Press release 2009

ENERSOLAR+: SOLAR ENERGY, BRIGHT OUTLOOKS
Press release no. 161/09
(14/10/2009)

More than 300 exhibitors, 47 conference sessions and 25,000 visitors expected: these are the figures of this important Milanese event dedicated to solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy

Milan finally has an important event dedicated to solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. Organized by Artenergy Publishing and Fiera Milano Tech, EnerSolar+ will, in fact, be the reference event for this sector, in this part of the year, for the Italian and Mediterranean area markets, and will be a not to miss opportunity to see for oneself the situation of this market which, even during this period of global economic crisis, is able to create business, development and occupation. And what better location, than the Italian economic capital?
"The crucial energy sector (and in particular that of renewable energy), has, until now, been represented in our fair calendar only as part of other events," says the managing director of Fiera Milano, Enrico Pazzali, "but we were lacking a systematic presence. With EnerSolar+ we are solving this anomaly and a re further expanding the interests of Fiera Milano, already very well positioned in the field of plants and construction. Above all, EnerSolar+ is aimed at a strategic sector that has great growth potential, considering that energy is the challenge of the future and the use of traditional fuel sources must deal with the safeguarding of the environment and climatic equilibria. But this is not all. EnerSolar+ becomes a perfect part of the strengthening of technical shows, which give a determined contribution to the authoritativeness and to the prestige of Fiera Milano as a leading fair centre for economic operators. For these reasons EnerSolar+ is extremely important for us."

But let’s take a look at some facts and figures.
According to data from the GSE (Electrical Service Management), updated as of 1 October, at national level, the total number of plants up and running that have taken advantage of the incentives foreseen by the Energy Account was 51,098 for 636.8 MW. As of 13 October, however, the update showed that there were 52,143 plants up and running for 651.86 MW.
Significant figures considering that, in just over 10 days, the number of plants functioning increased by 1,045 with 13 MW power. All these figures give us the idea of optimistic forecasts also considering that the GSE estimates that in Italy, at the end of this year, there will be about 70,000 plants functioning for 900 MW power. Moreover, according to analysts, if this trend continues, our country will be the first important market for photovoltaics to reach, in just a few years, grid parity - the condition in which the cost per photovoltaic kWh coincides with that of one kWh produced using conventional fuel sources.

With a turnover that, according to data from Estif (European Solar Thermal Industry Federation), in 2008 was more than EUR 3 billion at European level, solar thermal power can be considered as one of the sectors with strong stimulus for the economy, also considering that the sector has more than 40,000 full-time workers.
Always according to data from Estif, the European market (Switzerland included), for collectors for heating and air conditioning, saw, in 2008, 60% growth, equal to 3.3 GWt of new capacity installed on 4.76 million sq.m. of area.
While the request for solar panels has seen an important increase in Spain, Italy and France, the most important growth was registered in Germany (123%), more than double compared to 2007 with new installed capacity of from 0,7 GWt to 1,5 GWt (2.1 million sq.m.).
In our country, the photovoltaic sector has, without doubt, important possibilities of development since growth in 2008 was "only" 28% with 295 MWt of new capacity installed (421 thousand sq.m.).
The potentials of this sector are considerable and have significant advantages. Just think that the installation of a thermal solar plant enables to reduce the quantity of methane gas used to heat water by 80%, with the consequent abatement of CO2 emissions.

To find out about all the possibilities of solar photovoltaic and thermal solar power, EnerSolar+ is a not to miss appointment. The show will take place from 25 to 28 November at fieramilano, Rho, and will have on show the most authoritative international companies with regards to technologies, solutions and services for both civil and industrial applications but, above all, to create new and promising markets.

Press Office Stampa, Rosella Sola, Davide Grassi, Tel. 02.66306866 - Fax 02.66305510 - e-mail press@zeroemission.eu