Solar Power International is a solar power conference, in 2008 was touted as the largest solar power conference in North America. The conference was previously called Solar Power Conference and Expo, and was created in 2004 when the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) joined together to organize an annual event to bring together companies and professionals from all parts of the solar industry. The conference consists of two main elements: an exhibition hall where companies have booths to promote their products and services; and conference sessions where panels of solar industry experts share ideas and success stories. Solar Power International 2010 was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center October 12–14. The 2013 Conference was held on Oct 21-24 in Chicago, Ill at McCormick Place Convention Center and the 2014 Conference will be held on Oct 20-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
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Attendees
Solar Power International is attended by professionals in the solar industry who are builders, project developers, installers, distributors, engineering firms, investors and financiers, service providers, law firms, equipment manufacturers, and manufacturers of tools for equipment manufacturing. Representatives from utilities also attend the conference as well as Government representatives, policymakers, and the press.
Members of the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Solar Electric Power Association receive discounts on registration.
The majority of attendees of Solar Power International come from the United States, however there are a large number of attendees from major solar markets such as China, Japan, and Germany.
Conference Sessions
The conference sessions at Solar Power International are traditionally separated by topic into different tracks. Typical tracks are technical, marketing & sales, market conditions, finance, and politics. There are generally over 70 sessions over the four-day conference.
Start-Up Alley
Start-Up Alley, located on the Expo floor, is a dedicated area specifically designed to promote up-and-coming ideas and companies in the solar industry. It was added to the conference features in 2013. Start-Up Alley offers a competitive forum for 18 early-stage solar companies to present their business proposals. Finalists compete in the Start-Up Alley Challenge where they pitch their business proposals to a panel of entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders.
The Start-Up Alley Finalists for 2013 are: Faze 1 GreenLancer.com, kWh Analytics, Lighting For Learning, renewz sustainable solutions inc., Solar Exchange, Solar Site Design, SolarCast, and Ultrasolar Technology
The Start-Up Alley Semi-finalists for 2013 are: Aeos Technology, Altium Energy, Divya Energy, LimeLight Solar, QuickSolar, Skysun, LLC, SolarZentrum North America, Inc., Sun Synchrony, Tangerine+, and Weave