Established names in the solar industry such as Solar Edge, Wind & Sun and NEC are among those to have already rebooked for Solar & Storage Live 2018.

This year's show may have only drawn to a close less than two weeks ago however preparations are already in place for next year's exhibition. Solar Media can reveal that rebooks are already up by around 60% year-on-year, with a raft of major companies in the PV sector already booked to take their place at Birmingham's NEC next year. As well as Solar Edge, Wind & Sun, NEC, the likes of Waxman Energy, Growatt and East Group have already confirmed their attendance.

Battery storage firm Narada Power is also among those to rebook early for 2018, increasing its stand size on the back of what UK sales manager Rob Marshall described as a fantastic show this year.

“We did the show last year and were amazed at the numbers we got. We came again this year expecting to be happy with half those numbers. We got more on the first day alone. I've never been to a show and had so many leads on the first day. We're over the moon. I've been doing shows for 30 years and I've never been so busy as I have been at this show, this year and last,” Marshall said.

Marshall's sentiments were echoed by other firms in the PV supply chain, including first-time exhibitors Solar Panel Cleaning Limited.

Hayley Gjerstad, managing director at Solar Panel Cleaning, said: “The show gave us a platform to meet with a wide variety of leaders within the solar industry and the private networking opportunities were very positive. As first time exhibitors, in an uncertain solar industry, we were impressed with our booth traffic and activity. The show was very well organised and the team were very conscientious in ensuring everybody had a successful three days.”

Also impressed was high-voltage power firm Omexom, another first-time exhibitor which came away from the show impressed with the business opportunities it had managed to build.

“The exhibition provided us with an excellent opportunity to network with industry experts and engage with potential clients. Ultimately, it provided us with a platform to promote the Omexom brand within industry, and showcase some of the prestigious projects we have recently completed,” Simon Innis, managing director at Omexom, said.

Over the course of three days, Solar & Storage Live 2017 recorded more than 4,000 visits from around 2,500 unique visitors, with 2,000 people in the exhibition hall at its peak on the second day of the event.

Solar & Storage Live will once again return to Birmingham's NEC next autumn. If you are interested in exhibiting at next year's show – and companies are encouraged to book early to secure their space on the show floor – then please contact either Tom Moon or Marcela Ahmeti  for further details.