Intersolar 2006 - Solar Experts from 80 Countries at Europe's Leading Trade Fair for Solar Technology.

FREIBURG, Germany -- More than 23,000 trade visitors and decision-makers from the solar industry attended this year's Intersolar 2006, Europe's leading trade fair for solar technology. 454 exhibitors from 27 countries demonstrated innovations in the areas of photovoltaics, solar thermal systems and solar architecture on an exhibition area that covered some 26,000 square meters. The accompanying congress with presentations, seminars, workshops and roundtable discussions was visited by around 1,000 experts and decision-makers from all over the world. The Intersolar has thus further strengthened its position as the leading European trade fair in the solar technology sector.

Since it was first held in 1991, the Intersolar trade fair has been constantly growing. This year, the exhibition space was extended by around 50%. The number of exhibitors grew by 22% compared to 2005. Visitors came from more than 80 countries this year and were able to inform themselves about the latest developments in the solar technology sector. The Intersolar has been a firm date in the trade fair calendar of manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers and service providers for years.

The Intersolar concentrates on the three major fields of solar technology: photovoltaics (solar power generation), solar thermal systems (hot water provision, heating, process heat, solar air-conditioning) and solar architecture. With this orientation and thematic focus, the Intersolar and its accompanying congress today hold a unique position in the world.

The dynamic development of the Intersolar is an impressive reflection of the global solar market. Market analysts expect the global market for the field of solar power generation alone to grow from EUR 8 billion in 2005 to around EUR 25 billion in 2010. In this area, the market growth in previous years averaged 40% per annum. The price increases in oil and gas have also given enormous impetus to solar thermal systems. According to the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), sales of EUR 2 billion were generated in Europe alone in this sector in 2005. This year, this sector will grow by 26%.

Intersolar 2007 will be held in Freiburg, Germany from June 21-23, 2007. As a precursor to the event, the estec 2007, Europe's most important international solarthermal industry conference, will be held from 19-20 June 2007.

Further information on the Intersolar 2006 at www.intersolar.de