The solar sector is a truly global business arena. There will be plenty of international exhibitors and content at Solar Power 2008, which should be a huge conference (by energy industry standards) at the Convention Center in San Diego, October 13-16. Last year's conference topped 10,000 attendees.

Add to that the first-ever Intersolar North America exhibition and conference, July 15-17 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Intersolar is best known as a large European conference and expo for photovoltaics, solar thermal technology and renewable energy architecture. The organizers predict their first North American event will draw 1,400 exhibitors and over 10,000 attendees. The California event was announced last fall, but the date and location were not set yet.

When it comes to conference economics, exhibitors make the show go round. It's no wonder vendors from all over the world want to exhibit here. The U.S. market for solar has been experiencing rapid growth, installing more than 300 megawatts and bringing over $2 billion into the national economy in 2007 alone, according to the Solar Electric Industries Association (SEIA).

California is the nation's largest generator of solar electric power. The California Solar Initiative will provide more than $3 billion in solar-electric rebates, and produce 3,000 megawatts of solar electric power by 2017. More than 30,000 homes and businesses in the state already have installed photovoltaic solar systems.

California is also a leader in solar manufacturing and development. California companies received half of all U.S. solar power venture funding investments -- $654 million -- in 2007.

There's potential to grow. Intersolar North America 2008 will occupy 350,000 square feet in Moscone Center. That's about half the size of the Europe conference -- 670,000 square feet -- in the New Trade Fair Centre in Munich.