IESNA San Diego: Focus on solar and energy storage

IESNA is a trade fair and conference for solar energy, energy storage and related infrastructure topics. The event in San Diego is aimed at project developers, installation companies, manufacturers, grid and storage experts, investors and decision-makers from industry and energy supply. The focus is not on individual devices as consumer products, but on system issues: How can PV systems be planned economically, how can storage be dimensioned sensibly, what role do grid connection, load management and operating concepts play – and how are framework conditions changing as a result of regulation and financing? San Diego is more than just a backdrop. California is considered one of the most dynamic markets for photovoltaics and storage in the USA, characterised by high installation density, sophisticated grids, discussions about feed-in and tariffs, and a strong focus on resilience. It is precisely this complex situation that makes the location interesting for suppliers and operators: solutions must work under real conditions, not just on the data sheet.

Project business instead of product show

The event is very much project-driven. Many discussions revolve around specific applications: commercial rooftop systems, ground-mounted projects, storage for optimising self-consumption, grid-supporting storage services, charging infrastructure, and the electrification of corporate fleets. Exhibitors here often address several levels at once – hardware, software, planning, and operation. Typical topics on the exhibition and conference side are:

• PV modules, inverters, mounting systems and BOS components
• Energy storage, battery management, container solutions and safety
• Energy management, monitoring, forecasting and operational management
• Grid connection, protection technology, interconnection processes and codes
• EV infrastructure, charging and load management in commerce

It is striking how closely technology and financing are intertwined. Whether a project is built is often decided not by the efficiency of a component, but by the overall calculation of CAPEX, OPEX, revenue models, subsidy logic and risk assumptions.

Storage as the key to economic efficiency and grid operation

Energy storage is no longer a marginal issue. In many projects, it changes economic efficiency because it decouples generation and consumption, reduces peak loads or enables additional revenue streams. At the same time, requirements for safety, certification and operation are increasing: fire protection concepts, cell chemistry, housing and container design, detection and shutdown logic are not just technical details, but also approval and insurance issues. In the San Diego area, the grid perspective is also present: how can systems be operated in such a way that they relieve the burden on grids instead of placing additional strain on them during critical hours? This is where control, forecasting, measurement concepts and market signals come together. A large part of the current innovation dynamic lies at this interface.

Interface to the electrification of mobility and industry

A second driver is electrification – not as a buzzword, but as a load profile. Commercial charging infrastructure, depot charging, fleet operation and the electrification of heating processes shift peak demand and increase pressure on connected load. This makes PV and storage components of an overall strategy designed to make energy costs more predictable and reduce dependencies. Integration is crucial: charging points, energy management, storage and PV must be calculated and controlled as a system. This is precisely where the questions that trade visitors bring with them lie – less ‘Which product is new?’ and more ‘How does it work after the installation date?’.

What decision-makers in San Diego typically clarify

The discussions are often pragmatic. They focus on feasibility, risk and supply chains as well as performance. Typical touchstones are:

• Which revenue models are realistic for storage projects?
• How reliable are delivery times, service and spare parts supply?
• What requirements do grid operators have for interconnection?
• How are security, monitoring and maintenance organised over the years?
• Which software integrates plant operation, reporting and optimisation?

These questions reveal the core issue: the event is a workspace for the energy industry in project mode. Those who are successful here not only supply components, but also robust operating concepts – including documentation, evidence and clear responsibilities.

Classification as an industry event

IESNA in San Diego thus represents the consolidation of a market in which solar energy, storage and grid integration are converging. The trade fair is less of a ‘technology fair’ in the traditional sense and more of a place where projects, partnerships and implementation methods take shape. Its value lies in the combination of market overview and depth of detail: technical solutions are discussed in the context of financing, regulation and operation – and this is precisely where the decisive differences arise in practice.

Further information can be found on the organiser's website: www.intersolar.us