The prestigious awards will be presented during IREC's October meeting

May 6, 2013. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is reaching out across the U.S. for nominations to recognize the nation's Best of 2013 - Innovation, Ingenuity, Inspiration in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The prestigious awards will be presented during IREC's October meeting, on the floor of Solar Power International in Chicago, with more than 10,000 expected participants.

Strong national competition will set apart the Best of 2013 in several categories, and acknowledgment of winners will be widespread. IREC has annually recognized outstanding innovation for 20 years. The new i-Awards raise the prestige and national recognition of the awards and broaden categories for nominations.

"IREC has created the new i-Awards to honor the nation's most innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency people, projects and programs," says Ken Jurman, who chairs the Awards Committee for IREC. "We look forward to precedent setting competition, and to a national celebration of the winners' innovation, ingenuity and inspiration."

IREC recognizes that there are more innovative projects and inspirational people than ever doing remarkable work in the renewable energy and energy efficiency space. The i-Awards will set apart the Best of 2013. The innovative work of all of the nominated individuals and programs will have made a difference in our lives, increasing the understanding and use of clean energy in our neighborhoods and communities.

"We recognize that in addition to renewable energy, energy efficiency plays a crucial role in achieving a sustainable future," adds IREC President and CEO Jane Weissman. "So for the first time, IREC will recognize programs and initiatives that seek to 'close the divide' between energy efficiency and renewable energy."

Applications are available online. Deadline to apply is July 1, 2013.

2013 National I-Awards Categories

*IREC Certified Clean Energy Instructor/Trainer of the Year: honoring excellence in clean energy education and training for individuals holding the IREC Credential for Instructor Certification.

*IREC Accredited Clean Energy Training Program of the Year: honoring excellence in clean energy training programs holding the IREC Credential for Accredited Training Programs

*Community Renewable Project of the Year: honoring innovative community projects enabling many individuals to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy from a single or aggregated project.

*State & Local Government Initiative of the Year: recognizing innovative state or local government policies, programs, regulations, legislation, that advance the sustainable growth of the clean energy infrastructure.

*Closing the Divide Project of the Year: celebrating innovative projects that recognize the fundamental link between energy efficiency and renewable energy that can lead us down the path to our clean, sustainable energy future

IREC's National Innovation Awards will be presented in conjunction with IREC's Annual Meeting at the 2013 Solar Power International, October 21-23, atMcCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois. Winners will be notified prior to the event.

For more information contact Ken Jurman at ken.jurman@dmme.virginia.gov

About IREC

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Since 1982, IREC's programs and policies have lead to easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid; fair credit for renewable energy produced; best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industry; and quality assessment for the growing clean energy workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs.