Irish solar industry to gather in Dublin
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Annual ISEA conference in Dublin 28-29 November. A stellar line up of speakers will lead two days of conference
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will formally open the Irish Solar Energy Association's annual conference with a pre-recorded video address when the event gets underway in Croke Park on November 28th.
Taoiseach Varadkar's key contribution will kick-off the two-day "˜Solar Ireland 17' conference, which is the go-to event for the Irish solar industry. It aims to connect key figures from across the Irish and international solar industries, including include policy-makers, industry stakeholders, international investors, environmentalists and researchers.
Over 250 delegates are expected to attend the event which will feature over 30 speakers, 15 exhibitors and seven panel sessions. Panel discussions and presentations will be grouped into seven key themes including Policy Setting; Market; Renewable Energy Support Scheme; Finance; Rooftop Solar; Planning & Community; Grid Connections.
Speakers will include Vanessa Miller-Fels (Microsoft); Eamon Confrey (DCENR); Joseph Curtin (IIEA) and Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Michael D'Arcy TD, will also address delegates.
CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association, Michael McCarthy said: "Solar Ireland 2017 will be a masterclass in how to succeed in solar in Ireland. It brings together top international and domestic specialists who - in conjunction with our members and delegates - will help ISEA to advance public and political debate on the role solar can play in Ireland's economic and environmental future.
"As a responsible representative industry body, ISEA wants to ensure that the deployment of utility scale, ground mounted and roof-top solar is carried out in a manner that delivers value for money to the consumer and gains broad public support. Our annual conference is one of a suite of things ISEA is busy doing this year to develop this support.
"We are encouraged by the interest from delegates and the quality of speakers this year. We are particularly heartened that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is engaging with the event, not to mention a range of speakers attending from across the political spectrum this year. This highlights strengthening Government support for ISEA's case, which is a direct result of an enhanced level of political engagement among the ISEA executive board in 2017. It also reflects the increasing popularity of solar as a viable option for renewable generation in Ireland, being the second cheapest form of renewable generation after onshore wind.
