In its second year running, the organisers Intersolar Europe, BSW-Solar and OTTI together with ARE, put together an off-grid programme comprised of exhibitors, presentations and networking opportunities.

Munich, 23 June 2016 - The 2nd Off-Grid Power Forum, which took place on 21-24 June 2016 at the Intersolar Trade Fair in Munich, was once again in the spotlight and served as the meeting point for the global off-grid sector and scientific community. In its second year running, the organisers Intersolar Europe, BSW-Solar and OTTI together with ARE, put together an off-grid programme comprised of exhibitors, presentations and networking opportunities.

Ernesto Macías, ARE President: "The technical solutions and case studies presented proved the growing importance of off-grid photovoltaic as well as the progress achieved in the last years. As off-grid applications have become more efficient and cost competitive, we wish to meet the growing private sector demand to find adequately skilled experts. This is why the Alliance has developed new tools such as the Off-grid Job Platform to support this positive development."

The Off-Grid Job Platform, which was launched at the Forum on 22 June 2016 and sponsored by ARE member Solarkiosk, plays an important role in attracting talented and motivated individuals to work in the off-grid sector. A stronger presence and visibility of ARE members on the job market, will make it easier for businesses to find the right candidates for their vacancies, for jobseekers to find jobs that match their ambitions and for the sector as a whole to attract new talent.

Thomas Rieger, Solarkiosk Director of Operations: "Solarkiosk is proud to be a sponsor of ARE's new job platform. The dynamic energy sector is in need of a solution that can bring together specialists and companies that can spur electrification both off-grid and rural. For this reason, this dedicated job platform is of relevance for this sector and offers a dedicated space in which companies and applicants can meet."

Jörg Mayer, German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) Managing Director: "The off-grid market is the biggest beneficiary of PV's impressive cost decline (since it clearly wins the competition with fossil fuels today). What remains, are artificial regulatory barriers such as limited access for IPPs. Policymakers have the power to liberate the off-grid market and unlock its full potential."

In light of AREs growing membership, the Off-Grid Matchmaking Platform is another tool that enables effective business-to-business and business-to-finance matchmaking by giving an overview of which ARE members are active where and what their expertise in rural electrification is. The platform serves as a useful tool for businesses, organisations, NGOs and governments seeking project partners, financiers or partners.