Intersolar Europe Presents the Latest Trends in Photovoltaics

MUNICH, May 18, 2011 -

    Intersolar Europe
    Munich, June 8-10, 2011

- The Future of Solar Power at the World's Largest Exhibition for the
Solar Industry

Technological developments in the area of photovoltaics are advancing
daily. As a result, the cost of solar power is falling and new concepts are
being developed for generating electricity in the future. Photovoltaics plays
a major role at the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry,
Intersolar Europe in Munich. From June 8-10, 2011, around 2,000 companies
will showcase the latest trends and developments in this field alone, with
photovoltaics once again occupying a large part of the exhibition.
Approximately 300 of these companies work in both photovoltaics and solar
thermal technology. In an exhibition space covering 165,000 square meters, a
total of 2,200 companies from around the world will present their products
and services in the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technology and
solar thermal technology.

Faced with the environmental challenges that go hand in hand with
supplying energy to an increasing global population, numerous incentive
programs across the globe have emerged for developing renewable energy - most
recently in India and China for example. At the same time, the German feed-in
tariff is falling. Therefore, researchers and industry are working against
the clock to achieve grid parity - the point at which electricity from
photovoltaic installations can be sold at a competitive price.

Greater efficiency for greater performance

The rise in solar module efficiency is particularly encouraging as
regards improving the performance of solar installations. As recently as
February, researchers at Freiburg's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy
Systems ISE posted a new record for the efficiency of large-area,
easy-to-manufacture silicon solar cells, reaching 19.3% - these cells could
soon emerge on the market.

Researchers are pursuing different avenues to increase solar cell
efficiency. Selecting optimal silicon material and developing new innovative
production methods and technologies both play their role in boosting
efficiency. Such methods include improving emitters, for example, which
collect the electric charge carriers. This was also the approach adopted by
researchers at Fraunhofer ISE, who developed an aluminum-doped emitter for
their record breaking module. Nanotechnology and pioneering laser processing
techniques, which are used for example in optimizing the rear surface
structure of the solar cell, are also paving the way for innovative and
highly efficient systems.

Improved production plants for high output modules

The last 20 years have witnessed some irrefutable technological advances
in photovoltaics. In 1989, the world record for the efficiency of
multicrystalline silicon solar cells stood at 14.5%. In 2004, this rose to
17.7% and the 20% mark is already in sight for 2011. Developments in this
field are first and foremost thanks to improved production methods. For
example, improved silicon crystallization processes in modern plants can
alone raise module efficiency by at least 0.4%.

This year, Intersolar Europe is therefore once again dedicating an entire
hall to innovations in production technology for photovoltaic cells and
modules. In cooperation with the SEMI PV Group, the global industry
association of equipment and material manufacturers specializing in
photovoltaics, Intersolar Europe will host 200 national and international
exhibitors in hall A5 where they will showcase products and services in the
PV production technology field across 11,000 square meters of exhibition
space.

An structured insight into a diverse market

It must be pointed out that the examples listed are just a taste of the
technological advances in this extremely diverse industry. In addition to
developments in the field of crystalline silicon solar cells, consumers today
are confronted with an array of alternative systems, particularly thin-film
technologies based on CIS/CIGS, cadmium telluride and the new copper zinc tin
sulfide (CZTS).

Around 2,000 exhibitors will present their latest developments in the
fields of photovoltaics and PV production technology at Intersolar Europe,
giving visitors a unique overview of the global developments in the industry.
The exhibition's accompanying program will also shine a light on the
industry's world-class innovations and give visitors the chance to delve
deeper into the diverse exhibition themes. On June 8, 2011, the Intersolar
AWARD will be presented for the fourth time running. The award pays tribute
to companies, products and services in the categories of "Photovoltaics",
"Solar Thermal Technology" and "PV Production Technology". Visitors wanting
to discover the latest trends and newest products should go along to
Intersolar Europe's Innovation Exchange which will provide an overview of the
latest innovations. Here, exhibitors are given fifteen minutes to present
their innovations - this will run in parallel throughout the entire
exhibition.

