The world's largest exhibition for the solar industry, Intersolar Europe, drew to a close on June 10, boasting record exhibitor and visitor numbers. Around 77,000 visitors and 2,280 exhibitors attended the exhibition from June 8-10 and were very pleased with the thematic and technological array presented by Intersolar Europe.

Munich, June 14, 2011. The world's largest exhibition for the solar industry, Intersolar Europe, drew to a close on June 10, boasting record exhibitor and visitor numbers. Around 77,000 visitors and 2,280 exhibitors attended the exhibition from June 8-10 and were very pleased with the thematic and technological array presented by Intersolar Europe. This year, the exhibition centered heavily on the energy revolution and showcased technological solutions for a solar-powered future. Over 2,000 economic and scientific experts convened at the Intersolar Europe Conference at Munich's International Congress Centre (ICM) to discuss the latest developments in international photovoltaic and solar thermal markets as well as cutting-edge technology trends. The conference took place two days prior to and during the exhibition.

Over the last three days, around 77,000 visitors from 156 countries flocked to Intersolar Europe at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. In total, 2,280 exhibitors presented their technologies and services in the fields of "Photovoltaics", "PV Production Technology" and "Solar Thermal Technology" across an exhibition space spanning 168,000 square meters that included 15 exhibition halls and an outdoor exhibition area. This year, the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry once again celebrated significant growth in all exhibition areas. The international character of the exhibitors also reflected the industry's global importance. Companies from across 47 countries came to Intersolar Europe in Munich. Visitors and exhibitors particularly enjoyed the "PV ENERGY WORLD" Special Exhibition which clearly demonstrated the energy mix of the future in Germany. The four thematic areas of "Smart Grid", "Smart Building and E-Mobility", "Smart Cities" and "Smart PV Technology and Economy" illustrated how the share of solar energy in total energy consumption could be increased in the future.

Markus Elsässer, CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim, says: "Thanks to the sharp rise in awareness surrounding the topic of energy supply, Intersolar Europe has grown once again - as an organizer, this is good news of course. However, it is the quality of the event that is more important to us. I believe we have succeeded in directly addressing many questions about future energy supply and, in doing so, have showcased the latest state-of-the-art technology, shining the light on solar solutions along the way. Many exhibitors and visitors agree on our success. We want to build on this thematic approach in the future and thus further highlight possible solar technology solutions." Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim, is one of the organizers of Intersolar Europe, and works in cooperation with Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH (FWTM).

Klaus W. Seilnacht, CEO of FWTM, is equally pleased looking back on the exhibition: "For us as an organizer, Intersolar Europe has this year been particularly shaped by the high level of international participation from visitors and exhibitors, and the wealth of innovations. We see that companies are openly tackling the challenges facing solar markets, and are therefore optimistic about the future after this year."

PV production technology on the up
This year, an entire exhibition area - hall A5 - was dedicated to PV production technology, an area which had to be increased yet again to meet demand. Here, key players in PV production technology from across the globe presented their innovations, products and services in fields including automation, cell and module production, thin-film technology, software, gases and chemicals, and solar glass. "We have received very positive feedback from exhibitors in the area of PV production technology and there was an excellent mood here. Many companies want to boost their involvement at Intersolar Europe next year by increasing their exhibition space. Intersolar Europe is therefore well on its way to achieving firm international standing in this field. This is not just a tribute to Intersolar Europe, but also to the strong commitment of the SEMI PV Group over the past few years," concludes Heinz Kundert, President of SEMI Europe, the global industry association of equipment and material manufacturers specializing in photovoltaics. Mr. Kundert is the collaborative partner in charge of hall A5.

The industry's most innovative companies
This year, in cooperation with the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), the organizers of Intersolar Europe honored the most innovative companies in the solar industry with the Intersolar AWARD for the fourth time running. In the "Photovoltaics" category, the winners were Autarcon GmbH, Kassel; BELECTRIC Drive GmbH, Kolitzheim; and Aluminium Féron GmbH & Co. KG, Düren. In the "Solar Thermal Technology" category, the jury were won over by Absolicon Solar Concentrator AB, Härnösand, Sweden; Dr. Vetter Gesellschaft für Medizinische Datentechnik, Bio- und Umwelttechnik mbH, Baden-Baden; and Savo-Solar Oy, Mikkeli, Finland in collaboration with Hydro Aluminium Precision Tubing, Tønder, Denmark. And in the "PV Production Technology" category, the coveted award was presented to Decker Anlagenbau GmbH, Berching; Manz Automation AG, Reutlingen; and NanoFocus AG, Oberhausen. The award once again highlighted the dynamism of the industry and what solar technology can do for energy supply in the future. "The message from Intersolar Europe 2011 is: If a solid framework is laid down for the solar industry, by 2020 Germany will easily be able to meet 10% of its power consumption and an increasing share of its heating needs with solar energy," says Carsten Körnig, Managing Director of the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar).

Bringing economics and science together at the Intersolar Europe Conference
With a clear boom in figures and experiencing resounding success, the Intersolar Europe conference also ended on a high. From June 6âˆ'10, 2011, economic and scientific experts convened at Munich's International Congress Centre (ICM) at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre for the conference which ran two days prior to Intersolar Europe and throughout its duration. 200 speakers shed light on the latest technological and policy developments in international solar markets across the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technology and solar thermal technology. Over 2,000 attendees visited the conference and side events to engage in discussions with international experts.

Intersolar Europe 2012 will take place from June 13-15 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Further information on Intersolar Europe can be found at www.intersolar.de

Partners 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
With over 3,000 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors spanning three continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar industry. Intersolar Europe takes place annually at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. 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 shed light on the background behind technological, market and political developments.

In addition to Intersolar Europe, Intersolar North America in San Francisco was launched in 2008. This was followed by Intersolar India in 2009, which has been held in Mumbai since 2010. From 2011, Intersolar China in Peking 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 and India are organized by the international subsidiaries Solar Promotion International GmbH, Pforzheim, and Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH (FMMI). Intersolar China is organized by Solar Promotion International GmbH and FMMI in cooperation with MMI Asia.