Significant photovoltaic conferences and events in 2009.

In chronological order, here are the conferences I am interested in following or covering in 2009. Given that visibility thing, I’m not making plans beyond PHOTON’s Technology Show.

As last year (Part 2 update), my focus remains technical conferences and business to business trade shows, not regional marketing or sales events. However, I am still considering smaller technical conferences in lieu of the larger mega events because of repetitive content. There is little location alignment among the eleven events although the San Francisco Bay area and Munich have two events each.

Concentrated Photovoltaics Summit 2009
February 3-4, 2009
San Diego, California USA

It’s already very late to attend this event, but I’ve had the courtesy ad button in my sidebar for almost two months. This Concentrator PhotoVoltaics (CPV) summit, “CPV goes commercial – how to build, maintain and run a profitable CPV plant”, has Expert Speakers and Agenda realized by First Conferences Ltd.

Fourth Annual Clean Technology and Renewables Conference
February 19, 2009
New York City, New York USA

This Piper Jaffray & Co. (NYSE:PJC) invitation only event is hosted by Sr. Research Analyst Jesse Pichel and team. Good luck snagging an invitation to this Piper client focused event. I didn’t even try to request one. Instead, I will investigate PV synergies with high-brightness LEDs at Strategies in Light held February 18– 20, 2009, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California USA.

PHOTON’s 4^th Photovoltaic Technology Show 2009 Europe (36 page Brochure)
March 4-6, 2009 (Conferences March 3-6, 2009)
Munich (München), Germany

While the Photovoltaic Technology Show headlines a photovoltaic production equipment exhibition, this show is a nexus for five distinct PHOTON EXPO conferences held in early March:

• 7^th Solar Silicon Conference – March 3, 2009
• 4^rd PV Production Equipment Conference (Part 1 – C-Si) – March 4, 2009
• 4^rd PV Production Equipment Conference (Part 2 – Thin film) – March 5, 2009
• 4^th PV Investors Conference – March 5, 2009
• 2^nd Solar Electric Utility Conference – March 6, 2009

I enjoyed PHOTON‘s Searching for the »Second Solar« Conference Series USA in December. This conference had a fresh feel compared to otherwise stale and repetitive messages over the 2008 conference trail. After missing PHOTON’s Photovoltaic Technology Show Europe 2008 because of the GUNTHER Portfolio Hiatus auto accident, there is a destiny quality to attending this year. Sorry for the melodrama.

Clean Tech Open
California Clean Tech Open 2009 Competition
San Francisco / Silicon Valley, California USA

Per the Events – California Clean Tech Open 2009 Competition page, the Launch Event will be on March 19, 2009, although the location has not been disclosed. The competition continues through October culminating with the October 27, 2009 – Awards Gala.

Intersolar 2009
May 27-29, 2009 (5th PV Industry Forum 2009 May 25-26, 2009)
Munich (München), Germany

Intersolar returns to the New Munich Trade Fair Centre for a second year. Almost 52000 visitors from 140 countries explored 1050 exhibitors spread across the 76000 square meter Intersolar 2008 Exhibition. Intersolar 2009 expands the exhibition space to almost 100000 square meters in nine exhibit halls. Perhaps bicycle rentals should be offered?

A two day Draft Program 2009 for the PV Industry Forum is available. In addition, the Conference Program has the complete conference schedule from May 25-28, 2009.

34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC 34)
June 7-12, 2009
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

The schedule for PVSC 34 was accelerated to occur one year after PVSC 33. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has partnered with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to enhance PVSC 34 with PV America June 8-10, 2009. This includes an enlarged exhibition and a sketchy PV America – Schedule-at-a-Glance! conference.

SEMICON West 2009 / Intersolar North America 2009
July 14-16, 2009 Exhibition
San Francisco, California USA

There are scant details about the second year of this event. The Welcome page claims:

Intersolar North America (NA) 2009 features double the floor space, which will house the expected 400 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors in Moscone Center West. The conference will also increase its size and program to accommodate the 1,600 expected attendees.

Will any significant products be launched here for the US market instead of Solar Power International?

24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
September 21-25, 2009
Hamburg, Germany

Of course, the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) continues as my must cover conference selection and sentimental favorite for 2009. Although Valencia was spoiled by my baggage travails with Iberia Airlines, I look forward to a budget friendlier conference in Hamburg. And it is not held during the US Labor Day holiday in 2009.

With a comprehensive technical conference program, the 6th EPIA European PV Industry Forum, and a further expanded trade exhibition, this is the best annual technical and business to business solar conference and exhibition (period)! Per “Press Release 30th January 2009”, the “Exhibition area largely surpasses previous year event” with 65000 square meters versus 50000 in Valencia. I thought the Valencia Exhibition was plenty big.

Solar Power International 09
October 27-29, 2009
Anaheim, California USA

Solar Power International (SPI) has established itself as the premiere US solar business to business event attracting almost 18000 registered attendees plus more than 5700 visitors during the Public Night in 2008. I was expecting this to be an inexpensive event until the location was changed from San Jose to Anaheim. I imagine southern California requires intense education about the merits of solar.

22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum
Fall 2009 (specific date and hotel not announced)
Denver, Colorado USA

This is the original renewable energy business plan competition. As last year, the NREL team has not yet set the exact dates. New information will be posted to the www.cleanenergyforum.com website when finalized. I posted Solar start-up Ampulse wins Best Early Seed Investment Award at the 21st NREL Industry Growth Forum about the 2008 event. The 21st NREL Forum Proceedings are available.

10th Forum Solarpraxis
November 19-20, 2009
Berlin, Germany

The 10th Forum Solarpraxis (Deutsch) will again be the week before the Thanksgiving Day holiday in the United States. Here is the announcement in English und Deutsch.

I’ve requested information about PVSEC18, the 18th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference & Exhibition, concluding on January 23, 2009, in Kolkata, India. Alas, the conference organizers have not even acknowledged my requests.