Monday, February 27, 2023
12:00 – 7:00 pm
Registration
LOWER LEVEL 2
6:00 – 8:00 pm
VIP Reception and Networking
PROSPECT’S URBAN KITCHEN AND BAR
Fireside Chat
- Bryan Hannegan–President and CEO, Holy Cross Energy
- Megan Gilman–Commissioner, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
7:30 am – 6:30 pm
Registration
LOWER LEVEL 2
10:30 am – 6:30 pm
Expo Hall Open
COLORADO BALLROOM
8:00 – 9:00 am
Breakfast and Networking
LOWER LEVEL 2
9:00 – 9:30 am
Keynote – The Clean Energy Transition: Seize the Opportunity
DENVER BALLROOM
9:30 – 10:30 am
Clean Energy Financing: Powering Private Sector Renewables
DENVER BALLROOM
10:30 – 11:00 am
Coffee Break and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
Breakout Sessions
11:00 – 12:00 pm
Ins and Outs of Xcel Energy’s 2022-25 Renewable Energy Plan
DENVER BALLROOM A
Xcel-CO’s 2022-2025 RES Plan includes many incentive programs designed to assist customers, including low-income families, commercial establishments, and community solar subscribers, all to help the state meet its ambitious carbon-free energy goals. This panel of insiders who negotiated the 2022-25 RES Plan will give you a comprehensive understanding of Xcel’s new behind-the-meter programs, including program requirements, incentive levels, capacity amounts, and income-qualified earmarks.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Jake Schlesinger–Partner, Keyes & Fox LLP
- Keith Hay–Senior Director of Policy, Colorado Energy Office
- Kerry Klemm–Manager, Renewable Choice Programs, Xcel Energy
- Kimberly Shields–Director of Strategic Initiatives, Energy Outreach Colorado
Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA) and the Future of Colorado Transmission Planning
DENVER BALLROOM B
As transmission becomes paramount to a low-carbon future, what is the state’s role in ensuring transmission buildout? Hear from experts on this panel how states in the Mountain West region are tackling big questions of transmission planning, resource scarcity, and access.
Speakers
- Moderator: Steve Drew–VP of Market Strategy, Redeux Energy
- Erik Aaboe–Energy Transition Specialist, New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (NMRETA)
- Mark Russell–VP of Business Development, National Renewable Solutions
- Kathleen Staks–Deputy Director, Western Freedom and Board Chair, Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA)
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
Breakout Sessions
1:00 – 1:50 pm
Flexible Interconnection, Curtailment, Smart Inverters, and the Grid of the Future
DENVER BALLROOM A
Can smart inverters and dynamic interconnection policies safely and reliably interconnect greater amounts of distributed generation? Hear from experts how advanced technology is changing the way distributed generation interconnects to the grid and what policy changes may also be needed.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Ed Brolin–Director of Market Development, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses
- Dave Mino–Manager of Distribution System Planning and Strategy, Xcel Energy
- Sky Stanfield–Partner–Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP
- Samantha Weaver–Director of Interconnection and Grid Integration, Coalition for Community Solar Access
Next-Generation Net Metering – Working to Solve the Commercial Split Incentive
DENVER BALLROOM B
Whether it is multifamily, off-site, or even virtual, there are a lot of flavors of net metering and even more unanswered questions about how these next generation rate designs will roll out. This panel has a broad range of experience that covers nearly every facet of the topic. Learn from experts about what is in store for Colorado and how your organization can capitalize on the future of net metering.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Bobby Dishel–Solar + Real Estate Attorney, Moye White
- Madeleine Klein–Managing Director, Policy & Market Strategy, Engie North America
- Katherine Lillydahl–Director of Account Management, Wunder Capital
- John Witchel–CEO, King Energy
Breakout Sessions
2:00 – 3:00 pm
CSGs: Lessons Learned from Other Jurisdictions
DENVER BALLROOM A
Colorado was an early mover in the community solar garden market but that momentum has slowed in recent years. What lessons can Colorado learn from other jurisdictions that are surging ahead? Hear from industry experts about their experiences elsewhere and key next steps for Colorado.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Kevin Cray–Regional Director, Coalition for Community Solar Access
- Ross Abbey–Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, US Solar
- Kacie Peters–Director of Industry Relationship, Pivot Energy
- David Sandbank–VP of Distributed Energy Resources & Clean Transportation, NYSERDA
Energy Storage in Regulated Markets: case studies in successful deployment
DENVER BALLROOM B
Battery storage is the golden ticket that ties the renewable energy system together and opens the door for the clean energy future our industry is working hard to accomplish. One big question remains – what does fair compensation for energy reserves look like? This panel will share real-world examples of commercially viable projects that support renewable energy integration and incentive structures that make the dollars and cents work for everyone.
