The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is holding its first virtual conference, SOLAR 20/20: Renewable Energy Vision, June 24-25, 2020. Originally set in Washington D.C., participants will now be joining virtually and engaging in important discussions on policy, technological advances, finance, storage, grid interconnectivity, community solar, education and more.

Now, more than ever before, there is an even greater urgency to accelerate the transformation to a renewable energy world. The worldwide disruptions caused by the pandemic provides opportunities for rebuilding a better, healthier world. Discussions on infrastructure to move forward will be central to the conference.

Registrants will participate on a completely virtual platform and will start by entering our virtual lobby where participants can then choose to go to a fully interactive networking lounge or an exhibitor hall where sponsors will be able to chat and share downloadable content with attendees. Another option in the lobby will be to enter the virtual auditorium where participants can attend a wide variety of live sessions or watch them later as all sessions will be recorded. Learn more and register by May 29 for the Early Bird discount at ases.org/conference.

In addition to keynotes addressing global strategies, sessions will cover policy successes at the local, state and national levels, public education and workforce development innovations, technology advances and strategies to optimize economic and environmental wellbeing through renewable energy.

The group will also host a Solar Citizen Action day on June 25 and will feature a Policymaker Interaction Forum. The Forum will provide guidance on how to approach policymakers. This guidance will include presentations by Lynn Abramson with the Clean Energy Business Network, Ruth McCormick with The Business Council for Sustainable Energy, and Robert Corwin with the Union of Concerned Scientists. These speakers will share what is working in their lobbying and advocacy efforts and the policies that will be most effective in this particularly disruptive time. The full conference schedule with speakers, sessions and moderators can be found online at ases.org/conference/schedule.

News item from ASES