For the PV industry to live up to its commitment of responsibly producing clean solar energy, environment, health and safety (EHS) risks need to be better understood and managed. As a step toward this reality, SEMI / PV Group will be hosting a Forum to identify EHS risks in PV manufacturing and share approaches to address these risks. Speakers will share best practices on protecting the health and safety of workers, conserving energy use, protecting the earth’s climate, reducing and properly disposing of wastes, reducing use of hazardous substances, and promoting product safety. This Session will be moderated by Sanjay Baliga, Senior Manager in the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Division of SEMI / PV Group.

We hope you’ll join us at WREF 2012. Click here to register.

Dr. Richard Komp (center), Morgan Robinson, and Claire Weingarten accept the Cinema for Peace International Green Film Award.

Wow! How exciting is this? Dr. Richard Komp, American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Life Member, Director of the Maine Solar Energy Association and intrepid world-traveler was co-producer of a documentary movie, Burning in the Sun, that recently won the Cinema for Peace 2012 International Green Film Award. Richard, along with his co-producer Claire Weingarten and the film’s director, Morgan Robinson, picked up their award in Berlin on February 12^th at the Cinema for Peace Award Gala.

Dr. Komp acted as a mentor to Daniel Dembele, a young entrepreneur from Mali, West Africa who wants to help his country and its citizens by installing solar electric panels on 99% of all rural houses in Mali to bring electricity to those communities for the very first time. Richard travels the world, working in developing countries, teaching average citizens to build and install photovoltaic (PV) panels that generate electricity from the sun. His work brings power to people who’ve never experienced it before. Watch the trailer below.

Watch the video below, and read about Strenski’s project in “Building a Solar Movement,” from the March/April issue of SOLAR TODAY magazine.

Day is experienced in these fields having served as director of donor relations for Georgia Public Broadcasting, president and CEO of the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers, and as executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Before moving her expertise to the government and nonprofit arena, Day enjoyed a successful corporate career with companies including Lanier Business Products and AT&T/Lucent. She graduated with honors from the University of Georgia with a degree in political science.

Doug Beebe, GSEA chair, said the board is pleased to have a leader with Day’s broad expertise at the helm to pilot it into its new phase of development. With more than 250 corporate and individual members, GSEA is dedicated to helping Georgia share in solar industry growth. Over the past two years, this growth has contributed more than $2.5 billion to the U.S. economy. “We have shown solar works in Georgia. Now we are well-positioned to accomplish our full mission, helping the state’s economy grow and making our energy portfolio more diverse and secure.”

Day joins a team of professionals working with GSEA in a range of services, including communications, membership development and advocacy. She will coordinate those efforts with the organization’s regular schedule of activities and outreach throughout the year.

About the Georgia Solar Energy Association

GSEA is a non-profit organization that is leading the statewide effort to promote the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy in Georgia through advocacy, education and public support. GSEA is working to make Georgia a national leader in clean energy and sustainable development. For more information, visit gasolar.org.