Colorado touts solar industry at NA's largest solar trade show

Group plans to build on the momentum of recent GE announcement to promote Colorado as the innovation center for solar


The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC), and several economic development organizations from throughout the state are touting Colorado's rapidly growing solar energy industry at this week's Solar Power International 2011 Trade Show & Exposition in Dallas, Texas, October 17-20, 2011.

Colorado is riding high after GE's announcement last week that it will build the nation's largest solar panel manufacturing facility in Aurora--a $300 million project employing 355 people initially. According to GE company officials, Colorado emerged as the winner among 10 other states vying for the nation's most coveted solar project because the state offers all of the company's "must haves" including reasonable water and electrical rates, the ability to rapidly move into an expansive facility, access to a well-trained and highly educated workforce, and a location less than an hour from one of GE's existing "centers of excellence."

"This is certainly a seminal deal for Colorado and what we hope will be the first of many more to come. GE has discovered what Vestas, SMA Solar Technology, and other leading cleantech companies know already-that Colorado is the country's top location for innovation in the solar industry," said Pam Reichert, vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "And like these companies, GE will bring a multitude of suppliers to Colorado as well, bringing great job opportunities and capital investment with each company expansion."

Exhibiting at a 600-square-foot booth (#6201), the Colorado team will meet with executives from solar firms eyeing expansion in the state and is featuring one of Colorado's innovative companies, Nokero, inventor of the world's only solar-powered light bulb. Short for "No Kerosene," Nokero was formed in June 2010 by Colorado inventor Steve Katsaros to develop affordable, safe, and environmentally-friendly solar products that eliminate the need for harmful and polluting fuels used to light homes around the world. The Colorado team will distribute 1,000 of Nokero's N200 solar bulbs at its booth during the trade show to shed light on Colorado's innovative business climate for solar companies.

The team will also host a networking reception in Dallas tonight for more than 150 prospects and Colorado companies. Event sponsors include Encore Electric, Polsinelli Shughart, and the Metro Denver EDC.

And to help further Colorado as North America's Cleantech Hub, the Metro Denver EDC is carrying out an extensive advertising and public relations campaign, including:

Clean technology, with 1,600 companies employing more than 19,000 workers, was the only cluster within Colorado to grow in 2010. Employment in Colorado's cleantech industry increased 32.7 percent between 2005 and 2010, compared with a 10 percent increase at the national level, according to a 2011 study by the Metro Denver EDC.

Solar Power International (SPI) is North America's largest, most comprehensive solar power trade show and conference. Nearly 24,000 professionals from 125+ countries will attend SPI in Dallas this year. With one out of five attendees coming from outside the United States, SPI is truly a global event. In 2011, over 1,200 companies from all vertical markets in the solar power spectrum will exhibit in a space of more than 1 million gross square feet.

Learn more:
» www.CleantechHub.com
» Colorado Solar Industry Facts (PDF download)