October 7-9, 2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Mission Description
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S.& Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Solar Trade Mission to Portugal, to be held on October 7-9, 2008.
This mission is designed to provide small-to-medium-sized, export-ready U.S. 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 (such as lighting, accessories, and appliances), solar system components, services, controls, and kits.
Each participant will be offered a program of business appointments with local, pre-qualified prospective partners, as well as meetings with business multiplier groups and Portuguese government representatives. Participants will benefit from a full range of business facilitation services provided by the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (CS) in Portugal, including market research, business briefings, and networking events. CS Portugal is also coordinating with the organizers of EuroSun 2008 to include participants in the trade event during the second day of the mission.
The U.S. & Foreign 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 reduction, 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% of its energy needs– on imported
fossil-based fuels and meet its international commitments to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The objectives defined by the government include the following:
- Construct, in Moura, the world’s biggest photovoltaic (PV) power station;
- Increase microgeneration installation, to include solar PV, to 50,000 systems by 2010;
- Increase wind power capacity to a total of 5100 Megawatts (MW) by 2012;
- Achieve 250 MW in biomass installed capacity by 2010;
- Reach a target of 10% of bio-fuels integrated into road fuels by 2010;
- Achieve 100 MW of biogas installed capacity for anaerobic waste processing;
- Create a pilot zone capable of reaching 250 MW capacity for technological development of new wave energy prototypes.
Given the government’s commitment to accomplishing these 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 (kilocalories per square centimeter - 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 addition, Portugal enjoys excellent conditions for photovoltaic conversion, with generating indices of between 1000 and 1500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year for each installed kilowatt-peak (kWp).
| Produced Electricity (Gigawatt-hour - GWh) | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Feb 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic | 4.1 | 4.8 | 23.6 | 25.6 |
| Source: Direcção Geral de Geologia e Energia DGGE |
| Installed Capacity (MW) | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Feb 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic | 2.9 | 3.4 | 14.5 | 16.7 |
| Source: Direcção Geral de Geologia e Energia |
The Portuguese renewable energy market provides excellent opportunities for U.S. companies within the following product areas: monocrystalline and polycrystalline, 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 louver 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, and concentration systems for solar thermal power 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 technology linkages between Portugal and the United States, having developed high-level, close working relationships between the government of Portugal and counterparts in the United States, including Energy Secretary Bodman.
Portuguese facts:
- Renewable energy technology is a leading sector for U.S. exports;
- Imports from the United States to Portugal in 2007 totaled $2.4 billion (up from $1.4 billion in 2006);
- Portugal’s primary trading partners are the EU and the U.S.;
- Portugal’s gross domestic product (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 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Ranking.
Mission Goals
This trade mission seeks to help U.S. companies offering appropriate solar 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. The goal of the mission 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
The mission will include pre-screened, individual appointments with potential business partners; industry/country market briefings; logistical support; networking opportunities with leading industry and government officials; and full conference registration for EUROSUN 2008, including conference materials and admission to all conference sessions, the international exhibition, and luncheons.
EUROSUN 2008, jointly sponsored by the International Solar Energy Society (ISIS), the Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) program of the International Energy Agency, and the Portuguese Solar Energy Society (SPES), is a conference and trade event that will be held at Lisbon’s Congress Center from October 7 to 10, 2008. The conference agenda will include several technical seminars and panels addressing current solar industry areas and issues, while the exhibition will feature solar products and services from around the world. More information can be found at the event’s website: http://www.eurosun2008.org/.
U.S. companies will arrive in Lisbon on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. The EuroSun 2008 opening ceremony and welcome cocktail will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that evening. The following day will include participation in EuroSun 2008 and a no-host dinner with Senior Commercial Officer Dillon Banerjee and Commercial Specialist Pedro Ferreira. The final day, Thursday, October 9, will include market briefings, one-on-one business appointments, and lunch with American Chamber of Commerce officials.
Mission Timetable
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
- Arrive in Lisbon (a.m.);
- Delivery of conference materials/registration at the designated Hotel;
- EuroSun 2008 opening ceremony;
- Welcome cocktail.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
- Company Participation in EuroSun 2008 (seminars, walking the show floor, company networking);
- No-host dinner with SCO Dillon Banerjee and CS Pedro Ferreira at restaurant;
- Return to Hotel
Thursday, October 9, 2008
- Welcome Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Stephenson (TBC)
- Market Briefing by SCO Banerjee and CS Ferreira
- Presentations by the Solar Energy Society of Portugal (SPES) or the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN)
- Lunch with American Chamber of Commerce Officials in Portugal
- One-on-one matchmaking appointments at the Embassy
- Return to Hotel
Note: U.S. delegates are free to stay until the end of EuroSun 2008 (October 10).
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the Solar Trade Mission to Portugal must complete and submit an application for consideration by the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. The mission will open on a first come first served basis to a minimum of 5 or a maximum of 10 qualified U.S. companies.
Fees and Expenses:
After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The participation fee will be $1,950for large firms and $1,450 for a small or medium-sized enterprises (SME)*, which includes one principal representative. The fee for each additional company representative is $800 dollars. Expenses for lodging, most meals, incidentals, and travel will be the responsibility of each mission participant.
Conditions for Participation:
- An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation.
- Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content.
Selection Criteria for Participation:
Targeted mission participants are U.S. solar companies, particularly small-to-medium sized enterprises (SME), providing innovative products, services, and technologies. Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of the company’s business to the mission goals;
- Market potential for business products/services in Portugal.
Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process.
TIMEFRAME FOR RECRUITMENT AND APPLICATIONS
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade mission calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet web sites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than September 7, 2008. Applications received after this deadline will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Contact Information:
|
In Portugal:
Dillon
Banerjee, Senior Commercial Officer |
In the United States:
Debora
Sykes, Senior International Trade Specialist |
*An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations (see http://www.sba.gov/services/contracting opportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The dual pricing schedule reflects the Commercial Service’s user fee schedule that became effective May 1, 2008 (for additional information see http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html).
Solar Trade Mission Flyer