NEW YORK, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Solar One and the New York City Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE) at Polytechnic Institute of New York University present Clean Energy Connections, a year-long live discussion series and online forum for New York City's blossoming cleantech sector.  With this program, clean energy professionals will have a platform for wide-ranging discussion, shared best practices, and new inspiration. This series will bring together professionals, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and students to explore topics such as investment opportunities in wind and solar; energy efficiency in the information age; how biomimicry can advance cleantech; and many more. Clean Energy Connections was developed in partnership with the Energy $mart Communities program of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).  Clean Energy Connections is sponsored by NYSERDA and Con Edison's Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs; Greentech Media is the media sponsor for this series.  

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091027/NY99197LOGO )

The first Clean Energy Connections event, Can NYC have a wind industry? will be held on April 14, 2011 from 7-9pm at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, 44 Charlton Street (at Varick Street), New York, NY, 10014. A networking reception will follow the event.

General admission is $25, and student admission is $10. Advanced registration is required at www.cleanecnyc.org. Additional details below:

Can NYC have a Wind Industry?

Wind is one of the fastest growing energy technologies in the world, and New York State has the potential to install 8,000 MW on land and in its waters. That capacity for new, clean energy is some of the largest in the country, but few NYC-based companies are capitalizing on this opportunity. Join thought leaders and innovators as they discuss and debate what it will take for NYC to a hub of the American wind industry.

Panelists:

• David Bragdon, Director of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
• KC Sahl, NY Project Director for NRG Bluewater Wind
• Jacob Susman, CEO of OWN Wind Energy
• Russell Tencer, CEO of Wind Products, Inc., a recent graduate of the NYC ACRE incubator

Networking reception to follow the discussion.

Solar One is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing energy and environmental awareness and inspiring action through public education and cultural programming. Solar One is the Manhattan and Staten Island contractor for Energy $mart Communities, a program of NYSERDA.

NYC ACRE at NYU-Poly is a cleantech/renewable energy initiative of NYU-Poly, seeded by a four year, $1.5M grant from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) aimed at growing an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, international companies, and innovative local businesses that provide solutions to climate and energy issues while growing the cleantech/renewable energy sector and creating jobs in NYC.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.  NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs.  A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

Greentech Media delivers research and analysis in the business-to-business greentech market. Using an integrated platform, we produce high quality products, whether it is industry news, market research or networking events. GTM Research, the research arm of the company, produces in-depth market reports and is the publisher of PV News, a monthly solar market tracker. Greentech Media is headquartered in Boston, MA, with operations in New York, NY, San Francisco, CA and Munich. For more information, visit www.greentechmedia.com.

SOURCE Polytechnic Institute of New York University