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From the Executive Director
"Fun!" That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about the 2010 Timonium Solar and Wind Expo. It was an extreme honor to work with all the companies that made the investment in promoting renewable energy at the show.
“Professionals” is the second word that comes to mind. I witnessed the high level of professionalism that these companies exhibited with well-constructed displays and with well-trained staff that explained the technologies to the many attendees over the weekend. I am reminded that folks like Sheila Dillard from the D.O.E. took time time away from her family on Mother’s Day, no less to promote renewable energy. These commitments humble me, and also galvanize my commitment to do my part in moving this industry forward.
I want to thank our gracious sponsors and all the seminar volunteers. I was impressed at how much information was disseminated and the quality of the seminar materials. I found myself smiling a couple times after walking by seminar room two and seeing Daylight Solar conducting a quiz show-type seminar that highlighted the benefits of renewable energy, and when I walked by seminar room one and saw that Chris May of Standard Solar had everyone sitting in a circle, having a highly focused discussion with the attendees.
There is a momentum that has been building over time, current events are finally tipping the scales in favor of a clean renewable future. A transformation is begining that will inevitably make a positive impact in our lives, and more important on our children's and their children’s lives.
We were so moved by the success of the 2010 event that we are planning three Solar and Wind Expos for next year. The Timonium, Md. event will happen May 13-15, 2011. We are also adding a show in the Philadelphia, Pa. and the Dulles, Va. areas. We will announce those dates and locations soon.
May you all have a fun, clean and properous summer,
George Lopez
Executive Director |
Renewable energy future on display at Solar and Wind Expo, vendors and attendees impressed; Baltimore man wins electric scooter grand door prize
by Alan Cohen |
The renewable energy future was on display for all to see at The Solar and Wind Expo, held May 7-9 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Throughout the three-day event, we saw large, steady crowds keeping the show’s vendors occupied, with vendors commenting that visitors to their booths seemed well-informed and serious about renewable energy and attendees saying they were excited by what they saw and learned.
"The Solar and Wind Expo… was the best renewable energy show we have attended, declared Gary K. Sorrelle, a wind specialist with Atech Energy of Oxford, Pa. “We were very impressed with the quality of the attendees. They came prepared to learn about and to see the latest in renewable energy equipment,” Sorrelle said. “The show was well organized. It was obvious that renewable energy was the passion of the organizers. It was not 'just another show' being put on by a show promoter.” And Atech is already looking forward to next year’s show, Sorrelle concluded.
“Astrum Solar was proud to sponsor the first-ever Maryland Solar and Wind Expo,” said Vadim Polikov, Ph.D., president of the Annapolis Junction-based company. “We were able to connect with hundreds of Marylanders interested in clean energy options during the event and educate many more on why now is such a great time to go solar.”
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| Identified 73 “strong leads” |
Corey Culbreath of Bith Energy with a very interested attendee |
“There was a constant flow of customers who were excited and motivated to go green,” said R. Daniel Wallace, director of renewable energy systems for BITHENERGY, Inc., in Baltimore. “In total, we were able identify 73 strong leads who were either ready to purchase or wanted additional pricing on future installations,” he continued. And how did Wallace sum up the Expo? In one word: “Excellent!!!!” |
“This was the most successful show we have participated in this year,” declared Susan Fausnaught, an operations specialist at A+ Solar in Darlington, Md. “There were significant numbers of attendees who had already researched different products and knew exactly what they were seeking.”
“The number of people attending the Expo was excellent and everyone was committed to going green,” said David Woolley-Wilson, executive director of the Green Building Institute, an environmental education organization based in Jessup, Md. “Going green is gaining momentum and this is a must-attend event,” Woolley-Wilson continued.
“The best renewable energy event of the year! The Solar & Wind Expo was well marketed, managed and attended and far exceeded our expectations even with Sunday being Mother’s day! We had to add additional staff to match the traffic flow and could not have been more pleased! We will definitely be there again next year!” Kurt Luecke GroSolar Regional Sales Manager
Attendees also had good things to say about the event. “I am so glad the Solar and Wind Expo came to Baltimore,” said Jillian Borchard, a healthcare practitioner from Owings Mills, Md. “I went to all the booths and got ideas for how to make my house less dependent on fossil fuels.”
