28-30 March 2012

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Bulgaria is among the European leaders

International Business Forum in Sofia will focus on the European solar PV market trends.
Two reports examine the European solar PV market in 2011. They indicate slowing growth in the flagship countries and promise in some smaller regions for 2012 and beyond.
New grid-connected PV capacity worldwide in 2011 rose by 67 percent to nearly 28 gigawatts (GW), nearly 21GW of that in Europe (up 57 percent from 2010's 13.3GW), says the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Meanwhile, NPD Solarbuzz calculates European solar PV market growth at 18 percent overall in 2011, with a 23 percent surge in 4Q11 that will quickly result in changes in incentive policies, particularly in Germany and Spain. The difference between their numbers is explainable in how they define what is "installed" and when, or perhaps using different sets of data e.g. demand- vs. supply-side.
Total installed PV capacity worldwide topped 67GW (vs. 39.7GW in 2010), with energy output of around 80 billion kWh enough to supply 20 million households, says the EPIA. In Europe, over 50GW of PV systems were installed at the end of 2011, producing some 60 billion kWh on an annual basis. The EPIA seems confident that Europe increased its cumulative capacity base by over 50 percent.
Here's the EPIA summary of new grid-connected PV in 2011 by regions: Germany (7.5GW); Italy (quadrupling to 9GW of newly connected systems); France (1.5GW); the UK (700MW); Belgium (550MW); Spain (400MW); Slovakia (350MW); Greece (350MW), with particular strength in the residential segment (60MW); Bulgaria (80MW) - small but growing PV capacity.

Growth for all countries will be triggered by two factors: reduced incentive tariffs means less public funding needed to build out individual markets, and as solar PV approaches "grid parity" with retail electricity prices in some markets, investors will become less dependent on public funding.
The European solar PV market will be seriously discussed on 29 March during the PV Discussion forum within the framework of the South-East European Congress on Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy organized by Via Expo in Sofia. The key decision-makers from Europe will speak about the markets and business’ expectations, as well as practical questions like photovoltaics’ distribution and many others.
PV Discussion: Photovoltaics – an Industry at Crossroads

The event will be held on 29 March parallel to the South East European Congress and Exhibition for EE and Renewables .
The discussion will cover the following issues: the European markets; Grid Parity / Incentive Parity / Generation Parity as well as the acceleration of the photovoltaics adoption and the role of the consumer.
Topics:
  • Consolidation of the photovoltaic industry – How to survive?
  • Optimizing procurement – How to distribute photovoltaics?
  • Traditional solar firms versus new entrants – Who will lead the game?
Panelists:
- David Rehacek - Sales Director EEC, SMA Solar Technology AG, (Inverters)
- Tobias Krauth - Sales Director Germany; Sungrow Deutschland GmbH, (Inverters)
- Dusan Kutal - Area Sales Manager EEC - Trina Solar Ltd., (Modules)
- Matthias Wagner - Sales Director, GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., (Wafer)
- Georg Urban - Area Sales Manager EEC, PVXCHANGE International AG, (Distribution & Procurement Partner)
If you are interested in joining the Discussion and promoting your company, please send us an e-mail to office@viaexpo.com
SMA CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

Worldwide leading producer of PV inverters offers the most important components in any PV plant. A broad product range: the appropriate inverter for every performance (from kilowatt to megawatt), every module type, for centralized or decentralized solution, for grid connection or off-grid supply.
NEON ENERGY
Neon Energy is the only company in Greece that issues a written guarantee concerning the output performance and functionality of the PV system, throughout the entire lifespan of the investment, including the financial return on investment. Neon Energy guarantees the maximum output of its' PV systems due to the high level of quality of the equipment used combined with the expert assembly of international firms, issued with the necessary certifications and official guarantees. Neon Energy is the only company that boasts a nation-wide service network: 9 branches and more than 60 representatives and agents across Greece, and a highly specialized, certified and well trained personnel. The company has zero debt or credit dependence of any kind, and all its investment activities and operational expenditures, are financed through the company's own net cash reserves. It is the only company that adopts a model for participatory investments that gives potential investors the opportunity to join the strategic expansion plan of our company in Europe and worldwide.
SOLAREZO

Solarezo, the first French SME to create a large scale solar energy project in Bulgaria, has also been awarded two certifications. Solarezo has just signed a contract in Bulgaria to construct a solar power plant of 3 MWp over 5 hectares. Solarezo is one of the leading companies in the renewable energy field in Aquitaine, working with solar and biomass energy (wood energy). It is an independent company (family owned, and partnered with the Landes-based company DRT, which is a major shareholder in Solarezo). In 2009 they overtook the Sony factory in Pontonx-sur-l’Adour (Landes) with, notably, aid from the French State. This industrial and administrative site houses 90% of Solarezo’s workforce, with two production lines of photovoltaic modules with a total production capacity of 75 MWp. The new solar facility will be situated in Rudnik in the Burgas region. 14,000 photovoltaic modules will be fixed to support structures, which in turn will be held in place by piles mechanically driven into the ground, thereby limiting the use of concrete. This approach fits perfectly with the environmental concerns which have driven Solarezo from the outset. Having started last December, it is expected that the works will be completed in March 2012. The site will produce 4056 MWh per year. Solarezo, which has opened offices in Burgas, has set up a Bulgarian subsidiary company, Solarezo Europa. The company is currently considering new projects for which it can use its technical expertise in this country, such as large scale solar plants, aiming for at least 15MW, via partnerships with other Bulgarian businesses. The company has just been awarded a major quality certification - Tüv certification, which endorses its solar modules as well as the 65 MWp production line (the first 10 MWp line had already been certified).

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