Utility Solar Awards Get New Name Aimed at Boosting Public Recognition of Sector

WASHINGTON --The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has opened nominations for its annual Solar Power Player Awards -- formerly the Utility Solar Awards -- to be announced at Solar Power International (SPI) in September in Anaheim.

The educational nonprofit is seeking nominations representing achievement and innovation by utilities and their industry partners in bringing solar energy online. SEPA will name award winners in five categories:

· Investor-owned utility

· Public or municipal utility

· Electric cooperative

· Innovative solar partner

· Individual Solar Champion (formerly CEO of the Year)

The award winners will be honored at a special event at SPI, where recognition will also be given to utilities that made SEPA's Top 10 lists for putting the most new solar online in 2014. A high-profile media campaign is planned.

The deadline for submissions is April 24, and individual companies or people may nominate themselves. Eligibility information, nomination forms and profiles of last year's winners are available here.

"We wanted to raise the bar and visibility for our annual awards to raise public recognition of the leadership and innovation utilities in the United States are bringing to the solar space," said Julia Hamm, SEPA President and CEO, talking about the name change. "Utility-scale projects represented more than half of the new megawatts of solar capacity that came online last year, and the sector is expected to continue to drive the market in 2015."

"We also want to put a spotlight on the individuals who have become catalysts for progress in solar and utility markets, as well as on the solar companies and other organizations that are working in notable and innovative business partnerships with utilities," Hamm said. "They are setting the pace and providing models for the whole industry."

About SEPA: The Solar Electric Power Association is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar energy into their portfolios for the benefit of electric utilities, the solar industry and the general public. We help our members make smart solar decisions by providing unbiased research, educational events and industry networking opportunities.