Thanks to a highly successful Intersolar and ees North America exhibition and conference co-located in San Francisco this past July, conference organizers Solar Promotion International and Freiburg Management and Marketing International (FMMI) contributed more than $300,000 to the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA). The funds will be used to support CALSEIA’s policy efforts in California, the largest U.S. solar and energy storage market.
“California leads the U.S. solar and energy storage market in a variety of ways, from installing the largest amount of solar in the country to implementing groundbreaking policy and incentive programs. Ensuring it remains strong is one of our top priorities,” said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion International, an Intersolar North America organizer. “We are pleased to offer financial support for the good work of CALSEIA in fighting for the ITC, net energy metering, and other key policies.”
The funds were raised from events like Solar Summerfest, Intersolar North America’s largest networking event, jointly organized conference programs and other revenue-sharing activities at Intersolar North America, the most-attended solar industry event dedicated to the North American market. CALSEIA will use the funds to continue its work to win critical campaigns such as extending the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and protecting Net Energy Metering (NEM).
“To participate in Intersolar North America is to help extend the ITC and protect NEM right here in California,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association. “We are grateful for Intersolar North America’s generous support of our work and look forward to another highly successful show in 2016.”
In addition to financial support, Intersolar organizers also provide CALSEIA a high visibility platform for building grassroots support for priority campaigns. At this year’s event, CALSEIA volunteers collected thousands of signatures from conference participants and exhibition visitors for a petition to Congress calling for the extension of the ITC.
“It isn’t enough to wring out hands over the threat of the ITC cliff looming large in 2016,” Del Chiaro said. “We have to stand up and do something and not let congressional inaction cost America tens of thousands of jobs.”
Intersolar also worked with CALSEIA to reinvigorate the popular CALSEIA Pavilion for exhibitors. Facilitated by a special CALSEIA-Intersolar membership promotional offer, 10 CALSEIA newcomers were able to exhibit their products and services. Companies ranging from start-ups to small and mid-sized companies were given the opportunity to meet industry insiders and network with the nearly 18,000 exhibition visitors throughout the course of the three-day exhibition.
Additionally, the publication of Intersolar and CALSEIA’s new white paper, “U.S. Solar-Plus-Storage Market: Drivers, Economics and Outlook” reflected their commitment to supporting the broader U.S. market with vital, accessible research. The comprehensive research, indicating a combined market value of $3.1 billion by 2020, was provided by GTM Research and is now available free at Intersolar’s website.
“Intersolar is known as the first-of-the-year launch pad for the latest in technological trends for solar and energy storage,” said Daniel Strowitzki, CEO of FMMI International, co-organizer of Intersolar North America. “We are committed to supporting a strong solar and energy storage future in North America, and we are very proud supporters of CALSEIA and the tremendous work they do.”
The co-located Intersolar North America and ees North America will return to San Francisco’s Moscone Center on July 12-14, 2016.
