Sun Day
Sun Day, established on May 3, 1978, emerged during a pivotal time in U.S. history when energy demands were rising, and reliance on fossil fuels was being reevaluated. This day was part of a broader initiative to highlight the potential of solar energy as a sustainable alternative in light of the 1973 oil embargo, which underscored the vulnerabilities of traditional energy sources. The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) played a crucial role in promoting solar energy awareness and organized various informative activities leading up to Sun Day, including public displays and a nationwide slide show.
On Sun Day, President Jimmy Carter emphasized the necessity for the federal government to support solar energy development, advocating for reduced costs in solar technologies to facilitate wider adoption. His administration allocated additional funding for solar research and demonstration projects, reflecting a commitment to transitioning to renewable energy sources. Following the President's address, numerous public forums took place, gathering contributions from various stakeholders, including government officials and industry representatives. These discussions aimed to shape national solar energy policies and mobilize citizen engagement in the pursuit of a more sustainable energy future.
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Sun Day
The Event: Day set aside by the U.S. government to increase awareness of solar energy and encourage the development of solar technologies
Date: May 3, 1978
Sun Day was successful in that it helped policy makers gather input for the development of national solar energy policies and raised awareness of the benefits of solar power, but progress in solar technologies continued at a relatively slow pace after the event, and the United States continued to be heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
During the 1960’s and 1970’s expanding demands for energy, increasing concerns regarding environmental quality, and limited domestic capacity to meet energy demands with traditional fossil fuels brought many Americans to the realization that the United States needed to place a higher priority on renewable sources of energy, particularly solar energy. The urgency of the problem was dramatically impressed upon the leadership of the nation with the Middle East oil embargo in 1973. It became clear to the American public that while the oil embargo would eventually pass, the nation, and even the world, could never again operate under the assumption that the traditional dependence on fossil fuels and other existing sources of energy could continue.
The need for a comprehensive program aimed at developing solar energy as a viable contributor to the future energy supply in the United States led to the creation of the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in Denver, Colorado, in 1977 and the designation of May 3, 1978, as Sun Day. Solar energy awareness and development were emphasized throughout the week of May 1 through May 7, 1978. SERI provided technical support to the federal Sun Day Committee in its efforts to generate large volumes of information on solar energy for the public. A SERI-produced slide show on the technology and potential of solar energy was distributed throughout the nation to be shown at regular intervals in larger cities during the week. At the U.S. Customs House in Bowling Green, New York, solar energy displays were open to public view from May 3 to May 7.
On Sun Day, President Jimmy Carter visited SERI and gave an address on the future of solar energy in the United States in which he requested that every federal government agency consider more ways to help solar energy become a part of everyday American life. Carter pointed out the importance of developing renewable and essentially inexhaustible sources of energy in the future, particularly placing new emphasis on the importance of solar energy in the country’s coming energy transition. He concluded that the costs associated with solar power technologies must be reduced so that solar power could be used more widely and would help establish a cap on rising fossil-fuel prices. In addition, Carter stated that he had just provided the U.S. Department of Energy with an additional $100 million for expanded efforts in solar research, development, and demonstration projects.
Following Carter’s Sun Day address, a series of well-attended forums were conducted across the country. Participants included congressional representatives; state and local government officials; representatives of industries, labor organizations, public utilities, and special interest groups; and members of the general public. These public forums identified citizen groups interested in solar energy and provided input for the development of national solar energy policies.
Bibliography
Laird, Frank N. Solar Energy, Technology Policy, and Institutional Values. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Scheer, Hermann. A Solar Manifesto. 2d ed. London: James & James, 2001.