Host City Inaugural awards recognize leadership in clean energy policy, implementation, equity, education, and innovation across Austin, TX, and Travis County

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Board of Directors today announced six recipients of its inaugural host-city recognition awards, honoring clean energy leadership across Austin and the surrounding region. The awards will be presented at the SOLAR 2026 opening reception on Monday, October 19, at 6 p.m. at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas.

“Every ASES SOLAR conference brings us into a community that is shaping the energy transition in its own way,” said Karen Soares, chair of the ASES Board of Directors. “These honorees demonstrate how local leadership, public policy, education, equity and effective programs can turn clean energy goals into measurable progress. We are proud to recognize their contributions to Austin and Travis County and to celebrate their work with the ASES community.”

The 2026 ASES Board-recognized honorees are:

• Stuart Reilly, Austin Energy, recipient of the ASES Municipal Utility Clean Energy Implementation Award
• Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin, recipient of the ASES Host City Clean Energy Leadership Award
• Sarah Eckhardt, Texas State Senator, recipient of the ASES Clean Energy Policy Leadership Award
• Kecia Prince, Strategic Housing Finance Corporation of Travis County, recipient of the ASES Energy Equity and Community Impact Award
• Darien Clary, Austin ISD, recipient of the ASES Clean Energy Innovation and Education Award
• Brigid Shea, Travis County Commissioner, recipient of the ASES Host County Renewable Energy Leadership Award

SOLAR 2026 will take place October 19–21 at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, bringing together clean energy professionals, researchers, educators, policymakers and advocates. Register and view the full program at ases.org/conference.

About ASES: The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s longest-serving solar energy advocacy organization. ASES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing sustainable living and a 100% clean energy future through solar energy education, research, workforce development and community-based deployment. Guided by justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, ASES connects science, industry, policy and the public through Solar Today magazine, the e-newsletter Solar@Work, Webinars, the ASES National Solar Conference, and the ASES National Solar Tour. Learn more at ases.org.

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SOURCE American Solar Energy Society