In a few years, photovoltaic solar energy will have become a competitive energy source in major markets in the world. Without the need for subsidies. This will be the start of a revolution in the world's energy supply and usage. Are we prepared for this?

In a few years, photovoltaic solar energy will have become a competitive energy source in major markets in the world. Without the need for subsidies. This will be the start of a revolution in the world's energy supply and usage. Are we prepared for this? The CEOs of the world's largest manufacturers of solar cells and modules, Mr Anton Milner of Q-Cells in Germany, and Mr Zhengrong Shi of Suntech Power from China, will share their view on the future of solar energy at a conference in Munich on 26 May. "Most people think that solar energy is something for the future, when prices have come down and cell efficiencies have further improved," says Edwin Koot, CEO of organizer SolarPlaza. "Well, this is your wake up call, because this future is closer than you could imagine."

Given that electric cars seem unavoidable, wouldn't it be great to charge them with green solar electricity from your own roof? Why use polluting fossil fuels, and be dependent on other countries, if solar energy is cheaper? The words "electric car" are now buzzing around the automotive industry as the natural route to take. At the same time, solar PV will become a competitive energy source in countries like Spain, Southern Italy, California in less than five years. If we power our homes with green solar electricity, and drive on this cheaper energy as well, the solar industry will face glorious times. One important question is, where will the solar revolution start first? When, and in which major markets, do experts expect to see grid parity happen first?
Last year was a record year for the international PV industry, with more than 70% growth. This year, the market faces challenges due to a decreased subsidy budget in Spain and an economic and financial crisis in the world. The supply side is outpacing demand in 2009, leading to oversupply and thus module price reductions. Bad for the industry, but good for the market, and the result is that 'grid parity' will be reached sooner. "This 'grid-parity' is the holy grail for the solar industry. When the cost of solar energy equals the cost of electricity from the grid, customers will favor solar PV. At that time, market potential will become unlimited," according to Edwin Koot. Can we reach this Walhalla in three years? What will be the impact of this all on the solar industry? Who will survive the current phase and be ready when the solar revolution really starts? Who do independent industry and the Wall Street experts see as the winners? Is there one technology that will beat the rest?
'The Solar Future' conference, organized by SolarPlaza, will offer the leading platform for high-level networking and anyone interested in learning about the next big global industry. An industry that will create more than 50 billion dollars of annual revenues in 2012. The event will take place at the Kempinsky 'Four seasons' hotel in Munich, just before the start of the world's largest PV exhibition, Intersolar, also in Munich.
Solarplaza is the provider of the leading global PV industry portal www.solarplaza.com, and has previously organized international PV trade missions and PV expert conferences in Spain, Germany, California, China, Germany, Italy, Greece, India and Taiwan.
For more information, please contact: J. Trip (j.trip@solarplaza.com; www.thesolarfuture.com; +31 10 2809198)