain a necessity, our nation's future depends on our ability to capture the power of renewable energy," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who spoke at the Solar Power International 2010 Conference and also signed a Record of Decision approving the construction of Nevada's first large-scale solar project on public lands.

"Solar energy is the fastest-growing new energy source in the United States and is driving job creation and investment in all 50 states," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. "But to reach a goal of installing 10 gigawatts of solar capacity every year by 2015, the solar industry needs to unite as a team, fight for policies to create a level playing field and remind our lawmakers that solar is an industry, not an issue. We hope people left Solar Power International excited about the future of our industry and energized to ignite change."

"We strive to make this show relevant to solar veterans and newcomers alike, and relish the annual opportunity to bring together people with diverse business perspectives who share a common interest in solar energy," said Julia Hamm, president and CEO of SEPA. "We're proud that Solar Power International, a bellwether for the growth of the solar market overall, continues to grow in size and diversity, and that it was recognized as the fastest growing show across all industries that exhibitors are flocking to by Trade Show Executive magazine."

Solar Power International 2011 will take place October 18 - 20th in Dallas Texas.

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