It’s harder than ever to secure solar financing in today’s environment, but things are changing and this year has seen positive shifts that are destined to help both the short-term health and long-term viability of the solar industry. Venture capitalists put $4 billion into green-tech start-ups in 2008—nearly 40% of all tech investments in the U.S., according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. Reeling by the recession, green-tech investment plunged in the first half of 2009 to $513 million, but there are many signs of a rebound. For example, Silicon Valley's Khosla Ventures announced this month that it had raised $1.1 billion -- the biggest first-time fund in a decade—that would be largely devoted to investing in solar and other green-tech start-ups, many in California.

The rebound in venture capital, combined with the emergence of market-making public policy initiatives in the US and around the world, the solar funding landscape has never been more dynamic. To address today’s changing investment and finance climate, the 2nd Solar Energy Investment and Finance Summit will be held on November 12-13 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. SEMI PV Group is a partnering Association for the Summit, organized by New Solar Today. Full information is available on this link - http://www.newsolartoday.com/info/4

Over 40 industry leading experts are already confirmed to share their expertise on how to secure investment and finance for solar projects in 2009 and beyond including the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the Treasury, NREL, BrightSource Energy, SolFocus, BayernLB, HSH Nordbank, NORD/LB, New Enterprise Associates, Renewable Ventures, JPMorgan Capital Corporation, GE Energy Financial Services, Credit Suisse, Chadbourne & Parke LLP, Winston & Strawn LLP, Goodwin Procter LLP, Broadlands Financial Group and Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP.

They’ll be addressing the biggest challenges facing the industry including:

• Stimulus Bill Update: Provisions, requirements, guidelines and timelines - essential information your business needs
• Securing Finance Despite The Credit Squeeze: Who's lending, Who’s investing? How much? Who's getting the money? Everything you need to know now!
• Financing success: Get the inside track on how to unlock and secure Tax Equity, Venture Capital, Debt Financing, Project Finance and Public Capital Markets
• Survive & Thrive: Case studies that spell out how your peers - and competitors - have attracted and secured investment and finance in a downturn economy
• The REAL Impact Of The Financial Crisis: An in-depth briefing on the long-term impact of the credit crunch on solar project financing - plus expert advice on how your business can actually take advantage
• Regulatory Update: Get up-to-speed on the latest policies and incentives impacting the US Solar Industry and the implications for your business

Tinu Isaac, Director at New Solar Today recently said “In the current climate, knowing how to secure investment and finance is absolutely crucial to the development of the solar industry in the US and beyond. As the industry’s premier investment and finance meeting place anyone serious about doing business in the solar industry needs to be in San Francisco in November".

In addition to the rebounding global economy and VC activity, recent government actions have also helped fuel the volume and scope of investment opportunities. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order last week to adopt regulations increasing California's use of renewable energy to 33% by 2020. India and China are also joining Europe and the US on embarking on major programs to fund solar energy projects.

Bringing solar developers together with government officials, lenders, investors, attorneys and industry analysts to meet, learn and do business, this meeting will zone into every element of financing success. Full information is available now at http://www.newsolartoday.com/info/4