U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS’ OFFICE HOLDS 51st SOLAR POWER 101 EVENT THIS WEEK

Workshop on Wednesday will discuss state-of-the-art research and development that is changing rapidly growing industry

TUCSON , AZ – November 29, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The office of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will hold a workshop this week at which homeowners and business owners can learn about the latest developments in the rapidly growing and changing solar energy field.

On Wednesday, Giffords’ office will hold its 51st Solar Power 101, a continuing community education series on solar energy. This workshop will focus on cutting-edge solar technologies, including a discussion on research and development that is changing the face of the industry. The event will be of interest to homeowners and business owners who are considering solar as a way to reduce their energy bills.

Tonight’s event will be held at the Nanini Branch Library in Northwest Tucson.

Speakers will be:

• Tom Alston, solar outreach and policy coordinator for Giffords’ office, who will give an overview of solar basics.

• Dr. Vincent Lonij, a post-doctoral research associate in the University of Arizona department of physics, who will talk about solar research at the university and the future of the electric grid.

• Anne M. Simon, a University of Arizona Ph.D. candidate, research assistant and chair of the interdisciplinary student organization, “The Energy Science Group.” She will discuss solar advances through chemistry and student involvement in solar research.

• Hilary Hirsh, business development coordinator at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park Solar Zone. She will give an overview of this world-class solar research and testing facility and some of the technologies that are being explored.

Wednesday’s event is free and open to the public but anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP by contacting RSVPsolar (at) mail.house (dot) gov or 520-881-3588.

Last month, Giffords was named the top solar champion in the federal government by the national trade association of the solar energy industry. It is the latest of many honors the congresswoman has received for her strong advocacy of solar power.

Giffords, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, is one of the most passionate supporters of solar energy in Congress. She played a key role in obtaining a $1.45 billion federal loan guarantee that enabled construction of Arizona’s largest solar power-generation plant near Gila Bend. She also had solar panels installed on her home in Tucson.

Giffords’ office recently organized and hosted a Solar Summit at the U.S. Capitol on the state and future of the solar industry that attracted more than 100 participants in person and about 600 who watched online. Giffords’ office also leads regular “Solar Hot Team” conference calls with policymakers and industry leaders.

Solar electric energy use worldwide has grown by an average of 30 percent annually over the past 20 years, driven by rapidly declining costs and prices. A recent study found that the U.S. solar market is on pace to double last year’s installed capacity by the end of 2011. Tucson, which has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, has developed a reputation as the Southwest’s most active “solar center.”

Media is welcome to attend Wednesday’s event.

WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ office hosts Solar Power 101 workshop on latest developments in the rapidly growing and changing solar energy field

WHEN: 6 – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

WHERE: Nanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon Road, Tucson

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