Fast-growing Brazilian PV market accelerates participation at Latin America solar industry exhibition and conference

SAO PAULO/PFORZHEIM/FREIBURG, September 10, 2015 - Intersolar South America, the largest solar exhibition in South America, and part of the worlds leading exhibition series for the solar industry, welcomed a record of more than 9,000 visitors to Sao Paulos Expo Center Norte from September 1 to 3, 2015—more than doubling the number of expected attendees.

"The Latin American solar market, and Brazil in particular, is ready for a breakthrough, and you could feel the industrys excitement in conference sessions and on the show floor in Sao Paulo," said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion International, one of the organizers of Intersolar South America.

"As the largest solar event in South America, Intersolar provides a platform for attendees to learn about this new market and connect with key stakeholders in Brazil, Chile and beyond. We were excited to welcome far more than 9,000 visitors, and look forward to next years event," adds Daniel Strowitzki, CEO of Freiburg Marketing Management International, also an organizer of the show.

Conference Highlights

The 2015 conference kicked off with a keynote address with comments from Senator Wilder Pedro de Morais, Sanado Fderal, Brazil; Eduardo Azevedo, Executive Secretary of Energy, Secretariat of Infrastructure of Pernambuco, Brazil; and Deputy Gil Pereia, Assembleia Legislative do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil. The three speakers championed Brazils ambitious renewable energy plan, crediting the program with bringing significant new PV capacity online. The speakers also agreed solar is one of the main energy sources that will power the countrys growing energy needs. The Brazilian government plans to add 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of PV systems by 2023, and GTM Research projects that the Latin American market will add 2.2 GW of capacity in 2015 alone.

More than 800 conference attendees packed 112 presentations, with speakers addressing standing- room only audiences. In particular, the PV Workshop "Residential Photovoltaic Systems -Technical Aspects and Regulation" registered more than 250 attendees. Other popular session topics ranged from new business models, to legal and policy issues, to market barriers. A total of 91 speakers presented during the conference.

A popular discussion on the financing track was the Brazilian governments tenders. Analysts expect auctions, held by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica, or ANEEL), will contract more than 500 MW in large-scale PV projects this fall— significantly boosting the approximately 1 GW that came online as a result of last years tenders. Last year was Brazils first successful national solar tender. It awarded more than 31 projects slated to come online by November 1, 2018.

Exhibition Highlights

More than 115 exhibitors from 11 countries participated in Intersolar South America—an increase of 60 percent since last years event. The PV exhibition segment was particularly robust, with exhibitors displaying the newest technologies ranging from PV cells to modules to thin film products. Companies providing balance of system components, as well as battery technologies and PV tracking and mounting systems also exhibited on the show floor. Additionally, policy makers and business services had a strong presence, and educated attendees on the opportunities for solar project development in Brazil and other Latin American countries.

"This is the second time S4 Solar do Brasil exhibited at Intersolar South America. The exhibition this year was fantastic, with increased attendance and greater involvement from attendees—we welcomed nearly twice as many visitors to our booth as last year," commented João Alvares, director at S4 Solar do Brasil. "It is the right time for this type of business in Brazil and many professionals are interested forging solar business connections."

"We were extremely pleased with our participation. So many business opportunities developed on- site that our concern now is how we will realize all the new demand," added Antonio Montoto, business coordinator at GPTech, gold sponsor of the show. The company announced at Intersolar a partnership with Ecom Energy to launch power generation solutions distributed to the Brazilian market.

"Our exhibition space grew significantly in 2015, and we are looking forward to an even bigger event next year from August 23 to 25 with the parallel event ENIE (exhibition for electrical installations)," Edgard Laureano da Cunha Junior, CEO Aranda Eventos, co-organizer of the event. "We recommend exhibitors save their spots early to secure the best exhibition slots."

About Intersolar
With events spanning four continents, Intersolar is the worlds leading exhibition series for the solar industry and its partners. It unites people and companies from around the world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in our energy supply.

Intersolar South America is the international exhibition and conference for the South American solar industry. It takes place at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, Brazil.

The events exhibition and conference both focus on the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, energy storage systems and solar thermal technologies. Since being founded, Intersolar has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners in the global solar industry.

A total of 115 exhibitors and over 9,000 trade visitors attended Intersolar South America in 2015. 91 speakers and more 817 attendees discussed current industry topics and shed light on the conditions surrounding technological, market and political developments at the accompanying conference.

With over 20 years of experience, Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together members of the solar industry from across the worlds most influential markets. Intersolar exhibitions and conferences are held in Munich, San Francisco, Mumbai, Beijing and São Paulo. These global events are complemented by the Intersolar Summits, which take place in emerging and growing markets worldwide.

For more information on Intersolar South America, please visit: www.intersolar.net.br
Organizers: Intersolar South America is organized by Solar Promotion International GmbH, Pforzheim, Freiburg Management and Marketing International GmbH (FMMI) and Aranda Eventos & Congressos Ltda, São Paulo as the co-organizer.

Intersolar South America 2016
Date: August 23-25, 2016 Expo Center Norte - São Paulo - SP For more information on Intersolar go to: http://www.intersolar.net.br