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What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

  • 1.  What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 10-02-2022 06:40 PM
    We are interested in expanding and diversifying the Solar Today readership. I would like to ask this knowledgeable community for advice.

    ------------------------------
    Kat Friedrich
    Editor in Chief
    ASES
    kfriedrich@ases.org
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 10-03-2022 10:09 AM
    Great question Kat! Perhaps get in hands of AIA (American Institute of Architects), NSPE (National Socitety of Professional Engineers,) ASHRAE etc.?  Ask to recirculate to members (or link in their news) one-time complimentary issue of Solar Today (if logistics allow that) so we don't dilute the Solar Today being an ASES member benefit?

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    Debbie Coleman
    Sun Plans
    debra28@sunplans.com
    https://www.sunplans.com
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  • 3.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Posted 10-03-2022 02:44 PM
    I believe that solar thermal, hot water and hot air, systems as well as passive building design should receive as much focus as solar electric does.  Solar thermal and passive solar design still is very cost effective, though solar electric systems have had a radical, factor 4 drop in price.  My house could be net zero energy with a 5 kW solar electric system, because I have a couple of 4'x9' flat plate solar hot water system, and a solar hot air system upstairs, as well as passive solar gain in my large super insulated home.  Using conventional building practices probably twice the amount of solar would be required.  Bucky Fuller's

    https://quotefancy.com/quote/990800/R-Buckminster-Fuller-To-do-more-and-more-with-less-and-less-until-eventually-you-can-do

    To do more and more with less and less until eventually you can do everything with nothing." - R. Buckminster



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    Michael Mayhew
    President, Sr. Energy Engineer
    Heliotropic Technologies
    coolsolarguy@yahoo.com
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  • 4.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Posted 10-04-2022 10:49 AM

    I intended to write 4'x8' flat plate hot water collectors.

     

     

    Sent from Mail for Windows

     






  • 5.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Posted 10-05-2022 03:34 AM
    There are numerous professionals and their associations that fit well into our general and specific conversations.  I suggest that ASES reach out to these associations via some professional networking to expand the membership.  A few examples: Commissioning Agents (CxA), Building Automation System programmers and operators (BAS), Electrical Engineers (EE), Mechanical Engineers (ME), & Architects.  This would require a major campaign.  One option is to offer reciprocity membership in ASES to the members of these other associations.... and there are scores of them.

    ------------------------------
    [Dennis] [Garde AIA, LEED AP]
    [OMTC, NEC Ankara, Turkey]
    [US Dept. of State / OBO]
    [Savannah] [GA]
    [Dennis.Garde@gmail.com]
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Posted 10-06-2022 11:13 AM
    If you would like my preferred list of engineering alphabet societies, the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is a pretty good fit as they cover everything from building envelope, HVAC, lighting and all energy systems. AEE's focus is on commercial & institutional facilities, but I assume that all of the members live in homes.  ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air conditioning Engineers, also has a solar division and works jointly with IES the Illuminating Engineering Society for developing commercial & residential building energy codes.  These are few of my favorite allies.

    ------------------------------
    Michael Mayhew
    President, Sr. Energy Engineer
    Heliotropic Technologies
    coolsolarguy@yahoo.com
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 10-07-2022 01:33 AM
    develop a graphic for mid school and hi school- varying complexity

    youth, YOUTH, YOUTH!!!! longer payoff, more momentum for ASES and the planet. (Carbon neutral by 2030, yeah, i've got a rowboat for anyone who believes that crap!)

    life membership for high school(purchased by me)...yr staff approved approx five yrs ago and i lost momentum...possibly because the main library (next door) would not allow periodical shelf space for Solar Today... (MAY be able to get shelf space in high school library, though)..Accessions called it a trade magazine....when i objected  to the Head Of Libraries(newly installed), they supported their staff and denied my request

    ASES life membership roll should include high schools

    i renewed my initiative this Spring w/ head of Science of same high school and he did not answer my email. Looks like i will have to approach Principal and even the Mayor of Cambridge , MA

    Solar is v important and as an elder (82, metro Boston), i am not at all optimistic about this capitalist system adjusting to climate challenge in time to limit more catastrophes..

    p.s. i remember a rep from GM visiting my grammar school encouraging us to design the body of the next car. what a slick indoctrination! but also smart as they had our attention. This technique is needed for solar, wind, tide, geothermal.

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    Bob Bowes
    b.bowes@verizon.net
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  • 8.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 10-07-2022 12:12 PM
    Edited by Kat Friedrich 10-07-2022 12:23 PM

    I really appreciate all of these responses. Keep them coming! 

    Bob, what would these two potential graphics include?

    Are you thinking that ASES should introduce a life membership for high school students as a membership category?

    Do you think that high school outreach might involve asking students to participate in a design activity? Maybe people from our divisions would be interested in that. 

    I am glad you have looked into having Solar Today at your library. I would encourage other people on this forum to do the same. More library distribution of the magazine would be excellent. I will go and request it at the library here in Madison, Wisconsin today.

    Debbie, Michael and Dennis, I am talking with Ella Nielsen, our membership and engagement manager, about developing more relationships with associations that are similar to what we have with credit unions. We could share a sample low-res PDF of Solar Today with association members when we develop relationships with their organizations. 

    Michael, we are looking at some story ideas on passive solar for later in 2023, but are still deciding where they might fit. I will add your comment about solar thermal to our ideas list. Thank you for mentioning these ideas. 

    Best regards,

    Kat



    ------------------------------
    Kat Friedrich
    Editor in Chief
    ASES
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 10-07-2022 03:02 PM
    Hi Kat, 

    1. graphics could include a narrative/plot featuring communities who are off grid to develop solar power, small wind turbines, etc 

    2. or relating nonfiction examples of success in such an environment

     Bob






  • 10.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 10-10-2022 09:25 AM
    Hi Bob,

    I love the graphic idea. Thanks so much for sharing! I will look into this further and start a draft.

    All the best,
    Ella

    ------------------------------
    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Manager
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
    enielsen@ases.org
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Posted 10-08-2022 03:30 AM
    Kat, good on-ya, you have managed to put some fresh enthusiasm into the conversation.  And looking at the challenges from a different perspective is always a positive.  May I add to the consciousness with this.

    Bob, I think you cherish the old libraries as much as me.  Some years ago I dropped off years of publications (Solar, AIA, Woodworking, etc.) to a library system in Arlington Heights, Illinois - it was a car trunk full.  They promised to catalog and create a reference for patrons who could view the magazines upon request.  I thought this was a great option.  If we expect our libraries to carry these publications then we need to ask the library staff to find such.  If they believe there is a demand then they will carry technical and trade publications.  Send our members to their local library and ask the question, "what do you have on solar or renewable energy?"  The results could be enlightening.

    The library card catalog has been replaced with computer stations that search in-house for "the book I want."  Most libraries also have computers that link to the internet.  Giving library systems access to ASES on line is another avenue for growth.

    One other professional association that is already of kindred spirit, the USGBC and all the folks that pursue LEED.  This is one organization that combines all the professional disciplines and participants in the built environment from designer to material supplier.  I cannot think of a larger target more in keeping with our principles.

    Good Luck Kat...

    ------------------------------
    [Dennis] [Garde AIA, LEED AP]
    [OMTC, NEC Ankara, Turkey]
    [US Dept. of State / OBO]
    [Savannah] [GA]
    [Dennis.Garde@gmail.com]
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 10-03-2022 05:33 PM
    Kat and others
    I have been very pleased with the quality and focus of articles and features in ST in the past few years. In my view it pivoted a few years ago to address interests of professionals more than lay people which I think is right.  But you know your membership better than I do. It's one of the reasons I am a member. While Solar Thermal and passive solar are certainly useful components to a solar economy, let's face it, the policy momentum, technology, and public awareness is driven by PV electricity. An occasional article on solar thermal or passive would be justified in my view.

    Here are two ideas.
    1. Have members donate a subscription to their local public library.  In-person viewing at libraries may be down but it could be one way to increase public exposure.
    2. Have installers provide a one year sub to each homeowner that they sign up.

    Steve

    ------------------------------
    Steven Hegedus
    Professor and Senior Scientist
    University of Delaware
    Newark Delaware
    ssh@udel.edu
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  • 13.  RE: What should we do to reach out to new potential readers?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 10-07-2022 12:23 PM

    Hi Steve,

    It's good to hear you like the direction the magazine has been going in recent years.

    Developing partnerships with installers is something we have not really explored, as far as I know. That would depend on whether we want to focus on homeowners, as you mentioned. We are focusing on people in the industry (and mainly in the United States) at this time. However, I also want to explore intersecting professional interests because that helps the industry diversify and develops potential collaborations. 

    There are people we could also reach out to who are enthusiastic about solar but are not necessarily in the industry. These might include homeowners. They would be people who want to know what the industry is doing but are not necessarily working in it. 

    It is accurate that PV electricity is in the spotlight. In previous issues of Solar Today, we have talked about electrification. PV policy is particularly of interest. I would like to source more information about conferences and research. 

    Best regards,

    Kat



    ------------------------------
    Kat Friedrich
    Editor in Chief
    ASES
    katherineafriedrich@gmail.com
    ------------------------------