August 5-9, 2019  |  Minneapolis, MN  |  The Crowne Plaza AiRE.

The American Solar Energy Society believes that supplying 100% of America’s electricity with renewable energy is not only possible but urgently necessary.  As attendees at the SOLAR 2018 ASES conference heard, we need to decarbonize our economy by the middle of THIS century in order to have any chance of constraining the global temperature increase to less than 2 °C, which in itself will be disruptive to humankind.

ASES represents the scientists, educators, and activists who can provide renewable energy technologies and solutions for climate action in the United States that will have an impact within the next five years.  The ASES SOLAR 2019 Conference will focus on those strategies.

The door for impacting climate change is rapidly closing.  ASES intends to be a loud voice to follow the lead of states and cities across the country to decarbonize the nation’s electricity supply and make an impact while that door is still open.  We are in a race against time, and ASES believe we can win that race.

The ASES SOLAR 2019 Conference will be held in one of the leading states for taking climate action, Minnesota.  Minnesota has enacted climate policies that have provided leadership in the growth of wind power, solar power, community solar, variable generation integration technologies, energy efficient buildings and electrifying the transportation sector.  But the strategies and solutions that will be presented at the conference can – and must – be implemented across the country.  Minnesota is pleased to host this important conference on taking climate action.

Many strategies will be necessary to take immediate climate action:  Electricity supply (residential, commercial, industrial, utility-scale solar; on land wind power; offshore wind power); transmission (including a national HVDC grid); electrifying the economy (transportation, homes, businesses, buildings); policies (international, national, state, intra-state, city); public support (social media; popular press, education); personal actions (renewable energy opportunities; energy efficiency, electric vehicles).  All focused on taking meaningful action within the next five years.

Of course, the ASES traditions for learning and networking will be included in the conference:  Opening Reception, ASES Chapter Caucus and Annual Membership Meeting, Awards Banquet and Fellows Reception and Women in Solar Energy (WISE) Luncheon.

The ASES chapter in Minnesota, the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, is looking forward to organizing a variety of ancillary events to offer, from the electric vehicle display to the solar-powered boats to technical training programs, solar-powered breweries, and more.