Receive a 25% discount on the participation fee from March 15 to April 15

Munich, March 15, 2016 - The development of the global solar markets, smart renewable energy, photovoltaics (PV) installation maintenance and financing solar energy: From June 21-22, the Intersolar Europe Conference focuses on topical trends in the industry in the ICM - Internationales Congress Center München. The event takes place in parallel to Intersolar Europe, the worlds leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners. Visitors have the opportunity to discuss specialist topics with around 1,500 attendees and speakers (including side events), forge new business contacts and network with international colleagues. Register for the conference between March 15 and April 15 to take advantage of the discount marking the 25th anniversary of Intersolar Europe: The Intersolar Europe Conference tickets are reduced by 25% during this period.

Prospects for the solar industry are bright. Significant growth in the global market for PV power plant operation and maintenance has been forecast for the years ahead. According to the study Megawatt-Scale PV O&M and Asset Management 2015-2020 by GTM Research and Solichamba Consulting, the market will increase to over 488 GW by 2020, after reaching 133 GW in the past year. Thats why years Intersolar Europe Conference - which is taking place from June 21-22, before and during Intersolar Europe - includes a focus on the management and maintenance of PV installations. The session titled PV Power Plant: Operation and Maintenance begins at 11:00am on the first day of the conference and sheds light on the increasingly diverse plant management business. On the same day, the PV Power Plants: The Rise of Drones & Robots session at 2:00pm showcases how service companies and PV installation owners can benefit from innovative technology. One of the presentations central topics is how unmanned aerial vehicles can be used, for example, to quickly take thermal images from the air during plant inspections.

Overview of the global PV market
The market study Global Market Outlook provides information on the most important PV growth markets in the world and will be presented by SolarPower Europe, the association for the European photovoltaic industry, exclusively at the Intersolar Europe Conference on June 21 at 10:00am. The findings make forecasts for the next five years, assess individual markets and evaluate current and future sales drivers. During the conference, there are several sessions dedicated to growth markets in America, Asia and Europe. Last year, 60% of the global demand came from Asia — the continent has established itself as the fastest growing region. Most notably China, but also India, Japan and Thailand are expected to generate sales growth in the coming years. The future also looks promising for the USA. Experts anticipate a US market of 13-15 gigawatts (GW) in this year alone, which would make the country the second largest solar region in the world after China. With an annual demand of 6-7 GW, Europe remains an important solar region. Visitors will discover how political conditions influence market development in Germany, France, Great Britain and Turkey and how the market reacts in the session on Global PV Markets: Europe - Leading the Future Transformation? on June 21 at 11:45am.

From leasing to crowdfunding: Introducing new financing models
In light of the decline of the feed-in tariff, the solar industry has increasingly aimed to develop new business and financing models in recent years. Rental and leasing models for PV installations represent one possible solution. It is no longer necessary to own your own solar power installation to obtain green power and remain independent of the price of electricity - installations can simply be rented. The advantage: the homeowner does not need to make an investment or deal with installation, insurance or maintenance. Solutions which work well for private owners can easily be adapted to suit companies. The session titled Europes Todays and Tomorrows PV Financing Landscape at 9:00am on the second day of the conference informs visitors of other possible financing models. The Role of Financial Institutions and the Participation of the Crowds for PV Development presentation on June 22 at 2:00pm discusses the advantages and disadvantages of innovative financing forms such as crowdfunding, in comparison to established citizen participation schemes.

How intelligent power grids provide for the cities of tomorrow
Smart renewable energy is a key topic at Intersolar Europe, and will also be discussed in numerous sessions at the conference. The decentralized generation and infeed of energy from renewable sources has becoming increasingly important over the course of the energy transition. Because renewable energy sources such as sun and wind are not always available, the intelligent coordination of energy supply and demand using digitally connected solutions is essential. The smart grid, the intelligent power grid of the future, steers and oversees the generation, storage, distribution and consumption of electricity. In the session Smart Renewable Energy: Smart Districts/ Smart Cities on the second day of the conference at 11:00am, experts will be exploring the intelligent power supply of cities and districts of the future. The presentation Smart Renewable Energy: The Digitalization of Energy on June 22 at 2:00pm will discuss the implications that the Internet of Things and the most up-to-date information technology have for the power supply and how new business models can emerge from this.

For a limited time only: 25% discount on the regular ticket price
Visitors who purchase their ticket for the Intersolar Europe Conference between March 15 and April 15 will receive a 25% discount on the regular price. This special promotion celebrates the 25th anniversary of Intersolar Europe. During this period, a two-day pass costs 668 euros instead of 890 euros and a day pass costs 443 euros, reduced from 590 euros. Two-day passes and day passes are valid for entry to both the Intersolar Europe Conference and the ees Europe Conference. The ees Europe Conference accompanies ees Europe, Europes largest exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems, which takes place in conjunction with Intersolar Europe. Both tickets also include a three-day exhibition pass.

Intersolar Europe 2016 takes place from June 22-24, 2016 at Messe München.

Further information on Intersolar Europe can be found at www.intersolar.de/en

Partners of Intersolar Europe
Intersolar Europe is supported by the leading solar industry associations: the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) as an exclusive partner, the German Solar Energy Society (DGS), SolarPower Europe (formerly EPIA), the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), SEMI (Europe), and the platform for photovoltaic production equipment within the German Engineering Association (VDMA-PV).

About Intersolar
With events spanning four continents, Intersolar is the worlds leading exhibition series for the solar industry and its partners. It unites people and companies from around the world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in our energy supply.

Intersolar Europe is the worlds leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners. It takes place annually at the Messe München exhibition center in Munich, Germany and focuses on the areas of photovoltaics, energy storage and renewable heating, as well as on products and solutions for smart renewable energy. The accompanying Intersolar Europe Conference consolidates selected exhibition topics and showcases international markets, financing and pioneering technologies. Since being founded, Intersolar Europe has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners in the global solar industry.

With 25 years of experience, Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together members of the solar industry from across the worlds most influential markets. Intersolar exhibitions and conferences are held in Munich, San Francisco, Mumbai, São Paulo and Dubai. These global events are complemented by the Intersolar Summits, which take place in emerging and growing solar markets worldwide.

In 2016, ees Europe, Europe's Largest Exhibition for Batteries and Energy Storage Systems, takes place in parallel to Intersolar Europe for the third time. Together with the accompanying ees Europe Conference, the exhibition covers the entire value chain of innovative battery and energy storage technologies.

For more information on Intersolar Europe, please visit: www.intersolar.de/en

Intersolar Europe is organized by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM).