SOLAR 2010 Forum Sessions
Forum sessions can include case studies, panel discussions or debates and interactive peer-to-peer teaching sessions. Forum sessions are included in your All-Access Pass and Full, One-Day and Student Conference Registration.
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Wednesday, May 19
10:30am to noon
Case Studies in Community Solar
Moderated by: Dana Hall, Energy Policy Coordinator, Pace Energy and Climate Center
Community Solar financing models allow for increased participation in solar development amongst previously inaccessible market segments. Many energy customers may wish to support solar, but are barred from participation because of a range of obstacles. Likewise, many flat roofed buildings with great potential for capacity do not build projects because the load on site is not large enough to absorb the generation. Community Solar allows for these two ends of the spectrum to combine resources to develop projects that serve on-site loads as well as additional loads that may or may not be contiguous to the site of generation. This year’s “Case Studies in Community Solar” forum will provide a particular focus on those models emerging in the service territories of investor owned utilities, including Arizona Public Service’s Community Power project in Flagstaff Arizona, Net Metering Credits in Massachusetts, and Solar Empowerment Zones in New York City. The forum will also feature the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s best practices review of community solar programs around the nation.
Presentations Include:
Community Renewables - Best Practices: Issues and Solutions
Joseph Wiedman, Partner, Keyes & Fox LLP, Presenting on Behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
Community Power Project - The Flagstaff Pilot
Eran Mahrer, Director of Renewable Energy, Arizona Public Service
Net Metering Community Energy Projects in Massachusetts
Nathan Phelps, Economist, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
New York City - Solar America Cities, Community Solar Financing
Chirs Neidl, Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator, Solar One
How Can Universities Prepare Students for the Renewable Energy Revolution?
Moderated by: Chuck Kutscher, Group Manager, NREL
As a result of concerns with climate change and our nation's reliance on imported oil, the renewable energy industries are rapidly expanding. Concentrating solar power, photovoltaics, and solar heating and cooling installations are providing new job opportunities. While community colleges and specialized training programs are educating installers, universities are also developing programs to produce engineers and scientists who can perform solar R&D and develop new products. In this forum, several university professors will describe their solar energy programs. The audience will be encouraged to participate with ideas on how to improve university education to better enable renewable energy growth.
Speakers Include:
Pat Phelan, Professor, Arizona State University
Jane Davidson, Professor, University of Minnesota
Bob Boehm, Professor, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Frank Kreith, Professor, University of Colorado
Allison Gray, Engineer I, NREL
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Wednesday, May 19
2:00 to 3:30pm
American Solar Energy Society Policy Recommendations: Update and Report Card for the 111th Congress
Moderated by: David Hill, Managing Consultant, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
In early 2009, the American Solar Energy Society released Policy Recommendations for the 111th Congress – Tackling Climate Change and Creating a Green Energy Economy. This forum will provide a critical and timely report card on how well pending and passed legislation and administrative actions have met the challenge and opportunities identified in the ASES report. After a Report Card presentation by the moderator, the panelists - who include national subject matter experts and representatives for leading elected officials - will discuss and comment on critical policy issues in seven topical areas including Carbon, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Electricity, Carbon, Smart Grid and Transmission, Greening the Workforce, and Federal Leadership. Learn from the experts if we are passing or failing - and how the grades can be improved!
Speakers Include:
Chuck Kutscher, Principal Engineer/Group Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Kristen Mayes, Chairman, Arizona Corporation Commission
Jeff Schlegel, Consultant, Schlegel & Associates
Biochar - The Only Carbon-Negative Renewable Energy Option?
Moderated by: Ronal Larson, President, Larson Consulting
The major reason for seeing slower-than-desirable renewable energy system growth and a predicted low system penetration upper limit is that those with the greatest national potential (wind and solar) are intermittent and non-dispatchable. Hybridizing these with energy from a Biochar system removes both major limitations. Just as important is that Biochar is projected to be the most economical means of long-term removal of atmospheric carbon. Surprisingly, the placement of char in soils not only dramatically increases soil productivity with a one-time application, but allows lowered fertilizer use and capture of several other global warming gases.
Speakers Include:
Denis Hayes, President, Bullitt Foundation
Chuck Kutscher, Principal Engineer /Group Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Nancy LaPlaca, Energy Consultant - Externalities, Ariz C C, Self-employed
Jonah Levine, Vice-President, Biochar Engineering Corporation
Community Power Project: Flagstaff Pilot
Moderated by: Phil Smithers, Manager - Renewable Energy Technical Services, APS
The increase in distributed and large scale renewable energy installations brings new challenges to the utility. As we move forward into this new paradigm, the utility will need to challenge its processes and increase its knowledge base on integrating these variable resources into the electric grid. In 2009 APS announced its Community Power Project in Flagstaff, Arizona. This project will bring a high penetration of distributed renewable energy to a targeted location on the APS system to learn more about the management of these resources and their integration with future smart grid technologies. This presentation will address the expected study objectives from the Flagstaff Community Power Project.
