Intersolar invites international solar companies to submit applications for the solar industry's most distinguished award for innovation

Munich, February 22, 2011. On June 8, 2011 the fourth annual Intersolar AWARD is being presented at Intersolar Europe. The award pays tribute to innovative products and services in the fields of Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Technology and PV Production Technology. This year, the Intersolar AWARD particularly reflects the industry's international character and global importance: For the first time exhibitors of Intersolar India in Mumbai are invited to put their applications forward alongside exhibitors of Intersolar Europe in Munich and Intersolar North America in San Francisco. This increases the number of companies entitled to participate to over 3,000. Exhibitors interested in taking part can submit their application from February 15 to April 1, 2011.

Favorable political framework conditions, such as the Renewable Energy Sources Act in Germany or the National Solar Mission launched by the Indian government in early 2010, are leading to continuous growth in the solar industry worldwide. Intersolar has grown in step with the industry, right down to its globalization. Because it is the only global event-series for the solar industry, Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together the most influential solar markets around the world.

Challenges for the Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Industry
The industry has grown tremendously on an international level over the past few years. While this is a positive development, companies have to react quickly to the challenges that come from such strong growth. For example, in the future, system costs will need to be further reduced in order to balance out the contraction of feed-in tariffs in Germany. Indeed, solutions for decreasing the cost of photovoltaic plants are currently being sought.

In order for the desired, large-scale expansion of photovoltaics to be achieved, existing grid infrastructures must be adapted. A number of solutions are already available, spanning from increasing private consumption through innovative storage concepts, to optimizing load management when fluctuating energy sources are fed into the grid.

Solar thermal technology is also faced with new challenges, but at the same time, it continues to open up other areas of application through technological innovations. In addition to solar heating, these technological innovations include solar air conditioning, solar thermal power plants and the production of process heat for various industrial uses. However, noticeably more cost-effective solutions must be brought onto the market in future to increase acceptance among end users and industrial clients.

Intersolar AWARD - Honoring an Innovative Industry
The Intersolar AWARD 2011 pays tribute to the innovative strength of the industry. Klaus Gehrlicher, CEO of Gehrlicher Solar AG based in dornach near Munich, and a 2010 winner in the Photovoltaics category, notes that "as one of the most important industry awards, the Intersolar AWARD has worldwide significance. It is a great advertisement in our communications and a sure sign of our company's innovative strength". The award-winning products or services from companies are being presented to an expert audience at Intersolar Europe in Munich. Nominees and winners will attract the attention of the international solar industry, even after the exhibition comes to a close. Roland Heinzen, manager of FSAVE Solartechnik GmbH from Kassel in Germany, a 2010 winner in the Solar Thermal Technology category, expressed his delight at being awarded the prize: "The fact that we were able to make a great impression on the jury of the Intersolar AWARD 2010 with our FLEXSAVE Duo heat buffer storage tank, strengthens our belief that we, as a highly innovative company, are moving in the right direction. The award not only gave us more prominence at Intersolar and within the international solar industry, but it also proved to our customers that we offer a serious alternative to conventional solar thermal systems".

Intersolar Expands Circle of Participants
This year, for the first time, exhibitors of Intersolar India in Mumbai are invited to put forward their applications alongside exhibitors of Intersolar Europe in Munich and Intersolar North America in San Francisco. Thanks to this development, the number of eligible participants has now increased to over 3,000 companies. The Intersolar AWARD is thus the solar industry's most international prize and makes Intersolar Europe the central meeting place for leaders of innovation.

Application, Nomination and Award Ceremony
The Intersolar AWARD 2011 is being presented in the Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Technology and PV Production Technology categories.

Applications are welcomed for products or solutions being exhibited for the first time in 2011 at Intersolar Europe or at Intersolar North America, or that were exhibited at Intersolar India 2010. A product or solution presented at a previous Intersolar exhibition may also be submitted only significant refinements have been made to it. Submissions must currently be going through trials, have been recently trialed or already be in industrial use.

The multi-stage selection process guarantees that only the most impressive innovations will be allowed to participate. In the first phase of the selection process, an expert panel will select the top ten submissions in each category and nominate them for the Intersolar AWARD. An expert jury, made up of specialists from science, industry, research and trade media, will make the final decision and elect three winners from the nominees in each category. The Intersolar AWARD will be presented during an official ceremony on June 8, 2011, the first day of Intersolar Europe.

Companies who would like to apply must first preregister under "Exhibitor Service", then "Marketing + Promotion", and select the menu item "Intersolar AWARD", at their respective Intersolar website. Once preregistration is complete, exhibitors will then be given access to download application forms via the Intersolar AWARD Portal. All applications must be submitted between February 15 and April 1, 2011.

Intersolar Europe 2011 takes place from June 8-10 at the New Munich Trade Fair Center.

For more information about Intersolar Europe please go to www.intersolar.de.

Supporters of Intersolar Europe
Intersolar Europe is supported by the leading solar industry associations: the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), as an exclusive partner of Intersolar Europe, the German Solar Energy Society (DGS), the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the SEMI PV Group. With the support of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).

About Intersolar
About Intersolar With over 3,000 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors on three continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition for the entire solar industry. Intersolar Europe takes place annually at the New Munich Trade Fair Center. Today, it is the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry, and looks back on a history spanning twenty years. In 2010, 1,884 international exhibitors and more than 72,000 trade visitors were welcomed to Intersolar Europe. Intersolar Europe focuses on the areas of Photovoltaics, PV Production Technology and Solar Thermal Technology. Since its founding, it has become established as the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers and service providers. The accompanying Intersolar Europe Conference consolidates the topics of the exhibition. In 2010, more than 150 speakers and around 2,000 attendees discussed current industry topics and investigated the background of technological, market and political developments.

In 2008, Intersolar North America in San Francisco became the second exhibition after Intersolar Europe, followed by Intersolar India in 2009, which will be held in Mumbai from 2010. From 2012, Intersolar China will be added to the Intersolar portfolio. Intersolar Europe is organized by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG. The exhibitions in North America, India and China are organized by the international subsidiaries Solar Promotion International GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH (FMMI).