Inovateus Solar may not be exhibiting at Solar Power International this year, but we’re still coming to Las Vegas with a strong contingent. There’s so much going on, we’ll be keeping busy, regardless of the lack of our own booth. As we look forward to the week ahead, here are four reasons why we’re stoked to be at the U.S. solar industry’s biggest show.
Number one: Meeting with our suppliers and partners.
It seems like along nearly every aisle of the expo hall there’s one of our component and system suppliers exhibiting its wares. Whether it’s our various PV panel suppliers, inverter partners, racking, mounting and tracking friends, balance of system buddies, or monitoring vendors, SPI provides a venue for catching up on their latest product developments, negotiating, and networking.
Number two: Learning about new technologies and industry trends.
Every year, SPI provides a showcase of the latest and greatest solar technology and products. AC modules, tricked-out solar-plus-storage systems, rooftop trackers, or simplified racking approaches–the list goes on. We’re always on the lookout for new and improved solutions, both for our own projects and our supply customers in residential solar. SPI also has a killer conference, with dozens of educational sessions, market updates, feisty panels, and inspiring keynotes. Throw in the geeked-out poster sessions and expo hall presentations, and you have a huge buffet of professional knowledge improvement offerings to choose from.
Number three: Attending the SPI Tweetup.
As many in the Inovateus community know, we love Twitter, and we especially love the solar tradeshow Tweetups that take place every year. It’s a great place to gather the tribe, see old friends, make some new ones, put the names and faces with the handles, and even do some business development while enjoying a refreshing adult beverage. In fact, we’re such big fans of the SPI Tweetup that Inovateus will be one of the sponsors of this year’s happy-hour event, taking place on Wednesday evening at 6 pm at the Smart Energy Microgrid Pavilion outside the convention center. The 2016 edition of the SPI Tweetup promises to be a memorable one, as it will include the wedding of two solar pro lovebirds (after all, it is Vegas) and be officiated by the Right Rev. Tor “Solar Fred” Valenza. (For more info on the Tweetup, click here)
Number four: It’s Vegas, baby!
Between the various happy hours, receptions, pub crawls, and official events like the SPI Block Party, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize with our peers. While most of what goes on during working hours at SPI does not stay in Vegas, certain tales from the after-hours scene will remain on a need-to-know basis. But what could top the huge, beautiful macaw perched on a sketchy guy’s shoulder that some of us saw as we scarfed fast food in San Francisco after Rev. Ray and the Everlasting Incentives won the Solar Battle of the Bands during Intersolar? Well, that was SF, this is Vegas.
If you’re not following Inovateus on our social media channels—Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn—we encourage you to do so. This week, we’ll be sharing our SPI experiences and observations via regular social posts. Also, if you’re attending the show, please contact us and hopefully one or more of our team members can meet with you.
By Mauricio Anon, brand ambassador, Inovateus Solar
