Intersolar Europe - the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry - is kicking off on June 13, 2012. Under the slogan Connecting Solar Business, Intersolar Europe visitors can find out about the hottest trends and developments across the solar industry from manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and service providers from all corners of the world. This year, around 2,000 exhibitors are showcasing their products and services in the fields of photovoltaics, PV production technologies and solar thermal technologies across 170,000 square meters of exhibition space in 15 exhibition halls and a large outdoor exhibition area. Over 80,000 industry professionals from 150 countries are expected at the three-day Intersolar Europe event at the Messe München to find out about the latest developments and trends across the solar industry. Pioneering technologies at the Innovation Exchange Those wanting to discover the international solar industry's latest trends and newest technologies should come along to the Innovation Exchange at Intersolar Europe 2012 in hall B3, booth B3.450, where exhibitors are showcasing their innovations during 15-minute presentations. What's more, experts from each company are on hand afterwards to give further information. A particular highlight is the Intersolar AWARD ceremony, taking place on June 13, 2012 from 4.30pm at the Innovation Exchange. The AWARD is presented to international companies which have demonstrated their innovative strength with outstanding services and products. This year, the much-coveted innovation award for the international solar industry is celebrating its 5th birthday and is being presented by Intersolar Europe, together with the Berlin-based German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar). An independent jury of experts involved in science, industry, research and the trade media select up to three winners in the categories of Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Technologies and PV Production Technologies. The 2012 Intersolar AWARD is also featuring a new category, Solar Projects in North America. Winners from this debuting category are to be announced on July 12, 2012 at Intersolar North America in San Francisco. SolarEdge Technologies Inc. from Hod Hasharon, Israel is sponsoring the Innovation Exchange. Information and exchange at Intersolar Europe forums In cooperation with the newspaper, the F.A.Z., Intersolar Europe 2012 is once again bringing job seekers and employers together at the Job & Career Forum in hall B2, booth B2.310. The forum presents job advertisements from across the solar industry and offers visitors personalized consultations with experienced career advisors. Here, experts provide information on trends and career prospects in the industry and are also available for face-to-face talks. At the TopJob Corner, exhibitors hold 15-minute presentations describing any vacancies they have, what they are looking for in an ideal candidate and why applicants should choose to work for them. The Joint Forces for Solar initiative unites key players along the entire value-added chain, from international corporations to local installers, while the Joint Forces for Solar Intelligence and Networking Forum brings PV manufacturers and installers together. The forums are supported by the Bonn-based market research company EuPD Research. Markus A.W. Hoehner, CEO of EuPD Research, is reporting on the latest developments, future opportunities and hottest trends across the European PV market in his talk at the Innovation Exchange (hall B3, booth B3.450) on June 14. The panel discussion How Can European Key Markets Meet Expectations in 2012/2013? then sees industry experts shed light on the future of the European market. At the Installation Systems experts' forum, solar specialists, roofers, electricians and HVAC installers can learn about new products for mounting solar installations, as well as the trends and developments in this field. The forum events present, for example, the latest systems and technologies for different roof types and explains what to be aware of when mounting solar installations. The forum is being held on June 14 from 10:00am to 1:00pm in hall B1, room B13. The expert's forum is organized by Intersolar Europe in cooperation with RE Regenerative Energien, the trade magazine for photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies based in Gütersloh, Germany. Three special exhibits showcase the latest trends in the solar industry Following a successful launch last year, Intersolar Europe 2012 is hosting the PV ENERGY WORLD special exhibit for a second time, taking place in hall C4, C4.230. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Intersolar Europe is presenting the latest technologies from across the two thematic areas of Electricity Storage and Grid Integration, offering an insight into the future of power supply. The central forum of the special exhibit complements the program with its up-to-date expert presentations and panel discussions. Intersolar Europe is featuring the new PV and E-Mobility special exhibit this year, taking place in the outdoor exhibition area of the Messe München. This special exhibit shines the spotlight on the latest carport solutions, charging stations and electric vehicles. The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) from Berlin is once again organizing the Rural Electrification special exhibit at Intersolar Europe, where over 20 companies are to showcase their products and services in the field of off-grid power supply in hall B5, booth B5.230. BSW-Solar experts and exhibiting companies are available at the booth to answer any questions on rural electrification. Exhibiting companies offer their global experience of supplying electricity to off-grid regions in Africa, Asia and Latin America as part of a three-day series of presentations. The Intersolar Europe Conference is once again taking place alongside Intersolar Europe from June 11-14, 2012. In total, 2,500 attendees and around 400 speakers from around the world are meeting at the International Congress Centre Munich (ICM) for the Intersolar Conference and Side Events. Here, discussion covers current conditions and developments in international markets, as well the latest technologies and trends, shining the spotlight across the industry spectrum from photovoltaics and PV production technologies to solar thermal technologies. The highlights of this year's conference program include topics such as grid stability, state-of-the-art storage technologies and large-scale photovoltaic power plants. Discussions on solar thermal technologies focus on topics such as solar heat for industrial processes, solar cooling and solar heating concepts. Intersolar Europe 2012 takes place from June 13-15 at the Messe München. www.intersolar.de