Solar energy drew serious institutional support as early as the mid-1950s

Evidence

In 1955, a group of scientists, engineers, and business leaders formed the Association for Applied Solar Energy, and the association soon teamed with the Stanford Research Institute and the University of Arizona to sponsor a conference that attracted 900 registrants from 37 countries. The association then began to publish a solar energy journal. — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside, 223

Categorization

• CANDY: A 900-registrant, 37-country solar conference in 1955 is a surprising counter to the assumption solar was fringe until the 1970s — great trivia.
• XREF: connects to: Mass media and federal agencies promoted solar-oriented regional design after 1949 — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside:…, 241; Early solar advocates’ humanitarian arguments failed to attract corporate or state backing — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside:…, 226

Broader Connections

• Mass media and federal agencies promoted solar-oriented regional design after 1949 #corroborates (0.85) — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside, 241