Cork to host country’s largest solar conference run by Energy Cork

Industry leaders will gather in Cork in the coming weeks to discuss all aspects of solar power in Ireland at the country’s biggest ever conference of its kind.

The future of solar energy in Ireland will be analysed at the event run by Energy Cork, the industry cluster formed to strengthen enterprise and employment in the sector.

The conference will bring together policy-makers, leaders of industry, and solar power experts including Port of Cork chair and Amarenco chief executive, John Mullins.

According to Energy Cork cluster manager Kieran Lettice, Ireland’s climate is well-suited to solar energy and Cork has potential to be a central hub for the industry in Ireland.

“There is a distinct difference between solar and wind energy— you can’t see, smell or hear solar PV [photovoltaic] and it works well in the Irish climate,” said Mr Lettice.

Sunny day in Cork. Ideal for planning the Ireland's Solar Energy Future conference on 29th January. pic.twitter.com/Cu7anuyi5y

— Energy Cork (@EnergyCork) January 14, 2016

“In fact, the electricity produced by solar PV in Ireland is comparable to what it would produce in Germany, the global leader in solar PV deployment.

“Cork is ideally placed to be a hub for this emerging industry and its supply chain.”

Solar PV was recognised as part of the solution for the generation of zero-carbon electricity in Ireland in the Government’s latest White Paper on energy policy.

The solar sector has become one of the most dynamic sectors in the European renewables electricity market as the technology has become more affordable and demand for clean energy has grown.

The conference to take place on January 29 in the Clarion Hotel, Cork, will address solar power for Ireland in relation to policy, planning, technology, grid access, finance, project development, and legal aspects of development.