Policy Division

Welcome to the Policy Division – Join Us Today

Our Goals

The aim of the Policy Division of ASES is to promote governmental policies used to encourage solar energy deployment. The Division’s primary goals are to:

• Organize and provide information on policy mechanisms and program models that support solar energy growth at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Understand solar policy adoption and diffusion trends across the U.S.
• Provide a platform for best practices and information sharing regarding policy innovation.
• Offer mentorship and educational opportunities to current and prospective solar policy analysts.

Our Members

The Policy Division is chaired by Dr. Gilbert Michaud gmichaud@luc.edu. Our diverse division members include, but are not limited to:

• Energy Policy Analysts
• Researchers and Academics
• Solar Developers
• Regulators and Government Officials
• Nonprofit Staff
• PV Owners and Other Solar Supporters

Topics We Consider

Topic areas of central focus for the Policy Division include:

• Federal, state, and local policies to encourage solar (e.g., RPS, community solar, etc.)
• City commitments to 100% renewable energy
• Business policies for solar energy and climate action
• Utility solar programs (e.g., green pricing)
• Novel solar energy financing
• Economic impacts and workforce implications of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar
• Policy diffusion and adoptability
• Policy communication, education, and stakeholder engagement

How We Communicate with the World

The Policy Division encourages a wide variety of communication means, including the division forum platform, webinars, the Solar@Work e-newsletter, the Solar Today magazine, social media (e.g., Facebook and Twitter), ASES’ annual SOLAR conference, and periodic meetings called by the Division Chair, among others.

How We Build Our Division Community

We invite ASES members to join the Policy Division and participate in meetings, forums, publications, and other division activities. Division members are encouraged to contribute to events, share resources, and present research at ASES’ annual SOLAR conference. 

Upcoming Division Opportunities

Policy Division members are encouraged to submit proposals to the next ASES SOLAR Conference in 2024.  Additional information on webinars and other events/opportunities will be announced as they are finalized.

KEY RESOURCES

ASES Policy Division Forum

Solar Today Magazine

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Solar Policy Toolkit

National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Policy Analysis