WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 20 and 21, Solar Power International, the solar industry’s most powerful, comprehensive educational conference and product exhibition, will offer its first-ever dedicated symposium on the solar heating and cooling (SHC) sector.

“This is a truly exciting time for solar heating and cooling,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “Every year, more than 30,000 SHC systems are installed in the U.S. – but we can do even better. SEIA's goal is to install 100 million SHC panels over the next 35 years, creating more than 50,000 good-paying American jobs and saving $61 billion in energy costs for America homeowners, businesses, schools and governments.”

Approximately 44 percent of energy consumption in the United States is directly attributable to heating and cooling. As detailed in the SHC roadmap, released last year and developed by BEAM Engineering and a task force of SEIA-member companies, an expansion of SHC systems will allow America to generate nearly 8 percent of its total heating and cooling needs through solar, displacing an equivalent of 64 coal plants.

The two-day symposium will feature keynote speaker Jigar Shah, author of “Creating Climate Wealth,” panels on innovation, growth markets and financing, as well as networking opportunities and access to the Solar Power International floor show. The full schedule can be found here.

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About SEIA:

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, [email protected] (202) 556-2885
Samantha Page, SEIA Press Officer and Communications Manager, [email protected] (202) 556-2886