More than 90 Midwestern businesses to display the latest in solar energy products and solutions

Solar Power International 2013

ARLINGTON, Va.--Nearly 100 exhibiting companies from nine Midwest states – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin – will display the latest products, technology and solutions related to solar energy at this month's Solar Power International 2013 (SPI ‘13) being held at Chicago's McCormick Place, October 21 – 24. Federal, state, and local policymakers, approximately 600 exhibiting companies and nearly 12,000 solar professionals from around the world are expected to converge at SPI ‘13, North America's premier business-to-business event for professionals in solar energy.

Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio are three of the leading solar power states in the region as evidenced by the number of exhibitors from those states – 61 collectively. Additionally, Minnesota is seen as a trailblazer for state solar policies, having passed the nation's first net-metering law in 1981 and now, the first state to adopt a statewide value-of-solar policy.

"The Midwest is a hub for solar energy. Hundreds of solar companies representing every level of the solar value chain operate within the region and employ thousands," said Stephen Miner, CEO of SPI ‘13 organizer - Solar Energy Trade Shows. "It is fitting that the industry will gather in Chicago to network, discover new products and technologies, and address the variety of issues and challenges facing the industry today."

In addition to the 28 exhibiting companies from Illinois, SPI ‘13 will also feature the Honorable Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois. The Governor will welcome and address SPI attendees during Monday's General Session. Other local Illinois policymakers and solar energy advocates speaking at SPI ‘13 include:

*Amy Francetic, Chief Executive Officer, Clean Energy Trust – General Session: Monday

*Howard Learner, President and Executive Director, The Environmental Law & Policy Center –General Session: Monday

*Madeleine Weil Klein, Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategy, SoCore Energy – Education Session: Tuesday

*Jay Marhoefer, Founder & CEO, Intelligent Generation – Education Session: Tuesday

*Anthony Star, Director, Illinois Power Agency – Education Session: Tuesday

*Timothy Zgonena, Principal Engineer Distributed Energy Resources Equipment and Systems, UL LLC – Education Session: Tuesday

*Aaron Joseph, Deputy Sustainability Officer, Office of the Mayor at City of Chicago – Education Session: Wednesday

*Dan Girard, Director - Renewables & Energy Storage, S&C Electric Company – Education Session: Wednesday

*Sarah Wochos, Senior Policy Advocate & Director of Research, The Environmental Law & Policy Center – Education Session: Wednesday

Event details and attendee registration information is available at solarpowerinternational.com.

SPI brings the full range of industry ideas, experts, professionals and information together in one comprehensive event featuring keynote addresses, sessions and conference events. Through peer-led educational programming designed to exchange ideas and share lessons learned, SPI provides attendees best practices to expand and help grow their business. Throughout the week, SPI offers unique networking opportunities for attendees to connect with industry vendors and professionals from the U.S. and around the world. SPI ‘13 Megawatt sponsors: Kaco New Energy and Clean Power Finance.

For more news on SPI ‘13 before, during and after the show, visit www.solarpowerinternational.com or follow the show on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Solar Power International 2013 (SPI)

Presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), SPI ‘13 is designed to serve and advance the solar power industry and draws industry professionals representing more than 100 countries. SPI ‘13 takes place October 21 - 24 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Registration, sponsorship, exhibitor and program information can be found at: www.solarpowerinternational.com.

About SEIA®

Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

About SEPA

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is an educational non-profit dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar power into their energy portfolios for the benefit of the utility, its customers and the public good. With more than 900 utility and solar industry members, SEPA provides unbiased utility solar market intelligence, up-to-date information about technologies and business models, and peer-to-peer interaction. From hosting national events to utility strategies, SEPA helps utilities make smart solar decisions. For more information, visit www.solarelectricpower.org.