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Friday, October 16, 20208:00am-12:30pm (Pacific); Online |
Solar Summit Home | Program | Sponsors
Thank you to all who attended and supported the 2020 Virtual Washington State Solar Summit!
The 2020 Virtual Washington State Solar Summit was a one day conference held online Friday, October 16, 2020 with presentations covering topics relevant to the Washington solar industry. Solar Summit attendees typically include representatives from solar installation companies, utilities, manufacturers, distributors, engineers, tribes, city and state government agencies, policy makers, consultants, educators and more. Below is the schedule listing those who presented during this year's event. Thanks to all who presented!
Recordings access
If you missed the live, virtual conference on October 16, 2020, you can access the presentation recordings for a fee for a limited time. Click here for details.
Session topics, speakers, and schedule
8:00-8:15am: Welcome Remarks
Setting the stage for this year's Virtual Solar Summit.
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Jack Newman, President, Solar Washington; Director, Clean Energy Solutions, Säzän Environmental Services Link to bio |
8:15am-9:00am: Plenary Session
Vision of the Future from Regional Utility Leaders
We’ll have a conversation about the future of clean energy with the CEOs of some of the largest electric utilities in our region. We’ll hear about their visions for electrification, meeting CETA targets, and the role of the utility in scaling up solar in Washington State. We’ll also discuss their thoughts on advancing equity in both the utility industry and in who benefits from a clean energy transformation.
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Moderator: Leslie Moynihan | Product Manager, Customer Connected Renewables, Puget Sound Energy Link to bio |
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Jackie Flowers | Director, Tacoma Public Utilities Link to bio |
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Mary E. Kipp | President and Chief Executive Officer, Puget Sound Energy Link to bio |
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Debra Smith | General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Seattle City Light Link to bio |
9:00am-9:15am: Break
9:15am-10:00am: CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Impacts and Response to COVID-19 in Washington State
This session will cover the impacts that COVID-19 has had on the state especially in the clean tech sector. What has been the impacts to workforce in Washington and what are ways the state can respond to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in the next several years? What have been the short term impacts and what are the long term outlooks? How has the pandemic been felt disportionately by communities of color and other grroups and how can response be tailored to address those inequities?
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Zach Amittay | Advocate, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) Link to bio |
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Justin Baca | Vice President of Markets & Research, Solar Energy Industries Association Link to bio |
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Chris Green | Director of the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, Department of Commerce Link to bio |
Making the Most of Energy Storage and Other DERs: A Venture-Capital Perspective
This session will focus on distributed energy resources, innovative energy storage technologies, business models, and the regulatory frameworks needed for widespread adoption.
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Andy Lubershane | Director of Research, Energy Impact Partners Link to bio |
10:00am-10:45am: Networking Session |
Networking Session Sponsor |
10:45am-11:30am: CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Solar & Environmental Justice: Equity in Clean Energy
Learn more about Washington State's progress towards an equitable, socially just, diverse and inclusive solar industry, including new community solar programs, workforce development initiatives, and energy resilience projects that strengthen tribal sovereignty. This session focuses on recent policies, funding resources, and projects that advance community resilience with solar energy, as well as opportunities expand access to the benefits of solar energy and resilience to all members of our growing community.
Session moderated by Jack Newman, President, Board of Directors, Solar Washington
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Mikhaila Gonzales | Project Manager, Spark Northwest Link to bio |
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Oriana Magnera | Climate and Energy Policy Coordinator, Verde Link to bio |
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Tim Willink | Director, Tribal Program, GRID Alternatives Link to bio |
Washington State Legislation: Current Policy Updates, Effects of Vetoed Legislation and the Path Forward
This session will offer an update on current legislation, rules going into place for new laws, and expected benefits. We will also take a look at what is being discussed and lobbied for in Olympia.
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Brad Boswell | Political Consultant, Boswell Consulting Link to bio |
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Beth Doglio | Representative, Washington State, 22nd Legislative District Link to bio |
11:30am-11:45am: Break
11:45am-12:30pm: CONCURRENT SESSIONS
WSU Energy Program Update
This session will provide an update on the two incentive programs that Washington State has offered to spur expansion of the solar industry in the state.
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Todd Currier | Director, WSU Energy Program Link to bio |
Scaling Up: What it Takes to Get to 100% Clean Energy
It will require a collaborative approach across many stakeholders and technologies to get to 100% clean. Solar will play a role as will wind, energy storage, energy efficiency, building operations, and demand response. Learn from leaders in these industries about the opportunities and challenges that we will face as we move forward together.
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Frank Afranji | CEO, Northwest Power Pool Link to bio |
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Duane Jonlin | Energy Code and Energy Conservation Advisor, City of Seattle Link to bio |
Special thanks to our 2020 Virtual Washington State Solar Summit Sponsors
Networking Session Sponsor: |
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Gold Sponsor: |
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SILVER SPONSORS:
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Bronze Sponsors:
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Solar Washington wishes to acknowledge the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program for its support of the 2020 Virtual Washington State Solar Summit.
Non-Profit Partners:
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