SOLAR TODAY - June 2012

perspective
The Past Points to Our Future By DAVID HIll

Susan Greene: ASES President

LeADInG THe RenewABLe eneRG Y ReVOLu TIOn
sOlArtOdAy.Org
sOlAr TODAY®

David Hill is chair of the american solar energy society.

For six decades, the american Solar Energy Society (aSES) has pioneered the growth of renewable energy markets, helping to advance the research, policies, business models, education and professional relationships that comprise the foundation of today’s industries.

Today, the technolo-
gies we incubated are
mainstream, gaining
strength with each month. Worldwide, these
renewable resources are the cornerstone of our
energy future. Energy producers, distributors,
consumers and regulators need us more than
ever, in our role as an objective clearinghouse
for information. For instance —
• Consumers have long understood the value of
clean and renewable energy. They want help find-
ing reliable renewable energy products and ser-
vices, and help finding pro-renewable politicians.
They want a cause to believe in and work for.

• Young professionals seek careers bringing clean, renewable energy to the market. This next generation of innovators will create new technology, policy and business models. They want mentors.

• Established renewable energy professionals need help modernizing their business practices to stay competitive in a fast-evolving industry.

• Policymakers, elected and appointed, need hard facts on which to base practical decisions.

To serve these audiences, aSES offers these
assets:
• Chapters fostering grassroots outreach, edu-
cation and action across the country.

• Technical divisions exchanging professional know-how and providing expertise to chapters and policy-makers.

• The annual ASES National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots renewable energy event on the continent, connecting the retail industry with future consumers.

• SOLAR TODAY and its e-media, providing quality content, consumer education and a versatile platform for marketing communication.

• The annual ASES National Solar Conference, a forum for both young and seasoned professionals to exchange information via formal papers, networking and business development.

• An influential, well-connected membership base of savvy individuals, leading businesses and partner organizations.

The Future

The Society’s future includes all forms of
clean, renewable energy. Going forward under
new leadership, aSES will be —
• The recognized source of reliable, objective
information to educate the public and officials
about all sources of renewable energy.

• The social network connecting informed, active and concerned consumers with businesses offering renewable energy products and services.

• The link between consumers and businesses on one hand, and advocates and policymakers on the other, in support of accelerated deployment.

The Society’s future includes all forms of clean, renewable energy.

• The professional membership organization connecting young and career-changing pros with seasoned colleagues and industry experts.

• The clearinghouse to move new technology efficiently up the path to commercialization.

In short, aSES will build the networks, tools and forums to help our members and partners move forward. We are a diverse community, all moving toward one goal: a clean, renewable energy economy.

The aSES Board of directors and staff now invite all members of the aSES community to contribute ideas in support of that goal. let us know how aSES can help you, and how you can help aSES.

We wish you a happy Summer Solstice! ST

Editorial Gina R. Johnson: Editor/ Associate Publisher editor@solartoday.org Seth Masia: Editor/a SES 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

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 ases.org/tour ASES National Solar Conference ases.org/conference

ASES Board of Directors David Hill, Chair Bill Poulin, Treasurer Jason Keyes, Secretary David Comis Nathalie Osborn Trudy Forsyth David Panich Allison Gray Jeff Peterson Walter Grondzik Phil Smithers Chuck Kutscher Bill Spratley 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.