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The 2008 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) conference, Solar
2008, will be held May 3–8 in San Diego. The conference will
not just address solar energy but all forms of renewable energy and
efficiency. There are many great green conferences that one can
attend these days, all of which are very inspiring; however, the
ASES conference adds a vast amount of technical value for
architects. ASES was green long before most organizations even knew
about green, including the AIA. For 36 years, peer-reviewed papers
on renewable energy have been presented at ASES conferences, and
for 32 years, passive solar and energy efficiency papers have been
presented. Each day the conference begins with plenary sessions on
the conference’s theme. The Emerging Architecture session
offered each year presents inspiring ways that architecture is
changing to meet the needs of our energy future.
I have been attending ASES conferences since 1994, and have learned
a great deal. I have also twice presented papers on my passive
solar work and research findings. Those attending the conference
receive a copy of all the papers and proceedings, adding a wealth
of knowledge once the conference is over. In addition to the
papers, there are forums with panels of experts sharing their
knowledge.
In July 2006 the conference was held in Denver and the theme was
global warming. Many national experts framed the issue, presenting
their research and findings. Ed Mazaria concluded the sessions by
presenting the 2030 Challenge and the role that architects can play
in reducing global warming.
In July 2007 the conference, held in Cleveland, was titled
Renewable Energy Puts America Back to Work. Industry experts
outlined renewable energy’s vast economic potential for
America. They showed the current status and projections of future
solar and wind production and the opportunities for American jobs
in the production and installation of the required hardware. They
also addressed political action required to secure America’s
energy future. There were presentations on new energy analysis
tools for architects, case studies on day lighting in schools, and
discussions on the aesthetics of renewable energy integration into
architecture. Before the opening sessions, half- and whole-day
workshops were presented on topics such as energy software, the
basics of photovoltaic design, renewable energy applications,
renewable energy integration, day lighting, and passive solar
design.
Solar 2008 will explore the theme Catch the Clean Energy
Wave—representing the growing movement toward renewable energy
as a key component in climate recovery, a strong and healthy
economy, and a secure energy future program. The conference program
will focus on solutions that illustrate how solar, wind, water, and
biofuels can meet energy policy goals in 2010, 2020, 2030, and
beyond, and span borders, including United States/Mexico, United
States/China, and the world.
As architects, if we are to meet the 2030 Challenge, we must
address new and innovative ways of incorporating efficiency and
renewable energy into our designs. Solar 2008 is an event where we
can come to learn and share in our quest for helping to create a
more sustainable world.
Jack Hedge, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal with DesignGroup in
Columbus, Ohio. He is also chair of the AIA Columbus COTE and
served as COTE's representative to Solar 2007.
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