Presentations Include:
APS Smart Grid and Renewable Initiatives - Flagstaff, Arizona
Phil Smithers, Manager - Renewable Energy Technical Services, APS
From Concept to Rooftop: Community Power Project - Flagstaff Pilot
Michelle Lehman, Project Manager - Renewable Portfolio Management, APS
Birds Eye View: a Flagstaff-based PV Installer's Experience Partnering with APS in the Development and Deployment of the CPP
Carl Ramsey, President, Architectural & Environmental Associates
Community Impacts of the Community Power Project
William Auberle, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northern Arizona University
Defining a PV-Friendly Feeder: Elements and Methodology for a Demonstration Pilot in Flagstaff, Arizona
David Narang, Renewable Engineer- Renewable Energy Technical Services, APS
Addressing Solar Intermittency Concerns through Smart Grid Enabled Distributed Generation
Dr. Charles Korman, Chief Technologist - Solar Energy, GE - Energy Research
It's all Local: Strategies and Tools for Driving Solar Costs Down
Moderated by: Annie Carmichael, Federal Policy Director, Vote Solar
Ready to make your city a solar champion? Want to help bring down the cost of going solar in your hometown but don’t know where to start? Join this forum to learn about local solar policies and programs that are fundamentally changing solar’s cost equation. From permitting to municipal financing and customer aggregation programs, this will be an interactive session designed to explore local policies for making solar more accessible. You will leave armed with the tools and strategies you need to become an agent of change in your community.
Speakers Include:
Danielle Murray, Renewable Energy Program Manager, Department of EnvironmentCity & County of San Francisco
Dave Llorens, CEO, One Block Off the Grid
Hannah Muller, Solar America Cities Program Lead, Solar Program, Department of Energy
Sal DiCiccio, City Councilman, District 6, City o f Phoenix
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Wednesday, May 19
4:00pm to 5:30pm
The Many Flavors of Net Metering: A Tasting Menu of Successful Solar Policy
Moderated by: Shaun Chapman, Vote Solar
Net metering has been described as one of the most effective policy tools at any level of government for decentralizing and greening American energy sources. Today states nationwide are proving that there’s nothing vanilla about this fundamental solar policy. This session will explore the many flavors of net metering, including innovative models like neighborhood net metering, the intersection of net metering and feed-in-tariffs, and the prospect of a national net metering policy. Learn how this critical policy is evolving to meet the changing needs of energy customers and a dynamic U.S. solar market.
Speakers Include:
James Rose, Network for New Energy Choices
Carrie Hitt, Solar Alliance
Larel Varnado, North Carolina Solar Center
Kevin Fox, Keyes and Fox
Meeting Workforce Challenges -- A Look at National & State Action
Moderated by: Pat Fox, Director of Operations, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Green jobs, clean jobs, new jobs, the greening of conventional jobs -- the pressure is on to meet the new demands for training the emerging and diverse green workforce. With significant funding opportunities, more and more dollars are being directed toward training this workforce. Hear how different national and state strategies have been created to respond to this heightened demand for a well-trained workforce.
Presentations Include:
Challenges and Trends in Training a Green Workforce - A National Perspective
Jane Weissman, Executive Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
U.S. DOE Solar Instructor Training – Creating a Nationwide Network
Mark Frickel, Energy Analyst, Sentech, Inc., in support of the U.S. Dept. of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program
Training a Workforce to Achieve New York’s Clean Energy Goals
Vicki Colello, Project Manager, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Solar Industry Workforce Readiness
Doug Payne, Executive Director, SolarTech
Greener Skills, Greener Standards: How Credentials Add Value in the Clean Energy Economy
Sarah White, Senior Associate, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Passive Solar Buildings
Moderated by: J. Douglas Balcomb, retired NREL
This forum will bring together experts in passive solar buildings to discuss the role of passive solar in the context of 2010, when solar has increasingly become associated with solar electric technologies. The session will address passive solar in the context of both residential buildings and non-residential buildings where daylighting should in most cases become a major aspect of the design.
Speakers Include:
Donald Watson, Earthrise Design
Mark Chalom, Solar Design & Analysis
Alicia Raveto, Alicia Raveto Architect PA
Mike Nicklas, Innovative Design
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) and new 21st Century Transportation Systems
Moderated by: Scotte Elliott, Principal, GreenTech Consultants LLC
New 21st Century transportation systems are here! From nearly-completed projects in Sweden and the U.K., to forthcoming projects in San Jose, CA and Huntsville, AL, personal rapid transit (PRT) systems are emerging as a super-clean and highly-efficient solution for regional and local transportation. Come and hear about the latest technological developments, the role of solar in PRT, and how to get from where we are today to the transportation modes of the future.