Speakers:
- Moderator: J.W. Postal–Founder and CEO, WATTMORE
- Peter Cavan–Director of Market Development, Convergent
- Darleen D. DeRosa–VP of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Stem, Inc
- Jennifer Jachym–Manager of Origination, Plus Power
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Coffee Break and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
Breakout Sessions
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Energy Justice for All – Reaching income-qualified, disproportionately impacted and energy communities
DENVER BALLROOM A
Distributed energy programs are increasingly merging with public policy goals to support income-qualified customers. What considerations should the industry consider to reach this unique customer segment? Hear from industry experts about identifying, communicating, and acquiring customers that are income qualified and/or live in disproportionately impacted communities.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Annie Lappé–Vice President of Policy, Pivot Energy
- Jason Barrett–Senior Vice President of Sales, GAF Energy
- Crestina Martinez–Director or Strategic Outreach & Advocacy, Xcel Energy
- Cameron Patterson–Development Officer, GRID Alternatives
Land Use and Permitting Success Stories
DENVER BALLROOM B
Deploy, deploy, deploy! Those are the marching orders for solar and storage post-IRA. But local land use policies, or lack thereof, can get in the way. Hear from developers and consultants who have successfully sited large-scale projects and navigated local permitting practices. Learn what works, and what doesn’t, to get your large-scale project permitted.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Emily Brumit–Business Development Manager, Enel Green Power
- Erin Bibeau–Senior Environmental Planner, Logan Simpson
- Rebecca Halford–Manager of Stakeholder Relations, AES Clean Energy
- Max Jabrixio–Director of Public Engagement, Apex Clean Energy
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Happy Hour and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
7:30 – 9:00 am
Registration
LOWER LEVEL 2
10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Expo Hall Open
COLORADO BALLROOM
8:00 – 9:00 am
Breakfast and Networking
LOWER LEVEL 2
9:00 – 9:30 am
Energy, water, and preserving natural resources in the Mountain West
DENVER BALLROOM
Featured Speaker: KC Becker–Region 8 Administrator, EPA
9:30 – 10:30 am
Get to Know You – Welcome new Colorado CEOs and regulator
DENVER BALLROOM
Speakers:
- Moderator: Tom Hunt–CEO, Pivot Energy
- Nick Wagner–VP Colorado Regulatory Affairs and Policy, Black Hills Energy
- Robert Kenney–President, Xcel Energy Colorado
PV Installation Best Practices
PENROSE BALLROOM
The good, the bad, and the ugly: gain insight on how to do it right, save on installation time and labor, and avoid unnecessary call-backs and red-tags from your AHJ or utility. A fun-filled presentation on residential, commercial, and utility-scale PV systems that will make you groan, gasp, and, at the same time, have some “a-ha” moments.
10:30 – 11:00 am
Coffee Break and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
Breakout Sessions
11:00 – 12:00 pm
East, West, or Something in Between – What is the future for Colo transmission-dependent utilities?
DENVER BALLROOM A
The Rocky Mountain region sits between two emerging transmission markets – the Southwest Power Pool to the east and the California Independent System Operator to the west. Which is best for our region? Or should we consider a third path and forge our own regional system in between? Hear from experts at the forefront of market developments as they discuss the pros and cons of each market.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Taylor Henderson–Local Energizing Officer, Outshine Energy
- Jeff Baudier–CEO, CORE Electric Power
- Mark Gabriel–President and CEO, United Power
Solar, Batteries and Then What?
DENVER BALLROOM B
As we move toward a bi-directional grid, what additional value can solar and batteries provide to the grid? To the purchaser? To the aggregator? Come learn from experts at the forefront of this transformation, working to identify products and services that capitalize on new ways to use distributed energy resources.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Bill Clay–Principal, Solar Power Pros
- Meghan Nutting–Executive VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Sunnova Energy Corp.
- Jason Sharpe–Co-Owner and CEO, Namasté Solar
- Chris Worley–Director of Public Policy, Sunrun
TRAINING SESSION: Commercial Interconnection Options
PENROSE BALLROOM
Are you an experienced residential PV system designer, installer, project manager, or electrician looking to move into larger-scale systems? This presentation will introduce the important concepts you’ll need to understand in order to successfully design and interconnect PV systems to a three-phase utility grid. We will review the most common three-phase utility configurations and cover what kinds of information is needed from a site in order to be able to complete a commercial system design. We will also look at different examples of commercial switchgear, and discuss methods for how and where to interconnect a PV system on larger commercial sites. Additionally, we will provide an overview of the different types of equipment that you are likely to be using. Join us for this hour-long presentation to get an overview of what you’ll encounter when working on larger-scale PV systems.
