September 2017

Cook County Catalyzes Community Solar in Illinois (and Beyond): A Solar Market Pathways Case Study Community shared solar is now positioned to be part of the Illinois landscape. Partnering with the City of Chicago, Elevate Energy, the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), the local investor-owned utility ComEd, and technical consultant West Monroe Partners, Illinois’ Cook County Department of Environmental Control jumpstarted community shared solar in the state and across the Midwest through the national Solar Market Pathways. More

Sara Baldwin Auck Solar Power World 2017 Innovator & Infuencer Solar Power World's September 2017 issue, released in time for Solar Power International, features eight solar innovators and influencers making a difference in the industry. Sara Baldwin Auck, IREC's regulatory program director, is one of those eight remarkable solar leaders. More

New Solar Learning Videos for Local Code Officials and Other Building Professionals New informational videos on solar codes and safety are the latest in a suite of training resources targeted to code officials, builders, solar installers and other building professionals. As part of a US Department of Energy SunShot program, IREC partnered with the International Code Council and the International Association of EIectrical Inspectors to develop resources for code officials to learn the key aspects of solar technology related to their trade. The two videos will help educate code officials and inspectors when inspecting residential solar installations. More

IREC Remembers Wind Giant Tom Gray Tom Gray , l ong-time wind energy advocate and former executive director of the American Wind Energy Association, died unexpectedly last month. Affectionately referred to by AWEAans as the wind wizard, Tom was a top-notch copy editor and opinion writer. "Tom provided AWEA leadership at a time when the wind industry was in its infancy and resources were meager at best," said IREC President/CEO Larry Sherwood. "His dedication to the cause of renewable enegy and his tireless advocacy remain an inspiration to us all." A memorial party to honor Tom is planned for Sunday, September 24, 5-7pm at the Montshire Museum, Norwich, Vermont. And on Sunday, October 22, 1pm, friends are invited to Georgia Mountain Community Wind in Vermont to honor Tom's wish to scatter his ashes on a wind site. Thoughts and condolences in Tom's memory can be sent to AWEA

Solar's Effect on Seemingly Unrelated Industries A feature in the September special SPI print issue of Solar Industry Magazine highlights how firefighters, code officials, real estate brokers and appraisers, home financiers and others are affected by the growth of residential solar. Each allied solar industry is benefitting from increased knowledge and training needed to do their jobs in a more solar prevalent world. More

National Solar Licensing Map Looking for solar licensing information in the US? IREC's n ational solar licensing map provides the latest requirements, policies and programs that affect the industry. Designed for policy makers, stakeholders, practitioners, students, consumers and anyone interested in solar licensing, the map is updated to keep pace with industry standards as they become available. More

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Over IREC’s 35-year history, our consumer focus has made clean energy possible for millions more Americans by removing regulatory and economic barriers.  Did You Know... In 1996, IREC published How to Value Renewable Energy and launched Workshop-in-a-Box educational series. In 1997 , Connecting to the Grid Guide – 1st Edition published. In 1999 , Going Solar campaign launched. In 2002 , IREC works with stakeholders to create North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and launches Solar Means Safety campaign to fill post 9/11 need. MORE IREC's Impact@35

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About IREC IREC is an independent national not-for- profit organization that envisions a world powered by clean sustainable energy, where society's interests are valued and protected. IREC galvanizes nationwide adoption of sustainable and efficient energy through fact-based policy leadership, quality workforce development and consumer empowerment. Our work over the past 35 years has propelled the incredible clean energy growth trends we are seeing today - building a strong foundation of clean energy state and national best practices and quality workforce training standards and programs. www.irecusa.org

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