estec2007, the largest international solar thermal conference ever held opens today in Freiburg. With 550 participants from over 50 countries, estec has almost doubled its size, confirming its status as the premier solar thermal event worldwide.
estec2007 is the bi-annual conference of ESTIF (European Solar thermal Industry Federation). It takes place in Freiburg on 19-20 June, in collaboration with Intersolar, the largest solar trade fair in Europe, and is organised by BSW-Solar (German Solar Industry Association).
| A major industry creating employment and clean, secure energy supply |
“The positive feedback of participants, policy makers, media and sponsors has been overwhelming. We have had to revise our expectations upwards. We are proud to host estec once again in Germany, the largest solar thermal market in the world after China. Solar energy is becoming a major industry, not only in our country, and is creating employment and wealth, besides the obvious advantages in terms of clean and secure energy supply”, said Mr Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, Managing Director of BSW.
| Over 100 speakers from 20 countries |
The conference topics cover international market reports, policy, and key technical issues. Some of the keynote speakers are: Ms Mechtild Rothe, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Mr Gerhard Rabensteiner, President of ESTIF. Nearly 100 other speakers from over 20 countries are foreseen, including the most well-known experts in the sector.
As announced by ESTIF today (see separate press release on market statistics), the solar thermal market grew by 46% in 2006, with a new installed capacity of 2100 MWth (3 million m2).
| Market growth reflected in the expansion of Intersolar trade fair |
Horst Dufner, International Project Manager at Intersolar, said: “The number of our exhibitors grew from 454 to 600, and we could expand the exhibition space by 30%, up to 34.000 square meters. Intersolar has outgrown the capacities of Freiburg. In future years we will continue in Munich, where we can accommodate the further growth of the solar industry”. Intersolar opens its doors on 21-23 June.
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