Solar Power Colorado to Highlight ‘State of the Industry’ Panel

January 31, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Solar Power Colorado to Highlight ‘State of the Industry’ Panel
with National Solar Leaders & Top Global Analysts  

Governor Hickenlooper and solar CEOs to participate in the state’s
largest business-to-business solar conference and expo
on February 9-10, 2012 in Loveland, Colorado

LOVELAND, CO – National solar leaders and hundreds of business executives are set to convene to discuss emerging trends and opportunities for continued growth. Solar Power Colorado is the largest business-to-business solar conference and expo in the state and takes place February 9-10, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Loveland, Colorado. Solar leaders are traveling from across the U.S. to attend.

Headline presenters include Rhone Resch, CEO of the Solar Energy Industry Association based on Washington DC. He will be joined by two of the solar industry’s top global analysts – Paula Mints, Navigant’s Principal Solar Analyst and Travis Bradford, author of the book Solar Revolution – as well as national policy expert Adam Browning, Executive Director of the Vote Solar Initiative in a ‘State of the Industry’ panel discussion.

Governor John Hickenlooper will deliver the keynote address  to an audience of hundreds of solar executives from across the U.S. to reinforce Colorado's national leadership in energy. Solar Power Colorado is produced by the nonprofit Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA).

“We’ve seen a huge increase in investments from Fortune 500 companies into the solar marketplace this past year and that’s fueling new opportunities,” said Neal Lurie, COSEIA’s Executive Director.  “Solar Power Colorado helps businesses understand the latest changes to strengthen their positioning and to build the right partnerships to succeed.”

Solar Power Colorado will explore how significant investments in solar finance are spurring growth, and how Colorado’s new Solar Thermal Roadmap could awaken the ‘sleeping giant of renewable energy’. Conference sessions will discuss current challenges including utility program changes and regulatory decisions to watch. They will also highlight innovative and new solar products ready for takeoff.

“Colorado is widely recognized as a solar leader, which is a big reason why we selected Colorado as the first state to launch our POWERHOUSETM Solar Shingle,” said Kate Nigro, spokesperson for Dow Solar, the lead sponsor of Solar Power Colorado. “We wouldn’t be investing in this state if we didn’t see tremendous long-term potential, and Solar Power Colorado provides an ideal venue to develop the right partnerships and identify new opportunities for growth.”

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar is the fastest growing energy technology in the U.S. exceeding $6 billion per year in annual revenue. Solar has also become a major industry in Colorado. According to a recent study, Colorado is now the #1 state in the nation in solar jobs, per capita. GE has also recently announced plans to build a $300 million solar manufacturing facilities in Aurora.

Solar Power Colorado is open to business leaders, solar professionals, career changers and the general public. For more information and to register visit: www.coseia.org

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Media passes are available to credentialed reporters, producers, and other media professionals. Excellent visuals available in the large exhibit hall with the latest solar technology. Three don’t miss sessions include the ‘State of the Industry’ panel Thurs 2/9 8:30-10am; Governor Hickenlooper’s address Thurs 2/9 3-4pm; and the Solar CEO panel on Friday 2/10 8:30-10am. Contact Neal Lurie at COSEIA at 303.333.7342 for more info.

About the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association:
Established in 1989, the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) is the voice of the solar industry in Colorado. COSEIA represents and serves more than 200 member companies in Colorado. Its mission is to expand solar markets and generate jobs and prosperity for the people of Colorado. COSEIA advances solar policy, removes market barriers, highlights emerging trends, and improves education and outreach. www.coseia.org

Contact: Neal Lurie, COSEIA, 303.333.7342