Birmingham has been announced as the host city for the annual Solar Power UK Conference and Exhibition in October 2011, which is organised by Solar Media Ltd. Over 3,000 solar industry participants, 30% of which will be overseas visitors, are due to descend on the city during the conference following sell-out events in Munich and London in 2010.
Solar Power UK is an event series dedicated to helping establish the burgeoning solar market in the UK. The event will consist of multiple conferences, an industry exhibition, product galleries and dedicated workshops. Due to very popular demand, the exhibition segment of Solar Power UK will be increased extensively for 2011. The event benefits from the institutional support of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), the Renewable Energy Association (REA), the Micro Power Council, BRE Trust, Birmingham City and Solar Power Group, the voice of PV in the UK.
The decision to move the event to Birmingham comes from the city’s increasing recognition as a hub for the developing UK solar industry, withjuwi Renewable Energies establishing its first UK offices in the city as just one of the most recent progressions. The move will create an initial 60 jobs for the region.
Business Birmingham, the city’s official inward investment programme, will be partnering with Birmingham City Council to host a week long schedule of sustainable events, topped off with the pioneering Solar UK Conference and Exhibition. As the only official exhibition of the Solar Power Group – the number one trade body in the UK – the Solar UK Conference and Exhibition will feature a series of conference programmes. Solar Power Portal.co.uk and Photovoltaics International work as content providers and main media partners for the event series.
Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council said, “Birmingham is making a name for itself as a developing centre for green and sustainable technologies. The Council has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2026 and developments in our solar power credentials are key in hitting these targets.
Hosting the Solar UK Conference and Exhibition2011 will complement the city’s dedicated work in the renewable energy sector over the past few years. The city’s 2020 carbon neutrality objective is a strong message of commitment to the sector now and in the future.”
“I am delighted that Birmingham City, through Business Birmingham, has chosen to be the host sponsor for Solar Power UK 2011. Birmingham is the ideal location for our event with excellent transport links and facilities for domestic as well as international visitors to the fair. Through this co-operation Birmingham is showing that local government has a key role to play in the transition to a low carbon future,” said David Owen, CEO Solar Media Ltd.
You can access the full post event report for the 2010 event here. Those interested in exhibiting or sponsoring should get in touch here.