There seems to be a growing support for the argument that grid parity will become a reality within the near future with analysts in the UK suggesting that it could happen as soon as 2013. The Washington Solar forum will give attendees the chance to discuss the ideas of a viable photovoltaic industry and the possibility of solar generated electricity reaching the same price of electricity generated by non-renewable means in the US.

As well as offering a unique networking opportunity for guests, the forum will also see a number of expert, high profile speakers give a number of presentations regarding the future of the solar industry in the United States. Such speakers will include:

• Gabrielle Giffords, U.S. Representative, D-AZ
• Jigar Shah, Founder, Sun Edison, USA
• Julia Hamm, Executive Director, Solar Electric Power Association, USA
• David Arfin, Vice President, SolarCity, USA
• Rainer Aringhoff, President, Solar Millennium, USA
• Matt Cheney, Chief Executive Officer, Renewable Ventures, USA
• Carrie Cullen Hitt, President, The Solar Alliance, USA
• Shawn Kravertz, President, Esplanade Capital, USA
• Nancy E. Pfund, Managing Partner, DBL Investors, USA
• John Woolard, Chief Executive Officer, Brightsource Energy, USA
• John Bartlett, Financial Analyst, U.S. Department of Energy
• Adam Browning, Executive Director, The Vote Solar Initiative, USA
• Jeanne Fox, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, USA
• Nancy Hartsoch, Director, CPV Consortium and Vice President, SolFocus, USA
• Kevin Law, Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Power Authority, USA
• Arnold Leitner, Chief Executive Officer, SkyFuel, USA
• Brian Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, PrimeStar Solar, USA
• Mike Nedd, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management, USA
• William Nesbitt, Managing Director, Good Energies, USA
• Scott Stephens, Solar Energy Technology Program, U.S. Department of Energy
• Darren Van’t Hof, Vice President, US Bancorp Community Development Corporation
• Sanjay Wagle, Renewable Energy Advisor, Recovery Act Team, U.S. Department of Energy