For Immediate Release
August 13, 2009
Contact: Carol McEntee/Candace McCaffery
(404) 816-2037
Southern Solar Summit Shines the Light on Georgia’s
Renewable Energy Opportunities
Georgia Solar Energy Association hosts two-day, two-city event to energize
Georgia’s solar industry
(ATLANTA, SAVANNAH)– With the recent decision by the Georgia Public Service Commission to triple the cap on solar purchases by Georgia Power, along with expanded incentives provided through the state and its newest clean energy bill, there has never been a better time for growth in Georgia’s solar industry. The Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA) is providing an opportunity for environmental and design professionals, policymakers, government officials, developers, and others seeking to learn how to advance the clean energy sector with the inaugural Southern Solar Summit. The Summit is the first of a planned series of annual events that will provide education, hands-on learning and networking opportunities across a broad range of subjects. 
Core tracks will include Solar Basics, Solar Economics, Solar Public Policy, and the Current State of Solar.
Scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Sept. 3, in Savannah and Atlanta, respectively, the Summit is offered as specifically featured sessions within two larger conferences, the Georgia Environmental Conference in Savannah which will host a free, four-hour session prior to the formal start of GEC, and the GreenBusiness Works EXPO in Atlanta, where the session is a full-day format and is included as part of conference registration.
“There are an estimated 400 or more solar electric systems installed in Georgia, generating more than two million kilo-watt hours and offsetting more than 1,300 tons of CO2 annually,” said Walter Brown, chairman of the board of GSEA. “Now is the time to grow those numbers, and these events allow attendees the opportunitity to hear first-hand from respected industry leaders how we can increase Georgia’s renwable energy use, and create green jobs.”
Both sessions will include panel discussions on topics such as training/green jobs, architechture/built-
The Summit represents another example of the state’s increased interest and effort toward solar power development. This year’s corporate sponsors include Cookerly Public Relations, OneWorld Sustainable, SMA Solar Technology, Sunpower, Radiance Solar and non-profit sponsors are cleanenergy.org, Georgia Institute of Technology, National American Board of Certified Energy Practicioners (NABCEP), Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance and Southface.
To register and view conference agendas, visit www.gasolar.org.
About the Georgia Solar Energy Association
The Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA) leads the statewide effort to promote the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy through education, advocacy and industry support. GSEA, a non-profit affiliated with the American Solar Energy Society, is supported by more than 230 members across the state (energy professionals and grassroots supporters) who are working together to help create a sustainable energy economy for Georgia. For more information, visit www.gasolar.org. Fan GSEA on Facebook or follow on Twitter @GASolar.
###