Apr 29 2009
In partnership with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, SolarTech, an initiative of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the California Solar Energy Industries Association announce the participation of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as an honorary guest speaker at their inaugural Summit to be held May 7, 2009, hosted by eBay in San Jose, California, home to the city's largest commercial solar installation.
"We are deeply honored to have the Governor join our inaugural summit," says Tom McCalmont, Co-founder and Chair of SolarTech, CEO Real Goods Solar. "Mr. Schwarzenegger inspired the creation of the California Solar Initiative in 2004, laying the groundwork for California becoming what is today the third largest solar market in the world."
At the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger, the California Solar Initiative created a $3.3 billion ten-year program in 2006 to put solar on a million roofs in the state, spearheading what has proven to be a highly successful state renewable energy incentives and rebates program.
"The solar industry finds itself with an opportunity for widespread adoption of solar power, that will at the same time facilitate the economic recovery of the Bay Area and the state," said Carl Guardino, President and CEO of the Leadership Group. "The governor's vision for the future of the solar industry in California is an example of the inspiration, vision and leadership that are needed as we move through these critical times."
The Governor will acknowledge public-private partnerships by consortiums such as SolarTech and CALSEIA in the global context of the solar economy in California, and the impact private, public, partnerships can have on the state's economic development.
Other speakers include:
- The Honorable Mayor Chuck Reed, City of San Jose
- Lyndon Rive, CEO, Solar City
- Steve Rhoades, CEO, SatCon
- Ole Pilgaard, CEO, Heliodyne
- Brian Halla, CEO, National Semiconductor
- Jeff Wolfe, CEO, GroSolar
"Our industry finds itself at the convergence of opportunity, policy, climate change and government vision," said Doug Payne, Interim Executive Director for SolarTech. "It is imperative for all of us, collectively, to seamlessly execute the delivery of solar energy solutions to the mass market over the next three to five years. This inaugural SolarTech / CalSEIA joint Summit unveils our work on a world stage helping to shape and enable our industry's success. For the Governor to acknowledge our work is truly an honor and a privilege."
"These are very exciting times for the solar industry in California," said Gary Gerber, President of Sun Light and Power and President of the CALSEIA Board of Directors. "Governor Schwarzenegger has been such a visionary for our industry we are deeply grateful for his leadership past, present, and future."
"Having installed the city's largest private solar installation, eBay is proud to host a conversation among key solar industry thought leaders with significant potential to expand the use of this promising technology," said John Donahoe, CEO of eBay Inc. "All businesses today stand to benefit from smart energy policy, and we applaud SolarTech for convening this forum."
For more information on this event, event sponsorship, and to register, please visit: http://www.calsolarsummit.org