Save the date to join #SolarChat founder Raina Brett Russo (@EcoOutfitters), president and co-founder of EcoOutfitters.net; Tor Valenza is director of communications for Free Hot Water and is founder of UnthinkSolar (@SolarFred); Zach Axelrod (@sky_innovations), founder of Skyline Innovations; Chris Williams (@topherwilliams), chief marketing officer at HeatSpring; and Peter Mokler (@Sunvelope), director of marketing for Sunvelope Solar, Inc. for our next chat on 6/13/12.

The topic: What's So Hot about Solar Hot Water?

What are the marketing challenges for solar hot water services and how do they differ from solar PV? What are the market trends and opportunities? What should we keep our eye on? Join us in the discussion!

Tor Valenza a.k.a. “Solar Fred” grew up in New York City and has been a solar advocate for over 25 years. He holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and is “fluent in solar,” having taken numerous solar economics and technical courses at the Solar Living Institute and Solar Energy International. After years as a successful writer and marketer in other fields, Valenza finally began putting his humor, communication skills, and solar passion to good use by founding UnThink Solar, a boutique communications and marketing agency devoted exclusively to the solar industry. In addition to his solar marketing work, Valenza/Solar Fred is a leading solar industry blogger on RenewableEnergyWorld.com.

Zach started his career in the energy industry as a wholesale power market analyst at ICF International.  He moved to director of market solutions at GridPoint Inc., an Arlington, VA based smart grid company, where he structured smart grid transactions while building one of the industry’s first comprehensive financial models.  Zach left GridPoint in August 2009 to found Skyline Innovations with the idea of helping small and mid-sized businesses implement clean energy solutions through an easy to understand and implement shared savings model.

In (and out of) his role at HeatSpring, Chris is a clean energy jack-of-all trades. He has installed over 300kW of solar PV systems, tens of residential and commercial solar hot water systems, and 50 tons of geothermal equipment. Chris is an IGSPHA Certified Geothermal Installer and is a NABCEP Certified Solar Installer. He went to Babson College and founded Green Light Distrikt, and consults with small renewable energy companies to streamline their sales and marketing. One of his current clientele is Voltaic Solaire, which sells PV and solar hot water and maintains developing properties, including the 100% electric powered, 50% solar heated building, "The Delta" in Brooklyn, NY.

Peter focuses on new product development and marketing at Sunvelope Solar Inc., which is headquartered in Spark, NV. He boasts extensive experience in architecture, mechanical systems design and creative advertising backgrounds. This combination has been instrumental in identifying potential markets and appropriate products for development to accompany the unique Sunvelope Solar Collector.

#SolarChat welcomes solar and renewable industry experts and consumers who are "solar curious" to discuss relevant issues like solar energy, solar PV, solar hot water, solar pool heating, and related subjects. The Twitter chat provides an opportunity to connect homeowners and qualified installation professionals, to demonstrate the affordability and environmental impact of all types of solar solutions, and to educate consumers on this emerging field. "We believe in the power of solar to change the world," says Russo. "We hope #SolarChat will further advance EcoOutfitters' goal of making solar a reality for every American home and business."

For those new to Twitter, a hashtag (#) is an easy way to find and follow people who are tweeting about a certain topic. #SolarChat has a simple mission: Curious consumers, energy experts, and installation professionals can tune into Twitter at the designated chat time to share advice and resources, weigh in on discussion topics, pose questions or concerns, and work together to advance solar awareness.

#SolarChat is held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST. 

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