User:Nicjones2/DRAFT

Solar San Antonio

History
Solar San Antonio is a non-profit 501(c)(3) advocacy and resource center for renewable and sustainable energy applications sponsored City Public Service, the city of San Antonio, Bexar County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2000, with $90,000 in pledged annual funding from CPS Energy, William Sinkin decided to start Solar San Antonio with a focus on solar hot-water systems.

Through community education and outreach, they strive to decrease energy costs and improve the quality of life in San Antonio and South Texas. They actively encourage the widespread use of solar and other renewable and sustainable energy sources informing the community about benefits to the regional economy, environment and human health, as well as supporting public policies that advance this possibility.

By providing leadership in renewable energy, we are able to offer information and networking opportunities to the public, to public officials and to the business community. We connect solar energy suppliers and consumers; organize workshops for architects, engineers and energy managers; act with local, state and federal organizations to support clean energy options. Our programs and events bring these interests together, creating a context to share what’s happening in solar and why it’s important to the future of the community.

Affiliations
Solar San Antonio is an active member of local, state and national sustainable energy advocacy groups including:
 * The Department of Energy Solar America Cities (http://www.energy.gov/)
 * American Solar Energy Society (http://www.ases.org/)
 * Texas Solar Energy Society (http://www.txses.org/)
 * Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (http://www.treia.org/)
 * Texas State Energy Conservation Office (http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/)
 * USGBC Central Texas Balcones Heights Chapter (http://www.usgbc-centraltexas.org/)
 * Build San Antonio Green (http://www.buildsagreen.org/)

Awards
Solar San Antonio has been recognized for their work in the community with many awards and distinctions including:
 * 2010 San Antonio Business Journal Going Green Award - Green Marketing Campaign
 * 2010 Best nonprofit in San Antonio Current Reader’s Choice Awards
 * 2010 Executive Director, Lanny Sinkin, wins San Antonio Current Best Activist/Watchdog in Reader’s Choice Awards
 * 2010 Finalist in the Business Media Public Relations (#BMPR) Awards
 * 2009 Top 100 for USA TODAY #AmericaWants advertisement
 * 2009 Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter Special Service Award for Lanny Sinkin & Bill Sinkin
 * 2009 American Solar Energy Society Solar Hero Award for Bill Sinkin
 * 2009 Founder & Chairman, Bill Sinkin, wins San Antonio Business Journal “Going Green Award”
 * 2008 U.S Department of Energy designates San Antonio as a Solar America City
 * 2003 U.S. Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs True Champion Award
 * 2002 City Public Service Shining Star Award
 * 2001 Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) Member of the Year Award