Solar United Neighbors is hosting a series of virtual sessions about solar energy during the month of October. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to go solar from real solar homeowners, speak with nationally acclaimed solar experts and connect with fellow solar supporters from around the country.

“Solar is resilient and so are solar supporters,” said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors executive director. “While we’d love to gather in person, we’re thrilled by the interest from solar supporters to come together virtually to learn, share stores, and celebrate solar energy.”

SUNtober begins September 28 with the National Solar Tour. Co-hosted with the American Solar Energy Society and Generation 180, the National Solar Tour brings together hundreds of solar home and business owners, schools, community organizations, farms and more. Now in its 25th year, the tour is the nation’s largest renewable energy event.

“I really think the virtual tour will turn out to be a great way to conduct the tour by increasing participation and giving people access to solar solutions all over the country, not just their own neighborhoods.” said Paul Lauenstein, a tour host.

SUNtober continues the following week with the first ever National Solar Congress. The Congress will bring together solar supporters from across the country for three weeks of virtual education sessions. These sessions will cover a variety of topics important to solar supporters, including what to know when going solar, powering an electric vehicle with solar energy and how solar makes our energy system more fair.

The Congress will also host the first-ever Solar Ignite competition. This will be a rapid-fire dive into the frontlines of some of the latest technological and policy developments and how communities are using these to create a more democratic, clean, local energy system. Attendees will see real, tangible ways in which these new developments are improving lives — and be inspired to ignite similar projects in their communities.

Solar Congress attendees will be able to vote for their favorite presentation and the winner will receive $5,000 dollars and the honorable mention will receive $1,000. Solar United Neighbors is still accepting submissions. Those interested in presenting can send an email to: getinvolved@solarunitedneighbors.org. The email should include a short, 3-to-4 sentence paragraph explaining the project or initiative presenters wish to highlight.

Register here for the National Solar Tour and the National Solar Congress.

News item from Solar United Neighbors