Solar Power attracts key CEOs for industry panel

Leaders of the solar industry will meet on Wednesday, October 15th at the Solar Power Conference 2008 in San Diego. Solar Power is recognised as the biggest conference and exhibition for the solar industry in the USA. As one of the fastest-growing end user marketplaces in the world, it is no surprise that SEPA and SEIA, the organisers of the event, have been able to attract an all-star line-up of speakers.

Reflecting the urgency of increasing renewable energy in the nation's discourse on energy, this year's CEO Panel brings together industry leaders for two separate but related discussions - one on market development and another on reducing technology costs. Confirmed panelists include:

Panel 1 - Market Development
Lyndon Rive, SolarCity
Jim Rogers, Duke Energy
Mike Ahearn, First Solar
Santiago Seage, Abengoa

Panel 2 - Driving Down Costs
Martin Heming, SCHOTT Solar
Erik Thorsen, REC
Jeannine Sargent, Oerlikon
Anton Milner, Q-Cells

“We look forward to hearing this year's CEO Panelists recount lessons learned in the past year, both from here in the U.S. and abroad,” said Rhone Resch, President of SEIA. “Their stories underscore the solar industry's pivotal role in the future of the energy industry, and that the right Federal legislation will guarantee that the future of energy takes root right here in America.”

"Bringing down the costs for photovoltaics is essential for the future of our industry. If we manage that, we can make photovoltaics mankind´s main energy source - and that is what we have to do," commented Anton Milner, CEO of Q-Cells. "The Solar Power 2008 CEO Panel is a very good platform for industry leaders to reach a common understanding of the necessities related to this overwhelming target." You can see more of Anton in our exclusive interview here <insert link>.

In addition to the CEO Panel, Solar Power 2008 will feature opening and closing keynote sessions, more than 60 breakout conference sessions, 400 exhibitors and countless industry networking opportunities. Solar Power 2008 will encompass the complete range of solar energy technologies, including photovoltaics, concentrating photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, solar hot water, and space heating and cooling.

By David Owen