perspective
Come to Denver for WREF 2012!

Susan Greene: ASES President
leaDiNG the reNewable eNerGy reVolutioN
by SuSAN GREENE

Editorial Gina R. Johnson: Editor/ Associate Publisher editor@solartoday.org Seth Masia: Editor/ASES Director of Communications smasia@solartoday.org Brooke Simmons: Managing Editor bsimmons@solartoday.org Design Allison J. Gray: Art Director Dan Bihn: Photojournalist Contributors Richard Crume, Rona Fried, Chuck Kutscher, Joseph McCabe, Mick Sagrillo, Robert Ukeiley

susan Greene is president of the american solar energy society.

Worldwide, solar installations are booming along at 28 gigawatts annually, and in the United States, the business doubles its volume every year. Renewable energy, in general, offers unprecedented opportunities.

Come to the World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF 2012), May 13-17 in Denver, and see where you, and your ideas, fit into the future.

Finance: Since 2008, financing has been the only item in short supply in our business, and so the banks have earned some aggressive competition from leasing companies with access to venture capital. Choose from among more than 80 presentations in the WREF track on Finance, Policy, Marketing and Workforce Development to learn how the banks plan to re-enter distributed energy markets, and where the leasing companies will go next.

Technology: Around the world, factories are retooling to challenge low-cost competition with higher-efficiency modules. Meanwhile, concentrating solar power is building baseload power. The market for great ideas has never been stronger. The WREF tracks on Renewable Energy Technology and Generation, Distribution and Transportation offer nearly 400 presentations, showing what the industry will be installing three years from now.

Outreach: How can the industry build support for better policies and infrastructure? How can it speak to voters and new customers? Engage with the experts at WREF’s Policy, Advocacy and Marketing Conference.

Society and Gender: Explore the many ways that clean energy can save lives around the world, in the tracks on Energy and Gender and Energy Access, Social Dimensions and Environmental Benefits.

Colorado: See how Colorado’s renewable energy businesses have become the keystone for the future in America’s heartland. Visit the Colorado Showcase sessions, hosted by the Colorado Renewable Energy Society. And tour the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The World: Most of all, we extend a warm welcome to our colleagues from 66 nations around the globe, brought here through the partnership of the World Renewable Energy Network. This is our chance, and theirs, to build a universal network of experts, focused on a carbon-free energy future for all people, everywhere.

Book now! Hotel space is going fast! Go to wref2012.org for details and to register. ST

Advertising Bonnie D. Hunt: Eastern Sales Manager bhunt@solartoday.org P: 215.750.7692 P: 800.598.7947 F: 215.741.4698 Rob Simonelli: Western Sales Manager rsimonelli@solartoday.org P: 562.431.1630 F: 562.431.1530

Magazine Advisory Council Gabriela Martin, Chair Dan Bihn Paul Notari Richard Crume Mick Sagrillo Chuck Kutscher Bob Scheulen Joseph McCabe Robert Ukeiley

ASES Operations Carolyn Beach: Customer Service Manager The Fellows Group: Virtual Chief Financial Officer Patty Michaels: Accounting Manager Joel Moore: National Solar Conference Assistant ASES National Solar Tour nationalsolartour.org ASES National Solar Conference | WREF 2012 wref2012.org

ASES Board of Directors David Hill, Chair Bill Poulin, Treasurer Jason Keyes, Secretary Jeff Lyng, Immediate Past Chair Toni Bouchard Nathalie Osborn David Comis David Panich Trudy Forsyth Jeff Peterson Allison Gray Tony Silva Walter Grondzik Phil Smithers Chuck Kutscher Bill Spratley

There’s still time to register for WREF 2012 in Denver, May 13-17 ( wref2012.org).

SOLAR TODA Y (ISSN: 1042-0630) is published eight times per year by the American Solar Energy Society, 4760 Walnut Street, Suite 106, Boulder, Colorado 80301, 303.443.3130, fax 303.443.3212, ases@ases.org, ases.org. Copyright © 2012 by the American Solar Energy Society Inc. All rights reserved.

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