“I was real impressed,” said Elijah Clark of Bowie, Md. The Solar and Wind Expo “was very engaging, with great speakers… and lots of great information on solar, wind and other topics – and all for only $10,” said Clark, a veterans’ green jobs specialist with the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. “You are definitely ahead of the curve and should stay there,” he added. |
Attendee Paul Snyder of Baltimore also had to be very pleased by the Expo’s results. Snyder won the top door prize at the Expo, a Motorino all-electric scooter from Baltimore-based Green Rider. He plans to use the scooter for tooling around the city as well as some commuting. |
From left: Ray Carrier, Paul Snyder and George Lopez |
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The Expo also was fortunate to land three great main speakers. Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kansas, our keynote, kept a large crowd enthralled with the story of how his town was utterly devastated by a tornado three years ago but is now rebuilding as the first all-green town in America, with environmental stewardship as its guiding principle. Paul Scott, vice president of Plug In America, an electric vehicle (EV) advocacy group, gave a brief history of the EV movement in the U.S., and then told how the new generation of EVs, such as the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and Tesla, are picking up where the earlier EVs left off. And Malcolm Woolf, director of the Maryland Energy Administration, gave a very informative presentation about Maryland’s extensive renewable energy activities, including its incentives for consumers and businesses.
And last but certainly not least, let’s not forget the many informative, well-attended seminars – all given by volunteer show vendors – that were held throughout the Expo, such as “Solar 101,” “Wind Energy 101,” “Geothermal 101,” “Intro to Going Green,” “Green Building Design,” “Why Now is the Time to Go Solar” and “Will a Wind Turbine Work for Me?”
Next Md. Expo set for May 13-15, 2011, with two more possible next year
The 2011 Maryland Solar and Wind Expo has already been set for May 13-15, the weekend after Mother’s Day, in Timonium. We’re also looking to possibly take The Solar and Wind Expo to two more locations next year: King of Prussia, Pa., with a tentative date of June 10-12; and Northern Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., with that date yet to be determined. Stay tuned to our newsletters and blogs (at www.solarandwindexpo.blogspot.com) for all the exciting news and details. |
Word of the Month
gen·e·sis
Pronunciation: \ ˈje-nə-səs\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, from gignesthai to be born
: the origin or coming into being of something <the genesis of a new political movement>
In this month of commencements from elementary to middle to high school and then on to real life and ever bigger and better things, genesis seems to be the perfect fit for The Solar and Wind Expo. Based on polls and surveys, last month’s first ever Expo was a resounding success from everyone’s perspective – vendors whose booths were flowing with “highly qualified” visitors, attendees who “learned a lot” from the knowledgeable vendors and expert seminars, guest speakers who inspired everyone to “make green a reality”, and the Expo organizers who are already working hard toward making next year’s Expo a success.
The Solar and Wind Expo is greatly motivated by the positive feedback and feels that with the first year effort behind, The Expo has truly come into being, it is a reality, it is “ahead of the curve” in fact! Taking a big clue and support from vendors and attendees alike, The Solar and Wind Expo is commencing with plans to add two other venues in 2011. So, let the genesis resulting from the 2010 Expo carry all of us forward to 2011 together as we all continue to make green a reality. Congratulations and cheers! |
Latest info.
The Maryland Solar and Wind Expo 2011 is set for May 13-15, 2011. We are very pleased to tell you that this is not Mothers day weekend but the weekend after and we feel strongly that this change will serve to attract an even bigger crowd.
We are also pleased to tell you that we are currently working on Pennsylvania and Virginia. |
Blog Postings
Next Md. Expo set for May 13-15, 2011, plus two more possible next year
Maryland Energy Administration “Project Sunburst” grant “makes solar a reality” for Frederick County
Department of Energy will provide up to $10 million to local governments to encourage solar energy use
Nissan turns over a new Leaf - by Paul Scott
Some solar plants leave for Asia – but still good conditions for solar buyers, sellers and installers in Maryland, U.S., Baltimore Sun writer says
Maryland boosts funding for mid-sized solar systems; grants of up to $50,000 available
Net zero energy home, Tesla, kids' scavenger hunt among exciting additions to The Solar and Wind Expo
U.S. Energy Department participating in The Solar and Wind Expo
Md home and business owners eligible for thousands in state grants and federal tax credit – for installing geothermal energy systems
Offshore wind could provide all electricity Maryland needs, improve economy and environment, new study finds
RETECH 2010: Cool renewable energy on display despite advancing “Snowmaggedon”
U.S. wind industry breaks all records, installs nearly 10,000 megawatts in 2009, AWEA reports
Who killed the electric car review
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