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Press release 24 March 2014

The First AfricaPVSEC Opens its Doors in Durban, South Africa on 27 March 2014

South African, national and international speakers from around the world will talk about photovoltaic (PV) development in Africa
Prof. Vivian Alberts, University of Johannesburg, heads the conference steering committee
Conference program covers the entire PV value chain

Munich/Durban 24 March 2014 –The first Africa Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (AfricaPVSEC) opens its doors on 27 March 2014 in Durban, South Africa and welcomes the PV community. This PV solar gathering will allow a high level forum discussion among leading national and international representatives of the science-to-science, business-to-business and science-to-industry communities, as well as policymakers – all major stakeholders for the African PV solar sector.

The AfricaPVSEC is designed to provide an international platform to present and discuss the latest scientific results, as well as to offer networking opportunities for solar industry professionals and public policy stakeholders. Solar photovoltaic(PV)-generated electricity is a key energy source poised to meet Africa’s rapidly growing energy demand, which cannot be met by traditional sources alone. Therefore, AfricaPVSEC aims to headline Africa’s position on the global PV map, highlighting the extension and development of solar PV on the continent and the increased potential for use of PV technologies and applications in the African context.

Prof. Vivian Alberts, University of Johannesburg, Head of the Conference Steering Committee, comments: “I am confident that the first Africa Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition will be remembered as the catalyst for sparking future solar PV innovations and strategic business opportunities on the African continent. I look forward to meeting you in Durban and I am eager to join all of you in an effort to make positive contributions to this historical event that will shape the future of solar PV in Africa”.

Comments of Giovanni Federigo De Santi, European Commission, DG JRC, Director of Institute for Energy and Transport (IET): "The AfricaPVSEC Conference will certainly help to accelerate ongoing collaboration between the EU and Africa in the area of Renewable Energy Technologies, specifically over the last years the Joint Research Centre in coperation with DG DEVCO, (development and Cooperation) has created the African Renewable Energy Technology Platform which facilitates the promotion and exchange of knowledge and capacity building in this area, I'm sure that both the scientific conference and the exhibition will help to expand this network even further."

The Technical Opening on Thursday, 27 March at 9.00 a.m. will feature three keynote speeches on Renewable Energies and PV Focus on Africa, Competence and Overview of Research Landscapes in Africa, and RE and PV Research and Implementation in South Africa.

At the Opening on Thursday, 27 March at 10.30 a.m. international leaders from the worlds of politics, science and business will share their views on the latest scientific results and proposals for technical advancement in the solar PV sector:

Vivian Alberts, University of Johannesburg/PTip (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Rafikh Ismail, IDC, Green Strategic Business Unit, South Africa
Giovanni Federigo De Santi, European Commission, DG JRC, Director - Institute for Energy and Transport (IET)
Yansong Rong, Economic& Commercial Counselor, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa, South Africa
Mmboneni Muofhe, Department of Science and Technology, Deputy Director General, South Africa
Robert Blair, GCL Solar Energy, Vice President Business Development, USA
Stefan Rinck, Singulus Technologies AG, Germany
Innocent Siziba, Development Bank of Southern Africa, South Africa

The hosting of this prestigious event in South Africa underscores the recognition given by the international community for the technical innovations in the PV sector and the rapid commercial advancements of the solar PV sector in South Africa, especially over the past two to three years.

AfricaPVSEC is inviting you cordially to a Press Conference on Thursday 27th March 2014, 12.00 pm at the ICC in Durban.

We kindly ask you to register yourself at:
http://www.africapvsec.info/cms/index.php?page=press-accreditation&hl=en_US

Background:
AfricaPVSEC is an initiative of EU PVSEC and SNEC, which partnered to promote the photovoltaic solar energy sector in Africa and to bring together leading experts, researchers, public authorities, representatives of international organizations, donors, and NGOs. AfricaPVSEC is supported by European and international organisations including: the European Commission, Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA), African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA), ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the University of Johannesburg.

The Conference Programme is coordinated by the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre.

For further information please visit: http://www.africapvsec.info/mailing/single_news/opening_2014/Opening_2014.html

Contact:
info@africapvsec.com
Tel.: +49-(0)89/720 12 735
Tel.: +39-055 500 21 74 ext. 204