The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and Hannah Solar, LLC, one of the largest solar companies in Georgia, announced today that TAG Smart Energy Society has named Peter Marte, Hannah Solar’s founder and CEO, Georgia’s “2014 Smart Energy Professional of the Year.” The annual dinner and awards celebration was held on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

“I am truly honored to accept this award tonight, but I know it would not be possible without the tireless efforts from our team at Hannah Solar,” said Marte, “I’d also like to thank the Public Service Commission and Georgia Power for having the foresight to establish programs that led to the incredible solar growth in our state.”

Marte has been very active on the policy side of the industry as vice-chair of the Georgia chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) which has built consensus and support for solar within the state by working with many stakeholders, including the Public Service Commission, local utilities, and the legislature. This work has been a team initiative with competitors, suppliers, and clients coming together, the result being solar adoption growing from less than 500KW (kilowatts) in 2009 to over 840 MW (megawatts) being approved for the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative to be built by 2016. The solar industry in the state now exceeds $300 million annually and Hannah Solar has grown to become the largest solar integrator in the region, as well as being the largest integrator of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Equipment. Coupling the synergies between the two rapidly growing clean energy industries is a focus of Peter's and the leadership team at Hannah Solar.

The winners were selected from a qualified group of nominee applications. Each nomination was reviewed by a selection committee comprised of TAG Marketing board members and a panel of Georgia technology executives. Nominations were evaluated based on each individual’s contributions to his or her organization’s objectives and leadership; the organization’s impact on innovation; and the individual’s leadership in mentoring those in technology marketing. Winners were then interviewed and chosen by a panel of judges.