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
1:00 – 1:30 pm
SEIA Affiliates – What’s Happening in the Mountain West?
DENVER BALLROOM A
All policy is local! Hear from the leaders of SEIA state affiliates and the Rocky Mountain region as they give a quick rundown of accomplishments in 2022 and what’s ahead for 2023.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Sara Birmingham–Senior Director of State Policy, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
- Jim DeJardin–Executive Director, Renewable Energy Industry Association of New Mexico
(REIA-NM) - Autumn Johnson–Executive Director, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
- Mike Kruger–CEO, Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA)
Breakout Sessions
1:30 – 2:30 pm
State Resource Planning and Competitive Procurement – is the gold standard still working?
DENVER BALLROOM A
Colorado’s competitive procurement process is often held up as a best in nation practice. It has resulted in some of the lowest cost generation seen in the industry nationwide, yet some projects have floundered after winning awards. Does Colorado’s process generate healthy competition and successful projects? Or is it a race to the bottom that doesn’t support project viability? Does it meet all energy buyers’ needs? Hear from developers and regulators who must navigate competition, transmission access, and resource adequacy.
- Moderator: Mark Detsky–Attorney, Dietze & Davis, P.C.
- David Flory–EVP Global Head of Project Finance, Sonnedix
Financing Issues – how has the IRA changed the rules of the game?
DENVER BALLROOM B
The IRA is a game changer for financing solar and storage projects. Hear from experts about emerging financial products, types of rebates available for energy and electrification projects, and how best to capture the benefits of the new federal tax policy.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Courtney Welch–Senior Manager of Policy and Strategy, SunPower Corporation
- Bryen Alperin–Managing Director, Foss & Company
- Heather Braithwaite–Chief Investment Officer, Colorado Clean Energy Fund
- Nick Perugini–Co-Owner and VP of Partners and Projects, Solaris Energy
2023 NEC® Changes Affecting PV and Energy Storage Systems
PENROSE BALLROOM
Join Solar Energy International for a discussion of changes in the 2023 NEC®. Regardless of the version of the National Electrical Code enforced in your jurisdiction, the Code drives industry-wide best practices and product development cycles of manufacturers; it is critical for installers, designers, manufacturers, engineers, developers, and building officials to stay current. This presentation will focus on critical updates and changes that impact PV system design and installation for all types of applications – including energy storage systems – ranging from off-grid, to interactive PV systems on buildings, up to utility-scale solar farms. There are some great updates that will help reduce system cost while maintaining safety – you need to know what they are to take advantage; and there’s some updates that may end up adding cost – and you need to know the best ways to deal with them. Bring questions if you have them and be ready for some fun talking Code.
2:30 – 3:00 pm
Coffee Break and Networking
COLORADO BALLROOM
Breakout Sessions
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Supply chain, domestic content, and other pressing equipment issues for solar and storage
DENVER BALLROOM A
Waiting on an equipment delivery delayed at the border? You’re not alone – a pandemic, material shortages, and the Commerce investigation have all contributed to a major supply chain disruption for the solar and storage industry. Join equipment manufacturers as they discuss problems and solutions ahead.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Louis Villaire–Atlasta Solar Center
- Cary Hayes–President, REC Americas
Coops and Munis – resource acquisition post-IRA
DENVER BALLROOM B
Production tax credits? Transferability? Non-profit eligibility? With the passage of the IRA in August of 2022, cooperative and municipal utilities are looking at very different financing arrangements for future large-scale projects. Join utility executives as they opine about how the IRA has changed their thinking on resource acquisition.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Rich Krauze–Managing Director, K2Renew
- Susan Hunter–VP of Energy Resources, Tri-State G&T Association
- Jessica Matlock–CEO, La Plata Electric Association
Worker Safety – NFPA 70E
PENROSE BALLROOM
Most of us are familiar with the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), but did you know this document is part of a trilogy of standards – intended to be used together – to ensure maximum safety for electrical installations? In this one-hour course focused on worker safety, we will look into a different and perhaps lesser known part of this trio: the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E). Using this standard as our guide, we will discuss how to identify and assess electrical hazards and risks, and we will review the “Hierarchy of Risk Control Methods” to understand different strategies for hazard risk reduction. We will also review lockout-tagout principles, shock and arc flash boundaries, and we’ll discuss how to select the right PPE for the task at hand. There are many strategies and opportunities for reducing hazards and maintaining a safe working environment for employees, and understanding NFPA 70E is the key to creating safe working areas.
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Career Fair
COLORADO BALLROOM
4:30 – 5:30 pm
A Look at Lithium-ion Battery Types and Considerations
PENROSE BALLROOM
5:00 pm
Conference Concludes