Innovations in application

Intersolar Europe not only focuses on technology itself, but also shines
the spotlight on innovative applications and system solutions, such as those
involved in using unconventional surfaces for photovoltaic installations.
Alternative surfaces for photovoltaic installations - such as carport roofing
- are currently taking center stage in the industry.

Solar carports are a worthwhile alternative to conventional surfaces
because no additional ground sealing is required and they offer huge
potential. The largest installation of this type is located in Italy and is
already boasting an output of six megawatts. Furthermore, the costs are only
slightly higher than those for free-standing installations. The industry is
currently developing multiple new ideas so that, in the future, the power
generated from the carports may be used directly or indirectly for parked
electric vehicles. The future of photovoltaics will also feature, for
example, in Intersolar Europe's Special Exhibition "PV ENERGY WORLD" in hall
B5, booth B5.130, where the German energy mix of the future will be
explained. The four thematic areas of "Smart Grid", "Smart Building and
E-Mobility", "Smart PV Cities" and "Smart PV Technology and Economy" will
illustrate how to increase the share of solar energy in German energy
consumption in the future.

Munich welcomes the international solar industry

From June 8-10, 2011 the international solar industry will convene at the
New Munich Trade Fair Center for Intersolar Europe 2011. The world's largest
exhibition for the solar industry will feature 2,200 international exhibitors
presenting their products and services across 165,000 square meters of
exhibition space, spanning 15 exhibition halls and an outdoor exhibition
area. Over 75,000 visitors from all over the world are expected to attend
Intersolar Europe 2011, all eager to find out about the latest products and
services in the fields of photovoltaics, PV production technology and solar
thermal technology.

Intersolar Europe 2011 will take place from June 8-10 at the New Munich
Trade Fair Center.

For more information about Intersolar Europe please go to
www.intersolar.de

Supporters of Intersolar Europe

Intersolar Europe is supported by the leading solar industry
associations: the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), as an
exclusive partner of Intersolar Europe, the German Solar Energy Society
(DGS), the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), the
International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the SEMI PV Group, with the
support of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).

About Intersolar

With over 3,000 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors spanning three
continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar
industry. Intersolar Europe takes place annually at the New Munich Trade Fair
Center. Today, it is the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry,
and looks back on a history spanning twenty years. In 2010, 1,884
international exhibitors and more than 72,000 trade visitors were welcomed to
Intersolar Europe. Intersolar Europe focuses on the areas of photovoltaics,
PV production technology and solar thermal technology. Since its founding, it
has become established as the most important industry platform for
manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers and service providers. The accompanying
Intersolar Europe Conference consolidates the topics of the exhibition. In
2010, more than 150 speakers and around 2,000 attendees discussed current
industry topics and shed light on the background behind technological, market
and political developments.

In addition to Intersolar Europe, Intersolar North America in San
Francisco was launched in 2008. This was followed by Intersolar India in
2009, which has been held in Mumbai since 2010. From 2011, Intersolar China
will be added to the Intersolar portfolio. Intersolar Europe is organized by
Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe
GmbH & Co. KG. The exhibitions in North America, India and China are
organized by the international subsidiaries Solar Promotion International
GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH
(FMMI).

Contact:

Solar Promotion GmbH | P.O. Box 100 170 | 75101 Pforzheim, Germany

Horst Dufner | Tel.: +49-7231-58598-0 | Fax: +49-7231-58598-28 |
info@intersolar.de

Press contact:

fischerAppelt, relations | Infanteriestrasse 11a | 80797 Munich, Germany

Robert Schwarzenbock | Tel. +49-89-747466-23 | Fax +49-89-747466-66 |
rs@fischerAppelt-relations.de

Iris Funke | Tel. +49-89-747466-221 | Fax +49-89-747466-66 |
ifu@fischerAppelt-relations.de

.