Continuing with my fascination with clean energy alternatives, the 3rd annual Solar Power 2006 Conference and Expo in San Jose, CA was held last week. The shift in the national attention being given to clean energy alternatives has given this Expo a boost; they're expecting about 5,000 attendees. That's triple what they had last year.
"This conference will be the largest solar event in U.S. history," said Julia Judd, conference chair and Executive Director of Solar electric Power Association (SEPA). "Solar Power 2006 will be a launching pad for innovation and formation of new business partnerships."
Innovation is the theme of this year's event because it is believed to be a key concept in the future because of a current silicon supply shortage; they expect about 165 companies to attend.
"Solar will become the next great high-tech growth industry in the U.S.," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association.
California is just behind Japan and Germany as the largest solar market in the world, and the market for solar goods in expected to grow by 78 percent in the next 9 years. Last year it was worth $11.2 billion, and by 2015, it is expected to be worth $51.1 billion.
New companies are popping up and getting funding all the time because of the great market. Companies such as Practical Instruments just got their first round of funding worth $8 million. Practical Instruments makes a device called a heliotube that lets solar panels follow the sun so that panels can create more electricity and be more efficient.
"In solar these days, everyone is getting money," said blogger Michael Kanelios.
It's great to hear the momentum being generated by these alternatives. What is even more exciting is that everyone seems to be getting into the game and taking responsibility; Google's going solar too by making its headquarters this country's largest solar electric installation on a single corporate site. Way to go guys!
