A group of local experts spoke on a panel at the Clinton School last Wednesday about the opportunities for solar energy in Arkansas.
Moderated by Clinton School alum J.D. Lowery, who serves as renewable energy program manager at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the panel included John Smirnow, vice president of trade and competitiveness for the Solar Energy Industries Association, Joe Thomas, president and CEO of MAGE Solar USA and Douglas Hutching, CEO of Silicon Solar Solutions in Rogers, Ark.
Thomas, Smirnow and Hutchings spoke briefly about what each of their organizations is doing to promote solar energy and more broadly about what the future of solar use looks like here in Arkansas.
Thomas was quick to point out that solar is not an emergent technology as many people think but is rather a very mainstream technology. According to statistics, Arkansas is one of the six best states in the country for solar energy opportunities.
Looking forward, Hutchings touched on the importance of technologies that don’t try to recreate what already exists but rather continue pushing forward.
Smirnow stressed the importance of educating people on a rules-based system regarding the use of solar energy.
All three panelists agreed that solar is not the answer to all of the state’s energy needs but is going to play an important role in the future of not only the country but the world.
The panelists also agreed that there needs to be some form of commitment to solar energy, and the United States needs to focus on the scale at which solar can be pursued.
This post was written by Clinton School student Veena Rangaswami (’13).
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