AltaTerra Research to present customer case study and market overview for emerging solar technology, concentrating photovoltaics, during October 27 online conference co-produced by RenewableEnergyWorld.com.

PALO ALTO, California, October 18, 2010 – Early adopters have installed concentrating solar electric systems globally for the past decade, but will risk adverse project developers and financers accept this emerging technology? Concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) use lenses and mirrors to focus the sun’s rays onto a small area, reducing solar cell expense. Now CPV technologies have surprised industry participants with a wave of new project announcements--led by a 30 megawatt (MW) plant for Xcel Energy. Does this new surge of projects signal a tipping point for the concentrating PV industry?

AltaTerra Research will discuss this recent resurgence of CPV along with a customer case study and overview of the customers, project developers, and equipment vendors in the CPV industry in its upcoming online conference "Concentrating Photovoltaics: Customer Perspectives and Marketplace Realities” to be held on Wednesday, October 27 at 11:00 am Pacific / 2:00 pm Eastern.

Victor Valley College recently installed a one megawatt (1 MW) CPV plant, the largest completed CPV installation in North America to date. Al McQuilkin from GKK Works will discuss why Victor Valley College chose to install CPV over other solar technologies and share his experience with CPV. AltaTerra analyst Eric Paul will provide an orientation to the current realities in the CPV marketplace, including key players, emerging applications, and recent project announcements. Nancy Hartsoch, Director of the CPV Consortium will provide an overview of the industry, including levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and advantages over other solar technologies. Jon Guice, managing director of research at AltaTerra, will moderate an extended period of Q&A.

"We are delighted to have a leading CPV expert and a developer of the largest installed U.S. CPV system to have a frank discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing the CPV industry,” said AltaTerra’s Eric Paul. "2010 has been a period of excitement for the CPV industry as CPV companies continue to receive venture funding and a new wave of project installations and announcements have occurred—and the industry is growing rapidly with the kind of large-scale installations that we believe will be important to CPV’s growth. Despite the recent surge in project announcement and installations, CPV technologies still face challenges to wider adoption in the solar marketplace.”

Further information and registration are available online at:

http://www.altaterra.net/event/cpv.

AltaTerra Research Online Executive Conferences - co-produced by RenewableEnergyWorld.com

AltaTerra Research Online Executive Conferences are designed to provide independent professional education on critical market developments in efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable business. Recognized experts from the business community, institutions, and government share information and insights in an accessible conference session format that is interactive and non-sponsored. Conferences typically begin with an overview, then move into greater detail and close with a moderated audience question-and-answer (Q&A) period. You may access an online recording, including audio and presentations, shortly after the conference.

About RenewableEnergyWorld.com

RenewableEnergyWorld.com is the world leader for news and information about renewable energy technology, policy and finance. Founded in 1998 by a group of renewable energy professionals, RenewableEnergyWorld.com publishes online daily news and offers several technology-focused e-newsletters, podcasts and webcasts, plus, online product and company directories, events calendar, technology basics and much more. More information is available at www.RenewableEnergyWorld.com.

About AltaTerra Research

AltaTerra Research is a research consultancy specializing in sustainable business and the commercial marketplace for clean technology solutions. Through research reports, executive events and advisory services, AltaTerra helps forward-looking organizations improve resource-efficiency in their operations and capitalize on new 'green' market opportunities. From our headquarters in Silicon Valley, we have been serving a global base of corporate, institutional, and government clients since 2007. More information is available at www.AltaTerra.net.

Contact:
Eric Paul
AltaTerra Research