Celebrating the life of Paul Notari

​It is with both sadness and gratitude that the CRES community bids farewell to Paul Notari, who co-founded CRES along with Ron Larson in 1996. In addition to being instrumental in the creation of CRES, Paul managed the CRES newsletter and communications through 2010, helping spread the word on events and renewable energy and sparking support for our early policy initiatives.
 
Before CRES, Paul served as the Director of the Technical Information Branch for the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) until his retirement in 1992. SERI eventually transformed into the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) we know today. Paul’s accomplishments included the creation of the Solar Technical Information Program (STIP) as well as publishing textbooks and technical documents on solar, wind, biofuels, and other renewable and efficiency technologies that helped spur the clean energy transition. He also testified in support of renewable energy funding to Congress and met with many dignitaries in the US and internationally in support of renewable energy. He also served on the board of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES,) serving as Chair of the board and proving instrumental in the launching of ASES’s SOLAR TODAY magazine.

​It was at that time that Larry Sherwood, the new Executive Director of ASES, first met Paul. Larry remarked how Paul's enthusiastic support was “a big reason that ASES survived and thrived during those lean years….In my later years at ASES, Paul and Ron Larson approached me about creating an ASES chapter in Colorado. We worked together to put the structure in place that led to the creation of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society. As with his ASES work, Paul dived in and worked with others to create a successful CRES”
 
Dave Bowden shares, “Paul sat down for a video interview with me in April 2011 for our "CRES: Fifteen Years of Empowering Leadership” documentary. As our conversation evolved, I became more and more impressed by his deep and long commitment to clean energy. He deserves enormous credit for his countless hours of volunteer time as the publisher and writer of CRES News, which was a key element in forging a cohesive membership and successful events over the years"
Other former CRES colleagues shared Paul’s dedication to improving the world around him and his wonderful personality. Phil von Hake recalls Paul running the “Weighty Issues Palaver Society (WIPS)” lunches and their importance of bringing people together to share thoughts and ideas. Doug Seiter cherishes “the many memories, his brilliance, his quick wit, and his delightful laugh. Paul left a worthy legacy.”
 
Paul was a true engine of change for the renewable energy movement. He helped connect, inspire, and give voice to the many incredible people that CRES has been blessed to have involved in our mission.
We are truly grateful.
Memorials may be sent to an organization of your choice or to the following in Memory of Paul Celestino Notari:

Paul C. Notari Research Grant in Environmental Studies Futures Initiative at The Graduate Center-City University of New York (CUNY)
https://www.gc.cuny.edu/giving/make-donation/futures-initiative Designation (pull-down menu selection: Paul C. Notari Research Fund)

Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) - https://www.cres-energy.org/donate.html

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) - https://ases.site-ym.com/donations/