Ron Swenson will share the latest industry developments as taken from his participation in the Podcar City III annual global conference, in Malmö, Sweden, in December 2009. He will discuss the integration of PV systems directly into the Podcar infrastructure. Bill James will give an update on PRT projects under development including the 20km network in Kunming China. He will discuss the role of the network in capturing and distributing renewable energy, and the payback of such transportation systems. Marcelo da Luz will provide insight into the proven performance of a solar powered vehicle, The Power of One Solar Car Project. He will brief the audience on the results of the 2010 Ice Road Challenge, a journey across the
longest ice road in the world running 180km (111 miles) between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada. Dave Erb will round out the forum discussing a roadmap to a Sustainable Transportation future.
Speakers Include:
Ron Swenson, Managing Director, Solarevolution
Bill James, CEO, JPods, Inc
Marcelo da Luz, Core Team Leader, The Power of One Solar Car Project
Dave Erb, Faculty, NC State Engineering at UNC Asheville
Small Wind Zoning - Getting to “Yes in my Backyard”
Moderated by: Megan Amsler, Executive Director, Self-Reliance
This session will focus on providing you with real examples of small wind by-laws that encourage good installations that include tall towers as well as successful approaches for educating the decision-makers and citizens to embrace small wind and welcome it into their neighborhoods.
Speakers Include:
Megan Amsler, Executive Director, Self-Reliance
Mark Weissflog, President, KW Management
Joe Guasti, President, Guasti Construction
Solana Generating Station
Moderated by: Antonia Bouchard, Arizona State Director, SmartPower
Groundbreaking for the Solana Generating Station is expected to take place in 2010. This will be an opportunity to learn about the construction of this 280 MW concentrating solar plant including the large solar field - 3 square miles of parabolic trough mirrors. The plant operation will be explained including the 6-hours molten salt storage which allows solar energy to be used after the sun goes down. Timelines for the construction process will be shared as well as the plans for operation and economic impact to Arizona.
Speakers Include:
Sobia Naqvi, Program Manager, Abengoa Solar Inc.
Luis Henrique Martinez, Solana Project Director, Abengoa Solar Inc.
Jason Smith, Director, Strategic Planning & Renewable Initiatives, Arizona Public Service
Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Markets: Status and Emerging Issues
Moderated by: Lori Bird, NREL
This session will explore the status of solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) markets in the U.S. and emerging issues. It will cover the status of both compliance markets for SRECs that have emerged as a result of solar set asides in state renewable energy standards as well as voluntary markets for SRECs. This session will cover issues such as the integration of a potential federal solar REC market into existing markets, best practices in tracking and verifying SRECs for RPS compliance, as well as SREC trading and aggregation.
Presentations Include:
Industry Perspective on U.S. SREC Markets
Fred Zalcman, SunEdison
NJ SREC Program Status
Mike Winka, NJ BPU
Status of Solar Energy Set Asides in State RPS Programs
Charlie Kubert, Clean Energy Group
Verification and Tracking of RECs: Issues and Challenges
Steve Wiese, Clean Energy Associates
Trading in the SREC Markets
Brad Bowery, SREC Trade
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Thursday, May 20
10:30am to noon
Bankable Solar Resource Assessment - Best Practices for PV and CSP
Moderated by: Manajit Sengupta, NREL
Large investment decisions in PV and CSP are made based on solar resource assessment. This forum will start a dialogue to clarify the picture on what is required and available and what the solar community needs to develop for high penetration of solar power.
Speakers Include:
Stephen Wilcox, NREL
Marcel Suri, GeoModel
Trevor d'Olier-Lees, Standard and Poors
David Renne, NREL
Adam Kankiewicz, Windlogics
Certification - Getting it right
Moderated by: Jane Weissman, Executive Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
While certification and licensure are not very sexy topics, the value of a good assessment program or the harm of a bad one could have significant impacts on the market. It is important for the solar and renewable energy community to engage in a meaningful conversation about certification issues so that consumer confidence isn’t jeopardized with unsubstantiated implications of competency.
Presentations Include:
Setting the Framework - What Exactly Is Certification?
Jane Weissman, Executive Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Setting the Framework - A Look at Licensing Requirements Around the Country
Pat Fox, Director of Operations, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
NABCEP Certifications - The Elements of a National Certification
Ezra Auerbach, Executive Director, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
Why Certification Matters
Jeff Spies, Director of Training, AEE Solar
Why Certification and Accreditation Programs Are Important for Training Organizations
Johnny Weiss , Executive Director, Solar Energy International
Intersecting Evidenced Based Design Inquiry & Integrated Project Delivery (IPD):
Moderated by: Dale Brentrup AIA, Professor of Architecture and Director, Center for Integrated Building Design Research - Daylighting + Energy Performance
To achieve the greatest benefits from the promise of the Net-Zero/ Carbon Neutral workplace initiatives the commissioning of new and (especially) retrofit buildings must focus upon the quantifiable visualization of real-time envelope performance attributes, their component energy savings and subsequent environmental mitigation. Integrated project-delivery and evidenced based design processes are critically linked to the creation of next-generation, high-performance buildings. Architects can become aware of the energy performance consequences of their design decisions. When given timely and sufficient - but not excessive - performance data a design team will make both economical and energy efficient design choices. This may be thought of as a “dashboard” for the building.
