Registration is now open for PV America East 2013 being held Tuesday, February 5 through Thursday, February 7, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pa. PV America East offers a forum for the U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) industry including installers, project developers, designers and suppliers from the mid-Atlantic and New England regions to connect and develop relationships with companies that provide photovoltaic (PV) products and services.

The show is also the place to get current information on the changing policy landscape and learn new techniques and best practices to stay competitive in the evolving solar industry.

Presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), PV America East takes place at the Philadelphia Convention Center and is anticipated to draw more than 4,000 solar industry professionals who want to see the latest PV products, services and technology from more than 150 exhibitors.

A timely and extensive PV-focused conference program features 27 concurrent sessions in six tracks - finance, policy, markets, innovations, working with utilities and cross-cutting.

For the first time at PV America the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and Solar Energy International (SEI) are providing free PV technical training and resources for installers, salespeople and other solar energy professionals. Taking place in booth 1301 on the exhibit floor, the training sessions led by subject experts, address subjects including grid-tied systems (residential, commercial and utility), grid-tied with battery back-up systems and stand-alone systems. The popular Solar Idea Swaps and pre-conference workshops round out the program.

The U.S. solar industry's growth remains robust with a total of 5,700 megawatts of installed solar electric capacity as of the second quarter, following the industry's second best quarter of growth ever. Much of this growth has been in the Northeast region. In 2012, New Jersey was among the top three states in total installed solar capacity, followed by Pennsylvania (8th), New York (9th), Massachusetts (12th) and Maryland (16th).

"PV America East is the solar event to attend for any utility, solar installer, policymaker and large energy user doing business in the Eastern U.S.," said Julia Hamm, president and CEO of SEPA. "Our robust, skill- and knowledge-building conference program provides an unmatched opportunity to stay current about technology innovations, pricing, and market dynamics."

"We expect 2013 to be another record growth year for solar PV, but a number of market challenges persist," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. "PV America is the place for everyone involved in solar PV - and anyone who wants to be - to connect with industry leaders, gain current market insights and training and increase their company's competitiveness."

2013 Projects of Distinctions Awards
Submissions are now being accepted for the third annual Photovoltaic Projects of Distinction Awards which showcase major achievements in the U.S. solar energy marketplace and demonstrate the importance of alternative energy technologies and green building.

Nominations can be submitted through November 16 for awards which celebrate companies, individuals, and projects in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. that have made innovative use of the unique advantages of photovoltaics to meet community energy needs. The submissions are judged by industry experts and all projects must be operational and demonstrate a collective benefit to the community and an innovative use of policy and financing to enhance the project's impact. Recipients of the 2013 PV Projects of Distinction Award will be recognized during the February 5 General Session at PV America East.

Previous eastern region winners were: Silver Lake Solar Facility, Pittsfield, Mass.; Carlisle Area School District Ground Mount Solar Array, Carlisle, Pa.; and Family Residences and EssentialEnterprises (FREE) Project, Long Island, N.Y. The 2012 winners from the western region were: Arizona Western College Solar Installation, Yuma, Ariz.; Clean Energy Collective Community-Owned Solar Farm, Holy Cross Energy, Garfield County Airport, Rifle, Colo.; and the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ-9) Complex at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, Calif.