For Auld Lang Syne

Carly Rixham

As the sun sets on 2019, It's time to step up for the PLANET!

On this final day of the 2010’s, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the American Solar Energy Society’s efforts in advancing a 100% renewable energy society, thank you for your efforts, and ask for your financial support. We all want to be sure we’ve done our best to make the Earth healthy and prosperous. Thank you to those of you who have supported ASES already! Have you checked out our awesome website recently? It’s chock full of resources and programs to empower the solar community. Please make a donation to ASES in support of solar education, new solar jobs, renewable energy advocacy, connecting the renewable energy community, and advancing research and development of clean energy in the new decade.

“For Auld Lang Syne,” since 1954 ASES has worked to advance professional and public understanding and support for solar energy, energy efficiency and the built environment. This year ASES focused on the climate emergency and solutions to it. We introduced the ASES Webinar Series, along with the development of two new Technical Divisions. We began the ASES Endowment Fund to ensure the security and longevity of our organization. Our office hosted a dozen Emerging Professional interns from all over the world. We brought on two new ASES Chapters. We doubled the number of local tours as hosts of the National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots solar event in the world. We also hosted a game-changing conference in Minnesota, focused on climate action as a new angle of the ASES framework. We partnered with dozens of other nonprofits and for-profits in sharing media and other resources. We published four Solar Today magazines, a conference program, a National Solar Tour guide, and 21 issues of Solar@Work. We launched our newest program, the Zero Energy Network (ZEN), and received a grant to issue micro-grants for solar and other renewable projects in marginalized communities. Our most popular Facebook post of the year was about a solar panel that makes Hydrogen! with over 12,000 views. We exceeded our goal of 1 Million Tiny Watts, a platform to connect solar citizens to small-scale solar applications. We streamlined our membership offerings and partnered with the Technology Credit Union to expand our community. We received a grant for volunteer engagement and recruited an army of volunteers to take us into 2020. We surveyed our membership and gained valuable insight on our community, services and offerings. We stood in solidarity in the Climate Strike in Boulder, and with Greta in Denver, protesting government inaction and corporate fossil fuel emissions. We are prepared to take action on Capitol Hill at SOLAR 20/20 in Washington D.C. and hope you will join us there as we partner with the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon and kick off the Summer with a week of solar immersion.

Our dedicated efforts are bearing fruit and the promise of a sustainable energy economy is envisioned by more and more Americans every day. We integrate the perspectives of science, industry, economics and citizens. We believe knowledge and community are a powerful combination for change. Thank you for your financial support as we hit the ground running in 2020. We are truly grateful for anything you can do to help.

2019 has been a rollercoaster for solar and climate awareness around the world. We witnessed the hottest June in history and then July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. This year, CO2 reached record highs at 415 parts per million. The UN says we have 11 years left to stop irreversible damage from climate change. It’s time for change! Solar capacity is now over 3% of the nation’s total capacity, compared to 0.1% in 2010. This year, we had the longest government shutdown. Despite challenges of tariffs and competition with fossil fuels, solar energy continues to thrive. Renewables, dominated by wind and solar, are on the verge to take the lead for new capacity added in 2019 and then continue to expand their lead in 2020 and beyond. With the step down of the ITC beginning in 2020, perhaps more people will feel the urgency of using incentives to solarize their homes and businesses.

Before the new decade begins, please take a moment to reflect on the work ASES has accomplished. Make the most of your tax-deductible donation in 2019, and support ASES. Support like yours is crucial to the success of our mission to enable a 100% renewable energy society. With your contribution, we will be able to continue our work as solar advocates and educators. We are the voice of the community for renewable energy. Please also pass this message on to anyone who may want to know about and support our great work.
Thank you for helping lead the renewable energy revolution, and helping the American Solar Energy Society create a solar powered future. 

It’s Time to Step Up for the Planet!

With Gratitude,
Carly

Carly Rixham
Executive Director
American Solar Energy Society

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