Speakers Include:
J Susan Ubbelohde LEED AP, Professor of Architecture and Partner, UC Berkeley and Loisos +Ubbelohde Architects
George Loisos, RA, LEED AP, Partner, Loisos +Ubbelohde Architects
Joel Loveland, Professor of Architecture and Director, Integrated Design Lab-Puget Sound; College of Built Environments, University of
Chris Meeks AIA, Research Assistant Professor, Daylighting Lab Integrated Design Lab | Seattle; University of Washington
Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Director, Integrated Design Lab – Boise; College of Art & Architecture,
Ben Futrell, LEED AP, Lecturer and Lab Coordinator, Center for Integrated Building Design Research – Daylighting + Energy Performance
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Jumping on the PACE Financing Train: The Little Policy that Could
Moderated by: Amy Heinemann, Policy Analyst, DSIRE, NC Solar Center
Stopped in their tracks: High upfront costs are often cited as the main reason consumers are not getting on board with renewable energy and energy efficiency. In response, a new policy known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing has quickly gained popularity across the United States. In this forum, we will bring together experts to discuss multiple aspects of PACE financing. Audience participants will gain an understanding of the PACE financing model, as well as the legal and financial opportunities and challenges from those with direct experience designing and/or implementing local PACE programs.
Speakers Include:
Mimi Frusha, Chief Operating Officer, Renewable Funding
Jason Coughlin, NREL Project Coordinator for the Solar America Cities Program, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Claudia Eyzaguirre, Senior Policy Advocate, Vote Solar Initaitive
Andrea Luecke, Milwaukee Shines Project Manager, City of Milwaukee
Net Zero Energy Buildings: Lessons Learned from Design and Operation
Moderated by: Brad Jacobson, AIA, LEED ® AP, Associate, EHDD Architecture
Net Zero Energy buildings are a fundamental building block of federal, state and institutional carbon reduction plans yet there are few built examples to date. This forum’s panelists offer valuable lessons learned from the trenches of Net Zero Energy building design and operation. While these buildings differ in important ways from more conventional “green” buildings, the concepts covered in this forum are applicable to all interested in closing the loop between high-efficiency building design and real world results
Speakers Include:
Brad Jacobson, AIA, LEED ® AP, Associate, EHDD Architecture
Allan Daly, P.E., Principal, Taylor Engineering
David Kaneda, P.E., AIA, LEED ® AP, Principal, Integrated Design Associates, Inc. (IDeAs)
Mark Frankel, Technical Director, New Building Institute
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Strategic Values of Distributed Generated Electricity from Photovoltaics
Moderated by: Jeff Lyng, Renewable Energy Policy Manager, Colorado Governor's Energy Office
Technical, policy and strategic values of DG from PV will be presented and discussed. Technical aspects of distributed generating from photovoltaics will be presented by Tom Hoff and Richard Perez including Solar Load Control and storage opportunities with associated value propositions. The North Carolina Solar Center will present on their IREC funded Policy Alternatives for Valuing DG PV. SMUD will include their perspective on DG in relationship to their SmartGrid activities. Colorado will include their recent DG PV activities, including the policy environment driving the decision making process.
Speakers Include:
Tom Hoff, Principal, Clean Power Research
Laurel Varnado, Policy Analyst , North Carolina Solar Center
Richard Perez, Senior Research Associate, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, State University of New York at Albany (SUNY)
Mark Rawson, Senior Project Manager , Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Jeff Lyng, Renewable Energy Policy Manager, Colorado Governor's Energy Office
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Thursday, May 20
2:00pm to 3:30pm
Between Commodity and Delight: Architectural Design in the 2009 Solar Decathlon
Moderated by: Alison Kwok, Professor, University of Oregon
The Solar Decathlon is so named because it requires entrants to compete in 10 distinct contests—one of which involves architectural design. A juror for the architecture contest of the 2009 Solar Decathlon (involving 20 international entrants) and several Decathlon team members will discuss the role of architecture in the overall decathlon experience, reflect upon the architecture presented by the entrants, and perhaps debate the criteria and weight assigned to the architecture contest.
Speakers Include:
Jonathan Knowles, Architect, Briggs-Knowles Architecture+Design
Colin Booth, Student, Tufts, Boston Architectural Center
Chad Nielsen, Student, University of Arizona
Jeff Rayl, Student, Penn State
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Can CSP Be Baseload? Thermal Storage Update
Moderated by: Robert Orsello, CEO, Triage Corp.
