Products, solutions and services along the entire solar industry supply chain were presented.

São Paulo/Pforzheim/Freiburg, October 04, 2013 – The exhibition and conference for the South American solar industry, Intersolar South America 2013, ended on September 20. Experts discussed current topics relating to technologies and markets in the solar industry across three days from September 18 to 20. A total of 60 speakers and 459 attendees provided for the successful running of the conference. In addition, 64 companies exhibited for the first time this year in a separate exhibitor area of the Expo Center Norte. Products, solutions and services along the entire solar industry supply chain were presented.

Intersolar South America was opened on September 18 in the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, Brazil. 64 exhibitors in the areas of photovoltaics (PV), PV production technologies, energy storage systems and solar thermal technologies from 12 countries, including Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the USA, showcased at the event. 2,288 visitors, 60 speakers and 459 conference attendees used the platform to forge new contacts, hold inspiring discussions and consolidate business connections.

Energy auctions in Brazil eagerly anticipated

On the first day of the conference, presentations focused on developments in global solar markets and the prospects for the South American market. The hot topic of the first day was the conference session on the theme "Brazilian Market: Centralized Generation", which also covered the first-time participation of solar power providers in the current energy auctions in Brazil. 109 PV projects with a total of around 2.7 gigawatts have already been registered for the ongoing "A-3 Auction". Solar power providers figure that they have good chances of being considered. The current challenges and possibilities of the net metering model introduced in Brazil in 2012 were also discussed. The attendees seemed confident that, once existing questions of implementation are solved, a successful remuneration model for PV installations of up to a megawatt (MW) will be available for the further development of the sector.

Alongside Brazil, other countries in the region are also increasingly focusing on solar technology for heat and power generation, as well as indoor air conditioning. In addition to Chile, which raised its renewable energy expansion goal from 10 to 20% by 2020, Argentina and Uruguay also wish to create incentives for the development of their solar markets – for example by introducing remuneration models.

Practical expertise for the South American market

The second day of the conference touched upon best practices for project management, financing and technical specifications of PV power plants. Experts identified the establishment of financing options for on-site consumption solutions for industry, trade and homeowners as the greatest challenge for the future development of the solar industry in Brazil.

Solar heating and cooling as well as the Latin American PV Forum were the focus of the final day of the conference. In the context of the latter, the character of the net metering model as a role model for South America was discussed, as well as solutions for training additional skilled workers in the region and more efficient regional and international knowledge sharing in the solar industry.

Intersolar South America and ENIE 2014 under one roof

Organizers, partners and attendees appeared to be highly satisfied with the progress of this year's
event. The exhibition is expected to grow to around 150 exhibitors next year. Intersolar South
America 2014 will take place together with the Electrical Installations Conference and Exhibition,
ENIE 2014, from August 26 to 28. Through the cooperation with ENIE, over 10,000 visitors are
expected at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, Brazil.

Intersolar South America 2014 will take place in the Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, from
August 26 to 28.
For more information, please visit www.intersolar.net.br