“Europe’s energy independence and security of supply starts with solar”

26 May 2011- Radisson Blu EU Hotel, Brussels, Belgium

The debate on Europe’s energy mix is today more important than ever. Recent events have accentuated the need to consider alternative, more sustainable energy sources. Renewable energies and especially solar energy can play a central role within Europe’s energy strategy.
 

European energy independence and security will be the core theme of this year’s European Solar Days campaign closing event.
 

Participants at this high-level panel debate include Paolo Frankl, Head of the IEA Renewable Energy Division, a representative from the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU and of the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy.
 

Following the panel debate, Louis Palmer, global environmental adventurer who completed a global tour in a Solar Taxi, will talk about his personal experience of solar energy’s potential. Participants will have the unique opportunity to test-drive his solar-powered car.
 

The closing event of the European Solar Days is co-organised by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) and will bring together numerous stakeholders to discuss the flexible use of solar energy.
 

The European Solar Days campaign (1-15 May 2011) aims to raise public awareness for solar energy all over Europe and is supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe programme of the European Commission. We are also official campaign associates to Sustainable Energy Europe.
 

We would greatly appreciate your attendance as your insights would add a valuable dimension to what is a crucial discussion for the future of solar energy in Europe.

Programme

Please find here the programme and further information

Registration
Participation to this event is free of charge. Please confirm your attendance before May 20 by registering online here

Location
Radisson Blu EU Hotel, Rue d'Idalie 35, 1050 Brussels

Here a map to the event location
 

For more information contact: 
Sophie Liberatore at s.liberatore@epia.org or

Theresa Doetsch at theresa.doetsch@estif.org

European Solar Days - Second Annual Conference
Prague, 7 & 8 November 2011

The European Solar Days Annual Conference is the main forum for representatives of network countries to assess the campaign results. It is also an opportunity to exchange views on how to enlarge the network and fire the enthusiasm of event organisers and participants alike.

“The European Solar Days face today a great challenge, as participants and event organisers increase their expectations and demand more from the organisations in charge of the European Solar Days campaign” said Riccardo Battisti, coordinator of the European Solar Days in Italy since the first edition in 2008 and responsible for the implementation of the 2012 campaign.

Representatives from Sweden and Ukraine also attended the conference as guests, since these countries will also be organizing Solar Days events in 2012 and have already done so in the past.

“The European Solar Days are based on the engagement of individuals, citizens, organisations, companies and public institutions all around Europe. They join efforts to promote solar energy to their fellow European citizens. This is a proven formula, which can be replicated and adopted in different countries” said Pedro Dias, coordinator of the European Solar Days.

Building on the existing network and past experience, the number of event, participants as well as network countries taking part, the European Solar Days are expected to continue to grow. During the Annual Conference the dates for the European Solar Days 2012 were confirmed as from 1 to 13 of May 2012.

Solar Citizens: People in charge of their energy future

10 May 2012 at 13:30 – European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium

This year’s European Solar Days Brussels event made the connection between the social and economic dimension of solar energy, while attempting to bridge the concerns of policy-makers with those of the public at large.

The interactive debate addressed a particularly topical issue in light of the Energy Roadmap 2050 and of how Europe’s citizens consider their energy choices in the years to come. As consumers look for ways to decrease their energy bills, the supply of affordable electricity and heating is becoming a major European goal.

The high-level panel debate welcomed representatives from the European Commission, Covenant of Mayors and a senior representative from Lampiris, the 100% green energy provider. Following the panel debate, representatives of National Campaigns had the opportunity to join the discussion via a live video connection, addressing questions to the panel. 

If you missed the live broadcast, watch the event here!

For more information please contact Scarlett Varga, s.varga@epia.org.

European Solar Days Interactive Stakeholder Debate

"Solar Citizens: People in charge of their energy future"

Panelists

Nigel Cotton, ESTIF Board member

Arthur de Vries, ESTIF Board member

Boris Klebensberger, EPIA Board member

Fabrice Didier, EPIA Board member

Pirita Lindholm, Member of Covenant of Mayors Office and Head of Climate Alliance Brussels Office

Maud Skäringer, Policy Analyst- Policy Coordination, European Commission DG Regional Policy

Bruno Vanderschueren, Director General and Co-founder, Lampiris

National Campaign Organisers

Portugal, Maria João Rodrigues, President, Apisolar

France, Richard Loyen, Managing Director, Enerplan

Italy, Sisto Bruni, President, Legambiente- San Benedetto del Tronto

European Solar Days - Third Annual Conference

Vienna, Austria - 19 and 20 November 2012

The European Solar Days Annual Conference is the main forum for representatives of network countries to assess the campaign results. It is also an opportunity to exchange views.

Austria Solar will be hosting this year's conference.