Fundamentally, Solar Energy is not viewed as a Base-load energy source by the nature of its intermittency, but emerging storage technologies may evolve this perception. Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), by definition, implies focused heat. Heat is not only the oldest form of harnessed energy, but outside of fuels, is one of the easiest and most efficient forms of energy to store. This session will bring the audience current information on the state of thermal storage technologies, provide objective arguments (pro and con) to using Storage and discuss the merits for integration of Storage with CSP for the creation of a dependable, viable Solar Base-load solution.
Speakers Include:
Mark Mehos, Principal Program Manager, CSP, NREL
Bill Gould, Chief Technology Officer, Solar Reserve
Patrick Phelan, Professor & Graduate Program Chair,School of Engineering, ASU
Anoop Mathur, Chief Technology Officer, Terrafore
Patrick O'Grady, Journalist, Phoeniz Business Journal
Cooltowers: Integrated Passive Cooling for Buildings and Spaces in the Arid Southwest
Moderated by: Martin Yoklic, Research Scientist, University of Arizona, Environmental Research Laboratory, Tucson, AZ
Are you too hot and dry? The Cooltower provides passive cooling for buildings and outdoor spaces without using compressors or fans in the hot arid arid climates of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest (summer). Hear from the leading researchers in passive/hybrid downdraft cooling (PHDC) design. Learn about performance, system engineering, and design integration. Notable Cooltower applications at Zion National Park, Srprings Reserve in Las Vegas and other will be reviewed from the architect, engineer and user perspective.
Speakers Include:
Martin Yoklic, Research Scientist, University of Arizona, Environmental Research Laboratory, Tucson, AZ
John Reynolds, Professor Emeritus, University of Oregon, Department of Architecture, Eugene, OR
Nader Chalfoun, Professor, University of Arizona, School of Architecture, Tucson, AZ
Teresa Burrelsman, Architect/Consultant, Green Tab Strategies, Seattle, WA
David Houghton, Engineer, Resource Engineering Group, Inc. Crested Butte, CO
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Smart Solar Marketing Strategies
Moderated by: Mark Sinclair, Executive Director, Clean Energy States Alliance
Most Americans still believe that solar is too expensive, unreliable, and hard to purchase. To overcome these misperceptions and create a robust marketplace, the solar industry must begin to market solar energy like Coca-Cola sells soda or McDonald’s sells hamburgers. This forum will explain how state and utility solar programs can think and act like retailers and create new marketing initiatives to help customers understand that solar is both a smart financial investment and reliable, and as easy to purchase as financing a car.
Speakers Include:
Lyn Rosoff, Director of Marketing, SmartPower
Kacia Brockman, Senior Solar Program Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon
Rachel Sahlman, Manager, Corporate Communications, Arizona Public Service
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Thursday, May 20
4:00pm to 5:30pm
Cash from Clunkers: Retrofitting Buildings for High Performance
Moderated by: James Nicolow, Director of Sustainability, Lord Aeck Sargent
Over 70 percent of current US commercial building stock was built before 1990, accounting for around 75 percent of energy consumption in the commercial sector. In 2006, The United States spent $438B on improvements and repairs to existing buildings, but a very small percentage of that went towards energy improvements. This forum will look at the opportunities that commercial buildings present for energy retrofits using examples from case studies as well as a proposal for financing retrofits on college and university campuses through privatized financing
Speakers Include:
Victor Olgyay, Principal, Rocky Mountain Institute
Vikram Sami, Sustainable Design Analyst, Perkins + Will
Peter Belisle, President of Energy & Sustainability Services, Jones, Lang LaSalle
Cherlyn Seruto, Consultant, Rocky Mountain Institute
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Executive Panel: CSP Industry Encounter
Moderated by: Alison Mason, Director of Marketing, ReflecTech
This is the quintessential CSP industry encounter. Executives of the major CSP companies will provide an update on their technology and business, and participate in an engaging and informative exchange, moderated to draw out the most interesting facts and compelling comparisons.
Speakers Include:
Steve Cowman, CEO, Stirling Energy Systems
Kevin Smith, CEO, Solar Reserve
Kate Maracas, Vice President, Operations, Abengoa Solar
Joshua Bar-Lev, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Brightsource
Andrew McMahan, Vice President, Technology & Projects, SkyFuel
Gilbert Cohen, Senior Adviser, Acciona
Estimating US Jobs in Solar PV: JEDI and Other Methods
Moderated by: Barry Friedman, Senior Analyst, NREL
Some say green jobs will be plentiful, and others say they are a mirage. The DOE Solar Vision Study sets targets between 10-20% solar penetration by 2030. Against this backdrop, state and federal policy makers are increasingly in need of reliable projections of workforce development for the solar value chain. This forum will provide an overview of a newly launched NREL study in this area, and will feature speakers from organizations who have contributed significantly to the refinement of solar economic impact assessment.
Speakers Include:
Philip Jordan, Principal, Green LMI Consulting, Inc.
