RE+ Events – Solar Power Summit Jan 18-19- California

About Community Solar Power Summit
Community solar is one of the fastest growing sectors in the clean energy economy. In partnership with the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) and RE+ Events (formerly Solar Power Events), the Community Solar Power Summit brings together leading community solar businesses, utilities, non-profits, and policymakers for an exclusive two day event — featuring in-depth conversations with national community solar thought leaders from CCSA, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), sessions on current trends and policies, networking opportunities, and solution providers.

Community Solar Power Summit 2023 is presented in coordination with the National Community Solar Partnership, whose 2023 Annual Summit will be co-located at the Bahia Resort Hotel, taking place on the afternoon of January 19th.

Wednesday, January 18 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Registration Open

8:00 am – 9:00 am Networking Breakfast

9:00 am – 9:30 am Community Solar Power Summit Opening Remarks

Panelists:
Jeff Cramer, President & CEO, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)
Bruce Stewart, CEO, Perch Energy

9:30 am – 10:30 am Meeting the Moment: What is the Future of Community Solar?

Hear the vision for community solar by industry leaders. How big can we scale and how do we get there? Learn what impact the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will have, what’s possible for the industry in the next 10 years, and how the customer and equity in access must tie it all together.

Moderator:
Jeff Cramer, President & CEO, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Kiran Bhatraju, CEO & Founder, Arcadia
Myles Fish, VP of Business Development, Perch Energy
Tom Hunt, CEO, Pivot Energy
Sandhya Murali, COO, Solstice
Gustavo Monteiro, CEO for DG, EDPR

10:30 am – 11:00 am Networking Break

11:00 am – 12:00 pm Building Blocks of a Successful Market: Lessons Learned from Legislation and Implementation

What are the key ingredients of a successful community solar program? Learn from those who have discovered, from experience, the dos and don’ts of designing and implementing legislation to create successful programs and avoid program failures.

Moderator:
Matthew Hargarten, Vice President, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Jeff Ackermann, Sr. Policy Advisor, Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University
Kelly V. Friend, VP of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Nexamp
Mike Judge, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)
Arthur O’Donnell, Chief Correspondent, The Energy Overseer

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm Networking Lunch sponsored by

1:15 pm – 1:30 pm Keynote Address by California Assembly member Christopher M. Ward

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Unlocking Community Solar in California: Implementation of AB 2316

Learn about the huge market potential in California created from AB2316 and next steps. Join us for a conversation exploring the pieces required for a successful program as well as the pitfalls to avoid in implementation.

Moderator:
Derek Chernow, Western Policy Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Susannah Churchill, Western Regional Director, Solar Landscape
Joe Henri, Senior VP of Policy, Dimension Energy
Angela Navarro, Head of State Regulatory Affairs, Arcadia
Rick Umoff, Senior Director & Counsel, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Energy Communities and Community Solar

How can we all ensure that quality and community-driven programs also provide equitable energy opportunities? Join us for a discssuion around the importance of focusing on LMI implementation and community focus as well as billing and the benefits of rooftop community solar in EJCs.

Moderator:
Anna Balzer, Solar Community Engagement Coordinator, National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP)

Panelists:
Sarah Moon, Senior Director ‑ Community Solar, DSD Renewables
Juan Parra, Director of Community Engagement, Nexamp
Kim Shields, Director of Energy Assistance and Solar Programs, Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC)
Jennifer Schmidt, Program Manager, Illinois Solar for All

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Networking Break

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Elephant in the Room: Navigating Politics to Advance Community Solar

Navigating politics is a delicate dance. Join us for a discussion around the characteristics that succeed for community solar in Red States vs. Blue States vs. Purple States.

Moderator:
Stephen Cortes, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Will Giese, Southeast Regional Director & Co-Chair, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Rusty Haynes, Manager, Research & Industry Strategy, Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Dylan McAuliffe, Director of Policy and New Markets, Solar Landscape
Maddy Symm, Associate Director, Political and Legislative Strategy, Cypress Creek Renewables

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Networking Reception 

Thursday, January 19 7:30 am – 12:00 pm Registration Open

8:00 am – 9:00 am Networking Breakfast

9:00 am – 10:00 am Roundtable Discussion: The IRA and Federal Opportunities to Scale Community Solar

This opening roundtable for day two of the Community Solar Power Summit will feature community solar leaders discussing federal opportunities to scale community solar including the Inflation Reductions Act, the most significant legislation on climate and clean energy in the United States’ history.

Moderator:
Rikkia Ramsey-Williams, National Programs Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Nicole Steele, Head of the National Community Solar Partnership, U.S. Department of Energy, NCSP
Robin K. Dutta, Campaign Director, Local Solar for All
Sean Gallagher, Vice President of State and Regulatory Affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Katherine H. Hamilton, Chair, 38th North Solutions

10:00 am – 10:30 am Networking Break

10:30 am – 11:15 am DER Grid Integration: Lessons Learned from Existing Markets

Explore how to prepare regulators and utilities for the exponential increase in interconnection applications that come alongside a community solar program. Discussion to include lessons learned in the interconnection and distribution planning processes.

Moderator:
Samantha Weaver, Interconnection Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Ed Brolin, Director of Market Development, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses
Tim Harvey, Manager, Customer Renewable Solutions, Austin Energy
Mari Hernandez, – Regulatory Program Assistant Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
John Karamanlis, Associate Director of Business Development, EDF Renewables North America

11:15 am – 12:00 pm Closing Session: What’s Next for Community Solar?

Closing out the Community Solar Power Summit, join us for a discussion around community solar market potentials in the coming year and opportunities through the Department of Energy’s National Community Solar Partnership.

Moderator:
Kevin Cray, Mountain West Regional Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Panelists:
Eric LaMora, Executive Director, Community Solar, Nautilus Solar Energy
Charlie Coggeshall, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)
Ariel Drehobl, Management and Program Analyst, Solar Energy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Jason Small, Solar and Storage Products, National Grid