This September, communities across Colorado will come together to celebrate Sun Day.

Sun Day is a global day of action on September 21, 2025, celebrating the power of clean energy. In some communities, people are organizing parades of EVs or e-bikes; across the world people are making sure that homes with solar panels light a green light. Together, we'll make the sun rise on a clean energy future.

CRES and its chapters are proud to participate in Sun Day's inaugural year along so many other passionate nonprofits, companies, and individuals.  Check out some of the Sun Day 2025 events we're participating in below, along with a current list of all Sun Day events happening in Colorado. You can find a full list of Sun Day events happening around the world here.

Don't see any events in your area? Host your own event and show us how you celebrate clean energy! For example, you might host an EV test drive event or showcase local solar projects. Communities worldwise are celebrating with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, documentary viewings, green tours, informational sessions, solar picnics (think solar cookers), and more! The important thing is that we all mobilize and get the word out!

As the solar industry grew, at campuses in Carbondale, CO, Paonia, and online, SEI trained over 100,000 people who flocked from across the country and around the world to train at their unique outdoor workshop with a stunning view of local peaks.

Johnny’s progressive ideals contributed to the organization's remarkable success: wholehearted support of anyone interested in solar and sustainable practices, a deep belief in social and energy justice, and a love for connecting people of like mind and spirit, bringing them together in many professional and social venues.

While much of SEI’s curriculum, in person and online, is structured to provide training and employment in the domestic PV industry, Johnny's first passion, as embodied in SEI's last name, was solar in developing countries.  

Feeling solar technology and sustainable practices offered the largest gains for people without reliable access to electricity, Johnny dedicated a large part of his life and energy to programs supporting solar NGOs around the world. He forged effective relationships in Tanzania, oversaw SEI’s expansion in Central America, and consulted on projects on almost every continent. He was also a key advisor to We Care Solar, which places small PV systems in overseas rural maternity clinics, and We Share Solar, locating the same systems in rural schools. 

Recognizing the urgent needs of underserved Native Americans, Johnny collaborated with Native Energy, a Navajo/Dine owned nonprofit in Arizona, the Fort Collins based Trees, Water and People, and Red Cloud Renewables, of Pine Ridge, SD. Johnny and Henry Red Cloud had a long and productive collaboration called T4: Tribal Train The Trainers, enabling Native Americans to establish their own energy and economic independence. 

As a long time member of CRES, ASES, and ISES, Johnny was always a lively presence and participant in various conferences- leading sessions, staffing the SEI booth at trade shows, and bringing his infectious humor and positivity to every public and private event.

In the last year, battling a rare form of bone marrow cancer, Johnny stepped up his international solar advocacy, helping SEI enlarge its worldwide solar and sustainability program, now called the "Johnny Weiss Solar Energy Access for All Initiative". Those courses will be free on SEI's website to enable broad access to appropriate technology for anyone wishing to solarize their home or village, and include expert lectures on resources such as micro hydro and small wind, among other sustainable practices appropriate to developing countries. 

Johnny is survived by his two brothers, Abbott and Robert in Massachusetts; sons Zach and Alex; and former wife Caryn McVoy, all of Paonia. A joyous celebration of his life was held on August 16 at the SEI campus by over 200 of his friends, colleagues, and students to offer a final goodbye and thanks.

Most importantly, Johnny's spirit survives every day in the meaningful courses and inspiration of students, trainers, and staff of Solar Energy International, and all who came in contact with his indefatigable energy and perpetual optimism that renewable energy and sustainable practices can improve human lives around the world. He left a unique and wonderful legacy to the solar industry and will be greatly missed.

~Dave Bowden
CRES 2004 President

C-PACE enables owners of eligible commercial and industrial buildings to finance up to 100% of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation eligible improvements. Financing is provided by private capital providers at competitive rates with repayment terms up to 25 years.
C-PACE long-term financing enables a compelling opportunity for the building owner:

• Energy costs: Decreased
• Building cash flow: Increased
• Technical projections/Financial projections: Confirmed by an independent 3rd party
  
  

SPEAKER BIO:
Tracy Phillips is the Director of the Colorado C-PACE Program, and is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Management Professional, Certified Measurement and Verification Professional, and holds a Master’s Degree in Physics. His 22 years of experience includes energy audits, recommissioning, measurement and verification, master planning, sustainable design assistance, and third-party technical reviews. He is currently serving as the Chair of the IPMVP Committee and is the former Technical Director of GBCI’s Investor Confidence Project.

EVENT DETAILS:
Parking is available in Lot 556
The West Entrance Circle Lot (550) is pay-by-hour at all times!

6:30 Arrive, Light refreshments
7:00 Announcements, followed by the presentation
8:15 Questions, networking, wrap-up, and clean-up

During the Announcements portion of the evening, we certainly encourage you to share info on upcoming events and/or job postings related to your organization or other organizations. If you have something you want to share with the group, and if you want that info posted on our Announcement slides, please send the info via email to bcres@cres-energy.org.
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The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) is dedicated to the advancement of all forms of renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE), and their synergy with sustainability and economic development.