Jay Paidipati, Managing Consultant, Navigant Consulting
Marshall Goldberg, Resource Planner, MRG & Associates
Solar Phoenix - A Model to Advance Residential Solar
Moderated by: Antonia Bouchard, Renewable Energy Advisor, Arizona Public Service
Solar Phoenix, a unique public-private partnership model designed to advance solar installations in the City of Phoenix, will be explained. The goal of Solar Phoenix, announced on November 10, 2009 was to install 1000 solar PV rooftops on homes in the City of Phoenix in 2010. Come find out how the model works, what some of the lessons the partners have learned during the implementation and how it can be adapted to different cities or regions.
Speakers Include:
Bill Scheel, Chief of Staff - Office of Mayor Phil Gordon, City of Phoenix
Abran Villegas, Vice President Corporate Banking, National Bank of Arizona
Lyndon Rive, Founder & CEO, Solar City
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Students Rule: Participant Reflections on the 2009 Solar Decathlon
Moderated by: Walter Grondzik, Ball State University
Participation in the Solar Decathlon has been described as a fantastic journey that is both exhausting and exhilarating. Hear what students who participated in the 2009 Solar Decathlon have to say about their various journeys from concept, to building, to transporting, to competitor, to observer. This forum provides the opportunity for free expression from those most directly affected by this event.
Panelists Include:
Tim Lentz, Iowa State University
Luke Witmer, Penn State University
Chris Black, University of Waterloo
Sherwood Wang, University of Arizona
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
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Friday, May 21
10:30am to noon
Real Stories from Real Buildings
Moderated by: Troy Peters, Assistant Professor, California Polytechnic State University
This session will present findings from selected building case studies conducted by students, faculty and practitioners using methods and equipment from the Vital Signs and Agents of Change curriculum projects. This session is jointly sponsored by the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). The projects to be presented take a scientific look at building performance. The concept is simple: visit real buildings; make observations; develop questions and hypotheses about performance; make measurements and talk to building users; develop understandable conclusions that can inform future design efforts and building operations.
Presentations Include:
Learning from our Classrooms: Findings from Post-Occupancy Evaluations of K-12 School Environments
Lindsay Baker, Building Science Researcher and PhD student, Center for the Built Environment,UC Berkeley
Layers of Light: A Field Study of Dynamic Daylighting Systems and Daylight Variability in Classrooms: Spokane Falls Community College,
Julia Day, Student/Teaching Assistant, Washington State University
Infiltration Station: Air Leaks in a 1924 House in Downtown Eugene
David Bartley, Candidate, Master of Architecture, 2011; Krystan Menne, Candidate, Master of Architecture, 2011 and Sara Vernia, Candidate, Master of Architecture, 2011, University of Oregon
Post Occupancy Survey of the Arizona LEED NC Population
Dixon Oates, PhD Candidate, Arizona State University
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
The Making of a Solar Power Purchase Agreement
Moderated by: Dana Hall, Energy Policy Coordinator, Pace Energy and Climate Center
The Solar Power Purchase Agreement is a complex configuration of transactions, involving multiple parties, each with a unique set of interests. Subject to the regulatory environment of the state in which the project is located, a successful PPA negotiation must bring together solar developers, private building owners with load, investors and lenders and REC brokers. This forum will feature two attorneys representing the solar developer and a host offtaker in a PPA to dramatize the negotiation of key issues necessary for a successful distributed (behind the meter) solar PV project.
Speakers Include:
Morten Lund, Attorney, Stoel Rives
Stephen Humes, Attorney, McCarter & English
Think Like an EcoSystem - Attracting People More Successfully to Renewables
Moderated by: Marda Kirn, EcoArts Connections
A natural reaction in these lean times is to look inward and keep to one’s own “core”. Yet this is exactly when looking outward and reaching across boundaries, disciplines, and organizations can provide new customers, media attention, and funding. Learn how studies are pointing to the need for combining cognition and affect for greater effect in helping people to make the shift to more sustainable living practices. Learn how different “species” from the renewable energy “ecosystem” – engineers, artists, and an arts-science connector - have developed successful collaborations from small to large.
Presentations Include:
Cognition + Affect = Effect
Marda Kirn, EcoArts Connections
City as Living Laboratory
Mary Miss, Mary Miss Studio
Pickle Plant Solar Farm
Robert Tully, Robert Tully Artworks
solarCircus Public Awareness Platform
Tiffany Holmes, Dept of Art and Technology Studies, Art Institute of Chicago
Wholesale Distributed Generation--The Next Big Thing
Moderated by: Adam Browning, Executive Director, The Vote Solar Initiative
Wholesale distributed generation is one of the fastest growing and most exciting new solar markets in the country. These facilities have sufficient scale to deliver low prices to ratepayers, and virtually unlimited siting opportunities. California, for example, is on track to build at least 2 GW of wholesale distributed solar in the next 4 years. Come learn from the experts about the multiple business models, programs, and market participants that are emerging to exploit this market opportunity. The panel will feature presentations from leading utilities, solar companies, and policy experts about current events, and a moderated discussion about future developments.
