14.07.2008 09:00  hour San Francisco, CA

Solar Symposium

Monday, July 14, 2008 - Solar Symposium in San Francisco

PROGRAM / REGISTRATION          VENUE / HOTEL          MEDIA / SPONSORS

The German American Chamber of Commerce Inc., California Branch (GACC), held its first “Solar Symposium” at the Hotel Intercontinental in San Francisco on Monday, July 14^th, 2008. The venue for the GACC “Solar Symposium”, the first event of its kind, was filled to capacity with a high-level, international crowd. Highlights of the day were the expert panel discussion and the closing keynote speech by John Garamendi, Lieutenant Governor of California, about the future of the Californian and US energy market.

“We have got to push stop signs and speed bumps aside and get the various agencies aligned. They are all part of the puzzle to transition our energy market to renewables,” said Lieutenant Governor of California, John Garamendi, continuing on the theme of the day and noting the urgency to get a working system in place to transition the US energy market to renewables. Both California and Germany have taken a leadership role and have set examples in the solar power industry. Events such as the GACC “Solar Symposium” provide a platform to exchange ideas, enabling further progress and stronger business relationships. “Hey guys in Germany, build it, we’ll buy it. Then come over here and we will build it with you,” was one of Lt. Garamendi’s closing remarks to an excited audience, referencing Germany’s product quality and technological advances in the solar industry.

The “Solar Symposium”, which follows a row of successful solar business events organized by the GACC California Branch, focused more on the political aspects, providing new insights and stimulating thoughts in regards to the right regulatory framework for solar power. Interest in the event was high and the room was filled to capacity with about 180 attendees. The crowd of attendees was very international as many arrived in town to attend the Intersolar North America trade show which started the next day, July 15^th. The afternoon panel discussion allowed for a highly interactive conversation between the panel members, which included speakers from the political, business and non-profit side of the industry, and the audience.

The day concluded with a high level networking reception featuring cold German beer in a relaxed atmosphere.

Photos

Presentations:

"The Future of Solar Energy"
(Prof. Eicke Weber, Fraunhofer ISE)
"Experiences with the German and European Market Access Programs"
(Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, German Solar Industry Association)
"The US Prior to the 2008 Presidential Elections - Status and Perspectives of Solar Promotion on a Federal Level"
(Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Association)
"An US Company's Experience with US German Cooperation - Benefits of International Solar Partnerships"
(Gunter Ziegenbalg, Signet GmbH)
"A German Way to Enter International Solar Markets"
(Helmut Gehle, Schuco USA LP)
"US Solar Market - Policy Drivers"
(Adam Browning, The Vote Solar Initiative)