Print this pageSeptember 27, 2007
Long Beach, Cali. -- The 2007 Solar Power Conference was held September 24th through September 27th in Long Beach, California.
The event took place at the Long Beach Convention Center and included 210 exhibitors and 125 speakers. During the conference, more than 10,000 business representatives gathered to discuss the future of renewable energy.
The event has grown by a more than a factor of 10 since its inception in 2004, paralleling the rapid expansion and diversification of the solar power industry itself. This year's conference program was designed to address the cross-over appeal of solar energy; not only for solar enterprises working together, but to facilitate opportunities for the business community at large.
Solar Power 2007 featured keynote speeches by renowned leaders in the corporate world; including Ted Turner, venture capitalist Ray Lane, actor and environmentalist Larry Hagman, and Wal-Mart President Charles Zimmerman. A CEO panel featured leaders in the solar industry discussing key issues facing the market.
The opening day of the conference began with Ted Turner speaking about renewable energy; solar power in particular. He referred to climate change as the biggest economic opportunity ever in the history of the world.
CEO experts in the solar industry expect the demand for solar power to be between 3 to 5 gigawatts for 2008, increasing by 30 to 35 percent annually during the next five years.
The biggest obstacle the industry is facing is the shortage of silicon, which is expected to be solved within three years, with increased capacity. Experts are hopeful that within a number of years, solar power will be able to stand on its own without government incentives.
Developers are working on projects to bring more solar power to the electricity grid through Power Purchase Agreements with utility companies.
Speakers suggested that the cost of carbon must be included in the cost of energy; therefore, making solar power a more attractive source of energy.
Tom Foegen, the Chief Operating Officer for Byrne & Company Limited, attended the conference. Byrne & Company is expanding business development services to include solar power.
"It is clear that solar power is an excellent source of renewable, clean energy and it is positioned to be a leading source of energy for the future," said Foegen.
Byrne & Company Limited's focus is renewable energy and is committed to working with the solar power industry in its efforts to power the world with clean energy.
For more information on the Solar Power 2007 Conference, visit www.solarpowerconference.com.
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