Speakers Include:
Kevin Fox, Attorney, Keyes and Fox, LLP
Jason Smith, Director, Strategic Planning & Renewable Initiatives, Arizona Public Service
Darren Bouton, Director, US State Government Affairs, First Solar
Paul Douglas, Manager, Renewable Procurement and Resource Planning , California Public Utilities Commission
Arno Harris, CEO, Recurrent Energy
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Friday, May 21
2:00pm to 3:30pm
Energy for the Other 80%
Moderated by: Laurie Guevara-Stone, International Program Manager, Solar Energy International
Of the 6.7 billion people on the planet, 5.5 billion reside in less developed regions, and 2.6 billion earn less then $2/day. 1.6 billion people have no access to electricity, 2.6 billion don’t have adequate sanitation, and millions of women spend hours every day gathering water and firewood. Access to renewable energy technologies could greatly improve people’s lives, and in some cases mean the difference between life and death. As the solar industry booms in industrialized nations, we cannot forget the rest of the world, and how we can and must help better people’s lives through access to energy services. This forum is dedicated to the memory of Walt Ratterman, a solar hero who dedicated his life to helping people around the world improve their lives with renewable energy technologies.
Presentations Include:
Saving Lives with Solar Cooking
Louise Meyer, Co-founder, Solar Household Energy
Solar Energy for Rural Health Care
Laura Stachel, Founder, We Care Solar
Transforming Lives with Solar in Rural Villages
Christopher Freitas, Project Engineer, SunEnergy Power International
Renewable Energy in Native American Communities
Debby Tewa, Renewable and Tribal Coordinator, Arizona Energy Office
Environmental Impacts of Concentrating Solar Power Plants
Moderated by: Chuck Kutscher, NREL
Concentrating solar power systems are a promising means of rapidly deploying carbon-free, dispatchable electricity on a large scale. Contracts have been signed for approximately 5,000 MW of new plants, and the Bureau of Land Management has received land permit applications for over 50,000 MW of CSP. With a footprint of 5 to 7 acres per MW, there are potentially hundreds of thousands acres that could be involved. What are the potential impacts on the desert ecosystem and how can these plants be deployed in the most environmentally responsible way possible? Experts will discuss the challenges and potential solutions and audience participation will be encouraged.
Speakers Include:
John White, CEERT
Kurt Picel, Argonne National Laboratory
Jordan Macknick, NREL
Alex Daue, The Wilderness Society
Solar for Landfills, Brownfields and Contaminated Land
Moderated by: Peggy Hock, Business Development Manager, United Solar Ovonic
Turn ""wastelands"" into enhanced environmental assets for the community! Learn where different PV technologies and applications work most effectively on the millions-of-acres qualified as landfills, “Brownfields” or “Superfund” sites. Hear the financial, technical and environmental advantages and disadvantages of placing ballasted glass PV, tracking systems, CSP, and thin-film geomembrane covers at these sites. Learn market size and the right questions to consider when evaluating potential properties. Discover important sources of funding and other resource tools available to make these vital projects a reality!
Speakers Include:
Chris Nelson, Senior Principal Scientist , MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc.
Brigid Lowery, Acting Director of the Center for Program Analysis, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response , US Environmental
Paul Curran, Senior Executive Vice President, Landfills Brownfields, Axio Power
Peggy Hock, Business Development Manager, United Solar Ovonic
Solar Water Heating - The Great Installation Debate
Moderated by: Mark Thornbloom, Principal, Kelelo Engineering
Every year installation of solar heating systems becomes more of an established trade and industry. As this industry evolves and matures, there is ongoing synthesis of new techniques and equipment choices with old methods. This forum is for anyone wanting to broaden the scope of their knowledge of installation techniques and equipment and for anyone wanting to understand the discussion “behind the scenes”. Please come and participate in a lively discussion of installation topics with a panel of experienced installers.
Panelists Include:
Tom Bohner, President, Integrated Solar
David Sawchak, President, Morningstar Enterprises Inc.
Bob Rohr, National Training Manager, Caleffi N. America
Ed Murray, President, Aztec Solar Inc.
Skip Fralick, Energy Engineer, CA Center for Sustainable Energy
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Friday, May 21
4:00pm to 5:30pm
Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Projects in Indian Country
Moderated by: Sandra Begay-Campbell, Sandia National Labs
The lay of tribal land offers myriad opportunities for Native American energy champions to seek energy efficiency and solar energy projects in Indian Country. Although, layers of policies may slow the process, tribes are moving forward in the renewable energy economy to become vital players in market transformation and green collar jobs. This forum will bring a diverse group of energy practitioners who will share their experience and what motivates them to keep moving forward with their renewable energy projects.
