North America's premier business-to-business solar energy event to draw 12,000 professionals

Solar Power International 2013

CHICAGO--Solar Power International 2013 (SPI ‘13), the solar energy industry's most powerful, comprehensive educational conference and product exhibition, opens this week at Chicago's McCormick Place. Exhibits are open October 22 – 24. Approximately 600 exhibiting companies and nearly 12,000 solar professionals from around the world are expected at SPI ‘13.

The event will also feature nearly 60 concurrent sessions and Quick Talks and more than 60 educational sessions on the exhibit floor. Speakers include industry luminaries, business and technical experts, industry analysts, policymakers and more.

Exhibit floor highlights include:

Solar Central – a networking hot spot on the show floor featuring live interviews and breaking news, panel discussions on hot topics, and a chance to speak with session presenters on cutting-edge content. Booth # 1343

Industry Trends – presented by the Solar Electric Power Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, Greentech Media and Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Industry Trends booth is a featured area on the SPI Expo floor that will present educational sessions and market research. Programming opportunities will be small, informative sessions that focus on data driven insights based on solar energy industry competitive intelligence and research. Booth #3038

Start-Up Alley – a dedicated area located on the Expo floor, specifically designed to promote up-and-coming ideas and companies in the solar industry. Start-Up Alley offers a competitive forum for early-stage solar companies to present their business proposals. On Wednesday, October 23 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., finalists will compete in the Start-Up Alley Challenge. This competition gives finalists the opportunity to pitch their business proposals to a panel of highly distinguished entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders. Booth # 3650

PV Technical Training on the Exhibit Floor – a hub of information on grid-tied systems (residential, commercial and utility), grid-tied with battery back-up systems and stand-alone systems where the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and Solar Energy International (SEI) will provide free PV technical training and resources for installers, salespeople and other solar energy professionals at SPI. Booth# 254/354

Educational Posters – daily poster presentations to facilitate dissemination of research results, innovations, an analysis of a practical problem-solving efforts, or recommended best practices to the energy community. Selected posters will be featured on the expo floor. Poster Reception on Wednesday, October 23 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. in the poster display area

SPI ‘13 also features a mobile application providing easy-to-use interactive capabilities to enhance the attendee event experience. The app is designed with a Dashboard to keep attendees organized with up-to-the-minute info, easily organize schedules with one click, interactively locate exhibitors and receive important real-time communications. It also includes a built-in Twitter feed and RSS feeds.

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 businesses. 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.