SEIA - Solar Events at COP16

U.S. and Global Solar Industry Present Accelerated Solar Solution at U.N. Climate Talks
Global solar industry shows capacity to create more jobs, produce clean energy and fight climate change worldwide

WASHINGTON, DC – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®), along with more than 40 leading solar industry organizations from around the world, highlight solar energy's potential for job growth, increased clean energy capacity and pollution reduction with a new report and at a series of events at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) in Cancun, Mexico on Monday, December 6, 2010.

The group produced a report showing that by 2020, combined world solar deployment could reach a level that reduces carbon pollution by 570 megatonnes, an amount equivalent to taking 110 million cars off the road or shutting down 100 large coal plants*.

Together the U.S. and European Union alone are projected to create more than 1.8 million solar jobs and to reach 700 gigawatts of solar electric capacity and 280 gigawatts-thermal of solar thermal capacity by 2020. The United States is projected to create nearly 700,000 jobs and reduce 117 megatonnes of carbon emissions by 2020.

In addition to SEIA's official events below, the association presents an exhibit booth at Cancun Messe from Monday, Dec. 6 – Friday, Dec. 10, and displays an installation of solar photovoltaic powered 'dancing' flower sculptures at the Moon Palace Hotel where delegates are meeting. The solar flowers are part of a global petition effort to encourage world leaders to enact policies that accelerate solar deployment. Solar flowers will be delivered to political leaders around the world following the event and donations will be used to fund solar projects in developing countries.

Also, a new solar energy system now powers the Moon Palace Hotel in Cancun, Mexico, owned by Palace Resorts and host site for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The 130-kilowatt project was led by Enel Green Power, with support from the Italian Ministry of the Environment and SEMARNAT, the Mexican Environment Ministry. The thin-film, lightweight solar photovoltaic panels were produced by SEIA member United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENER).

SEIA NEWS CONFERENCE
Official UNFCCC News Conference

WHAT:	News conference describing the U.S.'s potential to become the world's largest solar market within five years and related job creation. With anticipated growth of 10,000 megawatts annually, the industry can displace 10 coal plants per year and power 2 million households. Smart policies such as the U.S. Treasury Grant program have already helped grow solar by 40 percent annually over the last decade. Currently, solar employs 93,000 Americans in all 50 states. With the right policies in place, solar energy can support 440,000 jobs in five years.
WHO:	Rhone Resch, President & CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association Martha Duggan, Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs, ECD/United Solar John Stanton, Vice President, Government Affairs, SolarCity
WHEN:	Monday, December 6, 2010, 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (CST)
WHERE:	Press Conference Room 2, Moon Palace

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SOLAR POWERING THE PLANET: FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CREATING JOBS TODAY
Official UNFCC Side Event

WHAT:	Event highlighting a comprehensive report by solar industry organizations from around the world, showing the industry's ability to create jobs, deliver clean energy and combat climate change.
WHO:	Rhone Resch, President & CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association (U.S.A.) Ingmar Wilhelm, President, European Photovoltaic Industry Association Simon Rolland, Policy and Development Manager, Alliance for Rural Electrification
WHEN:	Monday, December 6, 2010, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CST)
WHERE:	Room 4 (Room Aguila), Cancún Messe

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SOLAR RECEPTION
Official event at the U.S. Center

WHAT:	Solar industry leaders from around the world host a reception to highlight the solar industry's role as a solution technology in combating climate change.
WHO:	Rhone Resch, President & CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association (U.S.A.) Ingmar Wilhelm, President, European Photovoltaic Industry Association
WHEN:	Monday, December 6, 2010, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (CST)
WHERE:	U.S. Center, Cancún Messe

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Background Materials
SEIA® policy overview of Treasury Grant Program: Policy
SEIA® and GTM Research U.S. Solar Market InsightTM
www.SolarCOP16.org
Electronic copy of the "Seizing the Solar Solution" report: http://www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/SEIA-COP16_LR.pdf

Photo of solar on Moon Palace Hotel, site of the U.N. delegate climate talks:
http://www.seia.org/galleries/default-image/MoonPalace_Uni-solar_array.jpg



SEIA - Report: Accelerated Deployment of Solar Can Combat Climate Change

Global Solar Industry Releases Report Demonstrating Accelerated Deployment of Solar
Can Combat Climate Change and Foster Economic Growth Now

BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON – The global solar industry, as part of the industry's efforts at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16) in Cancun, today released its 2010 edition of "Seizing the Solar Solution: Combating Climate Change through accelerated deployment." Highlights of the report will be presented at an official side-event, Monday, Dec. 6, 15:00 to 16:30 at the Cancun Messe.

