Boulder – October 12, 2026 -- The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Board of Directors has named six recipients of its inaugural host-city recognition awards, honoring clean energy leadership in Austin and Travis County, Texas.
Awards to be presented October 19 at the Palmer Events Center
The honorees will receive their awards at the SOLAR 2026 opening reception on Monday, October 19, at 6 p.m. at the Palmer Events Center in Austin. SOLAR 2026 runs October 19–21 at the same venue and is expected to bring together clean energy professionals, researchers, educators, policymakers and advocates.
Utility, city, county and state officials make up the 2026 honoree list
- Stuart Reilly, Austin Energy: ASES Municipal Utility Clean Energy Implementation Award
- Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin: ASES Host City Clean Energy Leadership Award
- Sarah Eckhardt, Texas State Senator: ASES Clean Energy Policy Leadership Award
- Kecia Prince, Strategic Housing Finance Corporation of Travis County: ASES Energy Equity and Community Impact Award
- Darien Clary, Austin ISD: ASES Clean Energy Innovation and Education Award
- Brigid Shea, Travis County Commissioner: ASES Host County Renewable Energy Leadership Award
ASES board chair ties recognition to local delivery
ASES Board Chair Karen Soares said the honorees show how local leadership, public policy, education, equity and effective programs can "turn clean energy goals into measurable progress." The categories span municipal utility implementation, state policy, housing finance, school-district education and county-level renewable energy leadership.