Speakers Include:
Reginald Agunwah, Environmental Manager, Ramona Band of Cahuilla Indians
Vircynthia Charley, Field Superintendent/Journeyman Electrician, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
Debby Tewa, Renewable & Tribal Energy Coordinator, Arizona Energy Office
Roger Tungovia, Project Manager, Hopi Clean Air Partnership Project
Bruno Zagar, Environmental Specialist, Fond du Lac Environmental Program
Life Cycle Analysis: Ensuring Solar's Sustainable Future
Moderated by: David Hochschild, VP, External Relations, Solaria
How do we make a green industry greener? This forum will explore the environmental footprint of solar PV manufacturing and how life cycle analysis is currently used in the PV industry, as well as a menu of best practices to make the PV industry processes environmentally sound, from product recycling programs to carbon footprint labeling, and how these practices can impact the decisions of customers, manufacturers and installers alike.
Speakers Include:
Dustin Mulvaney, Postdoctoral Researcher, UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Woolwich, CEO, PV Recycling LLC
Lisa Krueger, Vice President, First Solar
Karsten Wambach, SolarWorld
Julie Blunden, Vice President, Public Policy and Corporate Communications, SunPower
Micro Inverter Versus DC-to-DC Technology Shoot-Off
Moderated by: Joseph McCabe, Executive VP Business Development, Ascent Solar
In this forum, companies providing either Micro Inverter or DC to DC converter technologies for photovoltaic systems will compare and contrast their solutions side by side. People attending this forum will obtain a deep understanding of these new electrical BOS technologies and how they compare with each other.
Speakers Include:
Raghu Belur, Co-founder, Vice President of Marketing, Enphase
Jeff Krista, VP of Sales and Marketing , Tigo Energy
Gene Krzywinski, Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, eIQ Energy
Tim Kubes, Director of Sales and Marketing, Xandex Inc.
Solar Thermal Heating & Cooling: A Hot Solution for a Cooler Climate
Moderated by: Chip Bircher, Renewable Energy Product Manager, Wisconsi n Public Service, Utility Solar Water Heating Initiative
Solar thermal is hot…and very cool! Solar thermal heating and cooling are attracting renewed attention in today’s renewable and carbon markets as utilities seek cost-effective ways to meet renewable energy and emissions goals. Today’s solar thermal equipment is reliable, cost-effective, and readily available. Advanced metering allows accurate measurement and reporting of system performance. Innovative business models are creating new market opportunities. These factors make solar thermal a strong contributor for meeting RPS requirements, supplying green energy, offsetting greenhouse gases and creating RECs. Come and hear what the major players from utilities, industry and states are accomplishing.
Presentations Include:
Third-party Ownership Business Model for Utility Solar Thermal
Dell Jones, VP, Renewable Project Development, Regenesis Power, LLC
What's Hot: An Expansion Update from Lakeland Electric
Jeff Curry, Alternative Energy Coordinator, Lakeland Electric
Large-Scale Commercial Solar Hot Water
Dale Freudenberger, President, FLS Energy
California's Solar Thermal Market
Katrina Phruksukarn, Program Manager, Solar Water Heating, California Center for Sustainable Energy
Wisconsin's Solar Thermal Market
Kari Heinrich, Program Manager, Solar Water Heating, Focus on Energy
Anatomy of Hawaii's Solar Mandate
Ron Richmond, Manager, Business Development, SunEarth, Inc.
Spirit and Sustainability
Moderated by: Barbara Harwood, Donald Aitken Associates
Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings at Taliesin West speak clearly of their connection to the lush Sonoran Desert whose caliche soil undergirds them and whose towering sajuaro cacti inspire them. Wright believed all building designs should show respect for all life and all land. He looked at the vast openness of the desert as a storehouse of natural shapes, textures and colors to incorporate into his low-lying buildings. This annual forum, which has traditionally explored the connection of its participants with their own spirit of sustainability, will help them discover what Frank Lloyd Wright and the spirit of the desert say to their own work in sustainability.
Speakers Include:
The Path of Spirit
Barbara Harwood, Donald Aitken Associates
The Architecture of Nature
Anthony Puttnam, Anthony Puttnam Architects
Spirituality in the Realm of Sustainability
Margo Stipe, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
The Spirit of the Desert Expressed in Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West
Donald Aitken, Donald Aitken Associates
The Spirit of Shelter
Russell Mahoney, Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
Teaching Resources to Transform Architectural Design Studio Pedagogy: The Carbon Neutral Design Project Design Studio Profiles
Moderated by: James Wasley, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
In partnership with the American Institute of Architects, the Society of Building Science Educators is building an online resource on carbon neutral design. Our goal is to provide the tools to transform both architectural education and practice in the service of the 2030 Challenge. This forum presents one component of this interlinked resource; a series of profiles of architectural design studio ‘teaching topics’ on carbon neutral design. These self-critical presentations of teaching methods are intended to give architectural design studio faculty and others insight into teaching carbon neutral design and well tested strategies for doing so.
Speakers Include:
Hazem Rashed-Ali, University of Texas at San Antonio
Ihab Elzeyadi, University of Oregon
Bruce Haglund, University of Idaho
Terri Meyer Boake, University of Waterloo
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session
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