Press Release: Solar Canada 2011 returns to the Toronto Convention Centre to shine a light on one of the country’s hottest industries

OTTAWA Nov. 7, 2011 – CanSIA expects some 5,000 attendees at Solar Canada 2011 being held Dec. 5-6 once again at the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre.

“SkyPower is pleased to be returning for a fourth year as Diamond Sponsor of CanSIA’s Solar Canada Conference and Exposition,” said Kerry Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower Limited. “Our solar industry has experienced phenomenal growth sparked by the inception of Ontario’s landmark Green Energy Act and FIT Program. We in Ontario are now leading the world in attracting renewable energy investment and in creating greatly needed clean energy jobs. We look forward to working closely with the Ontario Government, CanSIA and the industry at large during this important period of the FIT program review to ensure the program’s long term success for a brighter future for all Ontarians.”

“CanSIA is once again pleased to host the largest solar energy conference in Canada at the Toronto Convention Centre. This year’s Solar Showcase is filled to capacity. The enthusiasm of all the participants is a testament to the opportunities offered through solar, both as a business and as a key to supporting Canada’s commitment to climate change,” said Jon Kieran, CanSIA Chair of the Board of Directors.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Karen Farbridge, Mayor of Guelph, speaking about Cities and Solar (Dec. 6 | 9 a.m.)
  • Opening Plenary - Global outlook, local impacts: PV industry leaders panel

Chair: Doug Payne, Co-Founder and Executive Director, SolarTech

Panelists: Kerry Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer, SkyPower Limited; Larry Holmberg, CEO & Director, Solar Semiconductor; Milfred Hammerbacher, President, Canadian Solar; Jason Gray, Country Manager Canada, SunEdison; and, Marc van Gerven, CEO, Q-Cells North America; Franco Traverso, CEO, Silfab Ontario. (Dec. 5| 9:30 a.m.)

  • Plenary 2 - A Post-Election Strategy: Next Steps for Solar in Ontario and Impacts for the Rest of Canada

Chair: Chris Benedetti, Principal, Sussex Strategy Group

Panelists: Jared Donald, President, Canada, Conergy; Jan Dressel, Managing Director, Sovello Canada; Jason Chee-Aloy, Managing Director, Power Advisory; David Herle, Principal Partner, The Gandalf Group; and, Andrew Kinross, Director, Energy, Navigant Consulting (Dec. 5 | 2:15 p.m.)

  • Plenary 3: Opportunities for Canada’s solar industry beyond Ontario: where’s the money?

Chair: Linda Bertoldi, Senior Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais

Panelists: Don Roberts, Vice-Chair, Clean Technology & Renewables, CIBC World Markets; Mark Porter, Senior Associate, Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance; David Dunnison, Entrepreneur in Residence, Yaletown Venture Partners; and, Tom Kimbis, Vice President, Strategy & External Affairs; General Counsel, SEIA; Devin Causley, Manager, Climate Change Programs, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Adam Stratton, VP Business Development , Power Panel Inc. (Dec. 6 | 9:30 a.m.)

  • Plenary 4: Big energy betting on renewables – How does solar fit into a diversified energy strategy?

Chair: Jon Kieran, Director of Solar Development, EDF EN Canada Inc.

Panelists: John Maniawski, Senior Director, Power Generation Business Development, Enbridge; Andrew Kuske, Managing Director, Head of Equity Research, Canada Credit Suisse Securities (Canada); and, Elliott Gasner, General Manager, pvXchange; Kunal Phalpher, Consultant , EuPD Research; Reyad Fezzani, Chairman, Energy Finance Company. (Dec. 6 | 2 p.m.)

CanSIA Solar Showcase –more than 400 spaces SOLD OUT early as the industry vied to exhibit the latest in solar offerings. This year, for the first time in Canada, delegates can view the Schneider Electric PV Box – a solar power conversion substation that is a complete solution designed to meet the growing demands of large scale grid-tied solar farms.

For a complete listing of conference activities:  Agenda

Media are welcome to attend and encouraged to register in order to arrange interviews with key participants and attendees.

See all Sponsors.

The Canadian Solar Industries Association is a national trade association that represents approximately 650 solar energy companies throughout Canada. Since 1992, CanSIA has worked to develop a strong, efficient, ethical and professional Canadian solar energy industry with capacity to provide innovative solar energy solutions and to play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable, clean-energy future.

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Contact:

Sylvie Powell, MédiaLane Communications Inc.

(613) 290-1497