In an effort to continue the San Diego region's rapid deployment of residential and commercial solar power installations, CleanTECH San Diego and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) are co-hosting the San Diego Solar Energy Symposium on March 6 at the University of San Diego (USD). The symposium will feature a number of distinguished guests from the solar industry to discuss the future of solar power in San Diego.

"No matter how much has been done, we've only just tapped into the full potential of rooftop solar solutions and mass adoption," said Jim Waring, President and Chief Executive Officer of CleanTECH San Diego.

"The lessons learned are the platform from which the region can grow to reach its full solar energy potential."

Michael Picker, Senior Advisor to California Governor Jerry Brown for Renewable Energy Facilities, will keynote the symposium, discussing the region's solar market and how to build a foundation for sustainable solar energy growth.

A host of industry experts including representatives from San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG and E), Kyocera Solar, REC Solar, Xtreme Power Solutions, Soitec, UC San Diego and the Clean Coalition will bring perspective to today's trends and challenges as well as outline a San Diego vision for solar power generation over the next decade.

Scott Anders, USD Energy Policy Initiatives Center Director, and Andrew McAllister, Director of Policy and Strategy for the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), will moderate the panel discussions.

"Transforming solar from a niche technology to a mainstream resource is a complicated undertaking. Our San Diego event brings together a productive mix of viewpoints that can serve as a model for the conversations that must take place across the nation," said Bob Gibson, SEPA Vice President of Market Intelligence.

SDG and E echoed the need for collaboration as the region continues to move forward and distinguish itself as a solar power leader.

"SDG and E is fully committed to the development of solar power and entered into 12 contracts with developers for 897 megawatts of new solar energy in 2011," said James P. Avery, SDG and E Senior Vice President of Power Supply.

"The Solar Energy Symposium is a key part of our ongoing effort to collaborate with leaders in the solar industry, policy makers and our customers as we progress in transitioning SDG and E to a clean energy future."