Forum chair Marlene Brown, of Sandia National Laboratory, said, “I created this forum to promote women who are working in all aspects of solar to encourage other women to get involved. The purpose of the forum is to inspire women to become more technically involved in solar, not just peripheral to it. It’s easy for us to talk about what we do, but this isn’t a forum to just talk about what we do for work but about how we got where we are and the obstacles and barriers that we’ve come up against and broke through or just moved out of the way to continue on our path. I’m looking for women in different aspects of solar. Examples are electricians, teachers, women in government, business owners and others.”

The forum is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, just before the Women in Solar Luncheon. Contact Brown at mbwildwoman@gmail.com

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The Soiree included an informative question and answer session, where attendees learned valuable information about the benefits of solar power. Featured speakers included Laureen Peck, Vice President of Marketing for Solar Energy World and moderator for the event, Ann Elsen, founder of Elsen Energy, Susan Greene, President ofAmerican Solar Energy Society, Stelli Munnis of SunPower Corporation, as well as Summer Reed and Sara Callaghan, also of Solar Energy World. Topics included financial incentives, SRECs, and the factors that caused the women of the panel to become involved in solar energy.

Solar Stars Soiree Panel of Speakers

Homeowners listened to presentations about solar energy, the financial and environmental benefits, and the process of installing a solar power system in a home or business. In addition, Candice Stankus, a homeowner and Solar Energy World customer spoke about her experience with the company, and with solar power in general. Summer and Sara of Solar Energy World discussed SRECs, incentives, and net-metering, and attendees participated in a question and answer session with the members of the discussion panel.

POW! Awards

Several prominent and influential attendees received the Solar Energy World 2012 POW! Award (Power of Women)

About the POW! Award Winners

POW! Award winner, Kim Parson is President of Maryland-based Automotive Collision Technologies, one of Baltimore Business Journal’s 50 Largest Woman-Owned Businesses. She is devoted to running her business with integrity when it comes to customers, and the environment.

POW! Award winner, Ann Elsen was a contributing speaker at the Solar Stars Soiree and is the founder of Elsen Energy and the Executive Director of the Howard County Green Business Association, and, as a member of several other green organizations, is a consultant to the local government on energy issues.

POW! Award-winner, Stephanie L. Dunn-Hunt is President of Dunn & Associates Public Relations, another company listed in the BBJ 50 Largest Woman-Owned Businesses. She is the sole creator of the Baltimore African-American Home & Garden Show, and has been featured in Baltimore Smart CEO Magazine.

POW! Award-winner, Lisa  Ambrose is founder, President, and CEO of Tithe Corp., also a BBJ Largest Woman-Owned Business. Tithe Corp. is a green, internationally recognized, and 100% woman owned and operated business specializing in innovative HVAC solutions.

Thank you to all of our speakers and guests who attended this event that celebrated the influence of women in green technology and renewable energy! To view even more photos from the event, please visit our Solar Stars Soiree album.

Susan Preene, President of ASES, speaks at the Soiree

Thank you Solar Energy World for inviting ASES to the Soiree! This article was republished courtesy of Solar Energy World.