This solar coalition, comprised of more than 40 leading international solar and renewable energy organizations, is demonstrating the immediate potential of the accelerated deployment of solar energy in reducing harmful pollution, combating climate change and creating jobs and economic impact. The group is urging political and business leaders to take action now to accelerate solar deployment.

The report shows that combined world targets for solar electric capacity will reach 700 gigawatts and solar thermal capacity will reach 280 gigawatts (GWth, thermal equivalent) by 2020. This level would reduce carbon pollution by 570 megatons, equivalent to shutting down more than 100 coal plants.

"Today, the sun offers us a unique way of generating electricity on a global scale, making it possible to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with the added benefit of being socially responsible, generating jobs and supporting sustainable development locally," said Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). "Government representatives in Cancun should advocate for a clear shift away from conventional fuels to solar energy. This will allow developing nations to leapfrog past conventional energy dependency to a clean and unlimited source that can also easily reach under‐served populations in rural areas."

"Deploying solar energy presents a concrete measure for our nations' leaders to reduce harmful pollution now," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the US‐based Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). "With the right policies, our government leaders can accelerate the adoption of solar reducing CO2 emissions equivalent to taking 110 million cars off the road."

The report also identifies key policies the global solar industry supports in combating climate change. They include:

• Establishing a price on carbon to ensure a level playing and field and factor externalities into the costs of fossil fuels;
• Setting internationally agreed mid-term and long-term emission reduction targets for all developed countries;
• Ending the massive subsidies given to fossil fuel industries;
• Ensuring that renewable energy targets set by developing countries qualify as Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs); and
• Developing an international financing framework to encourage technology transfer and investment in solar projects worldwide.

The full report is available at http://www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/SEIA-COP16_LR.pdf.

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Solar Petition
In preparation for the UN summit, an online petition has been launched and hundreds of people from across the planet have already signed it. After COP16, the Solar Petition will be sent to key political leaders in charge of making the decisions that will affect the future well‐being of our world and the people who live in it. Together with the petition and the list of supporters, they will receive a Solar Dancing Flower to remind them of the power of the Sun. All the funds generated from the production of these solar flowers will be donated to Solar Solidarity, an NGO active in the promotion of projects for the developing world using renewable technology, solar in particular.

More information:
www.solarcop16.org
http://www.solarcop16.org/take-action
www.epia.org
www.SEIA.org



SEIA - Statement on FERC’s Proposed Rulemaking to Accelerate Integration of Renewable Energy Resources Into the Nation’s Power Grid

WASHINGTON, DC – Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) President and CEO Rhone Resch released the following statement commending FERC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to remove barriers to integration of renewables into the nation’s power grid:  

“SEIA commends the FERC for its landmark decision today to propose rules concerning the integration of renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power into the electric grid. The establishment of a cost-effective and equitable means of integrating these renewable resources into the grid is an absolutely essential prerequisite to the transition to a clean energy economy. SEIA is very pleased that FERC has taken action today on this critical matter and looks forward to filing comments based on a thorough review of the proposed rule.”

Background Materials

SEIA Transmission Resources Page: http://www.seia.org/cs/transmission

SEIA Comments on FERC’s previous Notice of Inquiry on this subject: http://www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/2010.04.12_-_SEIA_Submitted_Comments_on_FERC_NOI.pdf

FERC Release: http://www.ferc.gov/media/news-releases/2010/2010-4/11-18-10-E-1.asp

 



SEIA - Solar Generation USA Road Trip Shows Solar Working for America Today

WASHINGTON - The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) today unveiled a new campaign to educate the public on the benefits of clean solar energy and to demonstrate how the technology is working reliably across the nation and saving clients money on their utility bills. The online and broadcast segments also show that the growing solar industry is putting America back to work, creating domestic jobs for installers, electricians, plumbers, manufacturers, construction workers and support professionals.

