SEIA: Solar

Energy
Industries
Association
Literacy as Advocacy
Breyhauna Johnson

SEIAs purpose

Builds astrong solar industry through

advocacy and education

Represents all organizations that promote,

manufacture, install and support the
development of solar energy

Expands markets, removing market barriers,

strengthening the industry and educating the
public on thebenefits of solar energy

SEIA: Research

Provides comprehensive and current

analysis of solar markets and policy

Research reports, white papers, fact

sheets, and highly-regarded staff

Used by government agencies, solar

businesses and consultants to help them
make informed decisions

SEIA: Issues & Policies

Voice of the solar industry, advocating for the protection and expansion of the
U.S. market for all solar technologies

Advocates on behalf of solar energy at the federal level, as well as onstatelevel issues nationwide

Builds coalitions of solar energy professionals and renewable energy

supporters

SEIA: Events

Creates forums to connect solar professionals with their

peers and with key industry leaders

Hosts educational seminars,webinars, networking events

and business-to-business tradeshows

Idea is to expand businesses, exchange ideas, and move

the industry forward

Global Warming

Gradual increase in the average

temperature of the Earth's
atmosphere and its oceans

Permanently changing the

Earths climate

Occurs when CO2 and other air

pollutants collect in the
atmosphere

Solar Vs. Other

Renewables

Solar power is versatile

unlike hydropower and
wind

Wind turbines require

maintenance while solar
panels dont

Solar panels can be

installed in existing,
unused space

How Solar Panels Work

Allows photons, or particles of light, to

knock electrons free from atoms, generating
a flow of electricity

Manufacturers "dope" silicon with other

materials to give photovoltaic cells an
electric field

Metal conductive plates on the sides of the

cell collect the electrons and transfer them
to wires

PV Systems

Effects: Economically

Incentives and tax credits for installing solar

panels

Growth in solar jobs is speeding at a rate ten

times faster than jobs throughout the rest of
the economy

Creates positive economic ripple effects

Local governments collect property and

income taxes which helps support public
services

Effects: Environmentally

The sun delivers more energy to Earth each hour than the
entire human population uses in a year

Derives clean, pure energy from the sun

Reduces dependence on fossil fuels

No greenhouse gas emissions

North Carolinas
Solar Industry

Currently more than188 solar

companiesat work in North
Carolina,employing 6,000 people

In 2015, North Carolinainstalled

1,134 MW of solar electric
capacity, ranking it second
nationally

There is enough solar energy

installed in the state topower
223,000 homes

The Vision

Less reliant on fossil fuels

Increase solar panel installations

Energy based solely on renewable sources

What Can You Do?

Educate yourself on solar energy

Check out SEIA and other useful sites

Get some solar panels

Ask questions!