CALSEIA names ‘right person’ to presidency in ‘uncertain times’

The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALlSEIA) named Ed Murray, president and CEO of Sacramento, Calif., based Aztec Solar, as its new president on Thursday.

Murray, a long-time CALSEIA member and former treasurer, vowed to protect the gains solar has made in the state and include fighting Climate Change in the organization’s portfolio.

“We will work closely with Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Legislature to make sure we preserve and continue the progress we have made since the California Solar Initiative passed,” Murray said. “We will also focus on the big picture – stopping Climate Change before it completely destroys the planet we inhabit.”

Murray also wants to increase CALSEIA’s membership, strengthen its relationship with battery-storage companies to influence the growth in this increasingly important market segment and enforce strict ethical standards on solar contractors to keep the industry’s image pristine.

“We must keep a watchful eye on the ethics and capabilities of companies that are installing solar energy,” said Murray, who also serves as the chair of the CALSEIA Ethics Committee. “Solar companies must conduct business and promote their products and services in a manner that contributes to the professional advancement  and reputation of the solar industry.”

With CALSEIA’s position as the largest state-level industry advocacy organization in the nation’s leading solar state, its influence reaches far beyond California’s borders. Solar legislation passed in California often serves as a model for legislation in other states, so being the president of CALSEIA isn’t an insignificant responsibility. But Past President of CALSEIA Les Nelson, who has worked with Murray for more than 30 years, is confident he’s the perfect person for the job.

“After working closely with Ed on all manner of solar-related topics, projects and programs since the mid-1980s, I can say that he is one of the most experienced solar professionals in the United States,” Nelson said. “He’s the right person to lead CALSEIA in the uncertain times ahead.”