The nonprofit trade association hired Alan Blake, award-winning director and owner of Blake + Company, to travel cross-country, from Cape Cod, Mass. to Los Angeles, visiting the people that use solar power or work in the industry. The campaign includes a three-part online webisode series documenting the three-week trip, a culminating 4-minute film and a public service announcement.

Webisode No. 1 focuses on the Northeast capturing smaller residential and commercial applications, from a boat marina, fire station and horse farm, to a New York City rooftop and the Crayola Crayon manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania. The second webisode captures installations in the Midwest including a zoo (with 'solar bears'), a gas station converted to a solar charging station for electric vehicles, a Governor's mansion and a solar manufacturing site in Ohio. The third and last webisode segment in the West covers larger scale solar including Denver International Airport, a Garbett Homes community with solar thermal and solar electric as standard features, Colorado State University, the San Francisco Giant's ballpark and a Napa vineyard.

"Solar energy is working for America, creating good jobs and investment in all 50 states. Whether it is an installer, or a solar manufacturing line worker, or a family or business that has experienced the benefits of solar, the Solar Generation USA road trip captures just how far solar energy has come in the United States," said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. "The excitement surrounding solar is evident in each of these webisodes, but we are just getting started. Solar energy is already the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. and by 2015, we will be installing enough new solar capacity to power two million homes each and every year. This is truly the Solar Generation."

"The SEIA Solar Generation team has just completed a compelling, educational - and FUN - series of webisodes. Their cross country trek beautifully documents and clearly illustrates that solar works for America, while putting Americans to work," said Susan DeVico, Chair of SEIA's Public Relations Committee. "Solar is here NOW, and it's flourishing throughout the U.S. It's generating clean, emissions-free electricity at a vast variety of venues, enabling individuals and organizations (homeowners, hospitals, schools, retailers, farms, factories, government agencies, airports, utilities) to meet their energy needs in a clean, cost-effective and environmentally responsible way."

"This has been a wonderful opportunity to call attention to the fact that solar power has grown to be a vital part of this country's energy infrastructure and a realistic option for every American household, business and municipality," said Alan Blake, the film's producer. "The people we met on our road trip, those who work in the solar industry and their clients and customers, were an inspiration to us and, we think, a great illustration of today's solar generation." 

The Solar Generation USA Road Trip webisode series can be viewed at www.SolarGenerationUSA.org where the public can also learn more about the different types of solar technology, how to go solar for home or business and how to find a job in the solar industry. The film will be released in November and the PSA completed by yearend.



SEIA - Solar Energy Industries Association Teleconference on Extending Treasury Grant Program during Congressional Lame Duck Session

Program driving U.S. solar industry growth and job creation expires at year's end

WASHINGTON, DC – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) will host a press teleconference with industry leaders to discuss the need to extend the Treasury Grant Program (TGP) during the Congressional lame duck session. With the help of the TGP, the U.S. solar energy industry now supports an estimated 93,000 jobs, with over 50 percent of solar businesses expected to add jobs in the next twelve months, making the TGP's extension the top priority for the U.S. solar industry.

WHAT:	Press teleconference to discuss the importance of extending the TGP for continuing U.S. solar industry growth and job creation
WHO:	Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association Ed Fenster, co-founder and CEO of SunRun Mark Conroy, president and CEO of MegaWatt Solar Eric Hafter, senior vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group
WHEN:	Tuesday, November 16, 2010 – 12:30 p.m. (ET)/9:30 a.m. (PT)
WHERE:	Contact nhinsider@myway.com for more info on access

Background Materials
SEIA policy overview of Treasury Grant Program
The Solar Foundation 2010 National Solar Jobs Census
SEIA and GTM Research US Solar Market Insight^TM