Solar CEOs to interact with representatives of banks, insurance companies, investment funds to explore challenges, opportunities facing photovoltaic industry

Brussels, 20 September 2012 – Investor enthusiasm for renewable energies reached an all-time high in 2011, even during an economic crisis. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the global investment in solar technology rose by 36% to $136.6 billion. But recent signs that some governments are wavering in their support for renewable energy have raised questions about whether such a level of interest can be maintained. CEO-level speakers from the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry will join representatives from the financial community at the second annual Investors Day to explore the challenges and opportunities facing solar PV technology. The stakes have never been higher, and the talk is sure to be provocative.

Even as the solar industry weathers this period of economic uncertainty and consolidation, markets for PV around the world have continued to grow. Investors looking beyond the new short-term challenges seek answers as they consider the PV industry’s medium- and long-term growth prospects.

This year’s Investors Day forum, entitled “Risk mitigation in PV investments: The key to sustainable market development?” will address such questions as:

• How will investors respond to the current PV industry and market evolutions?
• How can the availability of affordable capital be ensured?
• What investments need to be made in manufacturing?
• How can the industry improve the perception of future PV development and continue to put innovative products on the market?
• What will be the future of project financing in the post Feed-in Tariff era?

Confirmed speakers at the day-long event include: Christian Scharrer (Head of Green Technology Solutions, Munich RE); Sean McLoughlin (VP Clean Technology Research, HSBC) Pierre-Etienne Claveranne (Associate, Green Giraffe Energy Bankers); Murray Cameron (COO, Phoenix Solar), Eric Peeters (Vice President Clean Technology, Dow Corning); Fabrizio Bonemazzi (Representative, Solar European Industry Initiative); Jochen Schönfelder (Partner, Roland Berger); Helge Hardacker (Managing Partner, Quantum Board GmbH); Wilfried De Goeij (Manager, Green Loans).

To see the full programme, click here.

The Investors Day will be held on 26 September in Frankfurt, Germany. It is an official parallel event of the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (27th EU PVSEC), and is jointly organised by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and EU PVSEC.

Investors Day

Date: Wednesday 26 September 2012

Time: 09.30-18.00

Location: EPIA Industry Area, Hall 3.1 Booth H13, Messe Frankfurt, Germany

For more information about the 27th EU PVSEC, click here.

Note to editors

EPIA – the European Photovoltaic Industry Association – represents members active along the whole solar PV value chain. EPIA’s mission is to give its global membership a distinct and effective voice in the European market, especially in the EU.

For more information:

Craig Winneker

EPIA, Head of Political Communications

Tel: +32.479.91.63.07

Email: c.winneker@epia.org