This is a long-running, annual conference that attracts a wide range of participants, and has as its "base” technical executives in the solar industry. This year, in addition to giving a broad overview of the field, the conference focuses on utilities as customers and a market segment. As AltaTerra Research first pointed out in 2010, utility solar, both in the United States, has emerged as a high-volume, high-growth segment of the market. In fact, it often represents the largest sales volumes and highest rates of growth. Moreover, the U.S. mirrors global trends.

Tomorrow there will be a series of sessions specifically focused on current issues in utility-scale solar:

• Government Affairs, Federal Policy & Initiatives
• Utility Perspectives Panel: Strategies from Major Utility Companies
• Transmission Panel: Unique Perspectives from Utilities, Developers and Regulators on Issues of Transmission
• Siting & Land Development Panel: Federal and Local Issues Facing Utility-scale Solar Project Land Development
• Environmental Policy Panel: Environmental Issues Facing New Utility-scale Solar Development and Topics to Watch in 2012
• Banking & Finance Panel: The Hurdles and Challenges Financing Large-scale Solar Projects, and Featuring a Discussion of How PV and CSP Compete on the Issue of "Bankability"

In an interesting turn of events, the "Photovoltaic Summit" is now covering the type of utility-scale solar that specifically does not use photovoltaics. CSP comes up in the agenda on the second day of the conference and now the organizers have added a third day devoted to CSP. Registered attendees of Photovoltaics Summit 2012 are invited to attend Concentrating Solar Thermal Power day on Thursday, April 19. 

Here is a summary of that day’s agenda:

CSP Conference Day

Introductory

Concentrating Solar Thermal Technology Applied to Enhanced Oil Recovery
The Value of Thermal Storage

Large-Scale Project Updates: Facility Managers and Developers Discuss Major Issues Facing CSP Facilities, and Creative Ways Sites are Overcoming Obstacles

CSP Construction and Plant Development in the US Southwest
Ivanpah Solar

Crescent Dunes
EPC Market Status & Contracting Considerations

CSP Power Block: Innovations to Create Customer Value

CSP: A Solar Boost to Existing Power Plants
CSP R&D within the U.S. DOE's SunShot Initiative

Design Advancements in CSP Technology

Breakthroughs in PCM Thermal Storage for CSP

Thermal Storage in Sand - A Radical Shift in the TES Cost Curve
Status of the Ultimate Trough Development
Advanced CSP Trough Design

Parabolic Trough Hybrid Applications

Design Advancement Q&A with TERRAFORE, US SOLAR THERMAL STORAGE, FLABEG, ALCOA and SKYFUEL

Industry participants tend to focus on the competition between PV and CSP—because it is in fact real and immediate, with direct consequences for the fates of companies that are struggling to grow. What's also important is what is happening in the competitive context surrounding both types of solar for utility renewable energy customers.

What’s really happening in utility-scale PV and CSP? I plan to attend and report some of my observations here.

For more information and to register, see AltaTerra’s overview of the conference http://www.altaterra.net/events/event_details.asp?id=196289.

As a supporting organization, we are pleased to be able to offer a 10% discount to our contacts.  Simply mention AltaTerra when you register by phone or email. Or you can use the code "AltaTerra” when you register online. Contact John Buss at +202-309-7296 or john.buss@pira-international.com.