October 6-7, 2008

Lisbon, Portugal

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Mission Description

The U.S. Commercial Service in Portugal, along with the International Trade Administration’s Energy Team, is organizing a two-day Solar Trade Mission to Portugal, to be held on October 6-7, 2008.

This Mission is designed to provide U.S. small-to-medium sized, export-ready, companies with an efficient, cost-effective opportunity to enter the Portuguese market and establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors, end-users and joint venture partners. Focus areas include solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, solar building products (lighting, accessories, appliances, etc), solar system components, services, controls, kits, etc.

Each participant will be offered a program of business appointments with local, pre-qualified prospective partners, business multiplier groups and Portuguese government representatives. In addition, participants will benefit from a full range of business facilitation services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service in Portugal, including market research, business briefings, and networking events. CS Portugal is also coordinating with the organizers of EuroSun 2008 to include delegates in the trade event during the second day of the mission.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Portugal aims to attract U.S. company representatives looking for a foothold in a market with strong commitments to sustainable energy development and carbon emissions reductions, and with established and growing private sector capabilities in the solar field.

Commercial Setting

In recent years, the Government of Portugal has approved various measures to promote, develop and achieve one of the most ambitious renewable energy goals among the 27-member European Union countries.

Current proposed targets are for 39% to 45% of electricity to be produced from renewable energy
sources by 2010. Portugal is turning to renewable energy to reduce its huge dependence – over 87% - on imported fossil-based fuels and meet its international commitments to reducing carbon
dioxide emissions.

The objectives defined by the government include the following:

• Innauguration of the biggest worldwide photovoltaic power station in Moura;
• Microgeneration installation to include solar PV, reaching a total of 50,000 systems by 2010;
• Increase of installed wind power capacity to a total of 5100MW by 2012;
• Achieve 250MW in biomass installed capacity by 2010;
• Reach a target of 10% of bio-fuels integrated into road fuels by 2010;
• Achieve 100MW of biogas installed capacity for anaerobic waste processing;
• Create a pilot zone capable of reaching 250MW capacity for technological development of new wave energy prototypes.

Given the government’s commitment to accomplishing the above-mentioned goals, demand for renewable energy products and services in Portugal is growing rapidly.

Portugal boasts one of the highest levels of solar radiation in Europe. Sunshine on mainland Portugal varies between 1800 and 3100 hours per year. Total global radiation varies between 140 and 170 kcal/cm2.

There is vast potential for the application of thermal solar power in Portugal, estimated at around 2.8 million square meters of panels. Thermal solar power for low temperature water heating is advantageous, both from an energy and environmental viewpoint, representing a significant contribution in reducing greenhouse gases.

In addtion, Portugal also enjoys excellent conditions for photovoltaic conversion, with generating indices of between 1000 and 1500 kWh per year for each installed kWp.

Produced Electricity (GWh)	2005	2006	2007	Feb 2008
Photovoltaic	4.1	4.8	23.6	25.6
Source: DGGE

Installed Capacity (MW)	2005	2006	2007	Feb 2008
Photovoltaic	2.9	3.4	14.5	16.7
Source: DGGE

The Portuguese renewable energy market provides excellent opportunities for U.S. companies within the following product areas: mono-crystalline & poly-crystalline, amorphous PV modules, AC inverters, cabling components for PV systems, mounting structures for PV systems, turn-key grid-connected PV plants, solar tracking PV plants, roof-integrated PV plants, façade-integrated PV plants, PV sun shading & louvre blinds, PV systems & hybrid systems for off-grid applications, PV street lighting, flat plate, evacuated pipes, unglazed & air solar collectors, solar boilers, piping & components for solar thermal system, complete natural & forced circulation DHW systems, combined space heating & DHW solar systems, combined solar thermal & gas systems, solar cooling, concentration systems for solar thermal power and PV recharging stations for electric vehicles. This market is very receptive to advances in technology, which present opportunities for entry via a collaborative research or partnering approach with a local Portuguese company.

U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, Thomas Stephenson, is actively engaged in promoting alternative energy and clean tech linkages between Portugal and the United States, having developed high-level, close working relationships between the Government of Portugal and counterparts in the U.S., including Energy Secretary Bodman.

Portuguese facts:

• Renewable energy technology is a leading sector for U.S. exports;
• Imports from the U.S. to Portugal in 2007 totaled $2.4 billion;
• Portugal’s primary trading partners are the EU and the U.S.;
• Portugal’s GDP is $233 billion with an annual growth rate of 1.9% (2007);
• Portugal offers a relatively low-cost workforce, strategic location, and good infrastructure;
• Portugal is in the Top 50 of the WEF Global Competitiveness Ranking.

Misson Goals

This trade mission seeks to help U.S. companies offering appropriate technologies and services to establish or increase their market presence in Portugal. CS Portugal will leverage the group’s presence to set up a series of value-added meetings with government officials, private sector counterparts, association representatives, and embassy officials. Our goal is to help the U.S. delegates find potential partners, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners in the Portuguese market, laying the foundation for successful long-term ventures.

Mission Scenario

U.S. companies will arrive in Lisbon on Sunday, October 5, 2008 and check-in at a hotel designated by the U.S. Commercial Service. Day 1 will include market briefings, one-on-one business appointments, and a networking reception. Day 2 will include participation in EuroSun 2008 and a possible site visit to the Serpa Solar farm.

Applications received after September 1, 2008 will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Mission Timetable

Sunday, October 5, 2008

• Arrive in Lisbon (a.m.) – evening no-host reception at hotel for delegation to review agenda with CS Portugal.

Monday, October 6, 2008

• Welcome Breakfast with U.S. Ambassador Stephenson (TBC)
• Market Briefing by SCO Banerjee and CS Ferreira
• Presentations by Solar Energy Association (SPES)
• Lunch with American Chamber of Commerce in Portugal
• One-on-one matchmaking appointments
• Evening Networking Reception at Hotel

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

• No-Host Breakfast
• Company Participation in EuroSun 2008 (presentations, walking the show floor);
• Lunch with SPES members
• *Serpa Site Visit – tour by Catavento
• Return to Lisbon

* Subject to confirmation

Criteria for Participation

Targeted mission participants are U.S. solar companies, particularly small-to-medium sized enterprises (SME), providing innovative products, services, and solutions. The following criteria will be used to evaluate interested participants:

• Relevance of the company’s business to the mission goals;
• Market potential for business products/services in Portugal;
• Timeliness of the company’s completed application and participation agreement signed by a company officer;
• Provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, and communication of the company’s primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners;
• Timely receipt of the participation fee of $1,450. The fee does not include airfare, hotels, meals or other personal expenses;
• A minimum of 5 or a maximum of 10 companies participating in the mission.

Participating companies’ products and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States or, if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent
of the value of the finished good or service.

Contact Information:

Dillon Banerjee, Senior Commercial Officer
Pedro Ferreira, Commercial Specialist

U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Embassy
Avenida das Forcas Armadas
1600-081 Lisbon
Portugal

Tel. +351 217 702 572
Fax: +351 217 268 914

Registration Form

Please complete the following to begin the registration process for our Solar Trade Mission to Portugal.