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HYBRID CONFERENCE
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2021 SOLAR SUMMIT HOME| PROGRAM
Photos from the 2021 Washington State Solar Summit hybrid conference by Patrick Nugent. Speakers presented simultaneously in-person and remotely to provide a true hybrid experience for Solar Summit in-person and remote attendees. Special thanks to Social Enterprises for producing this hybrid event.
FULL SESSION SCHEDULE AND TOPICS (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
- Speakers were given the option of presenting in-person or virtually (remotely). There was time for Q&As for in-person and virtual-only remote attendees after each presentation time permitting.
- Presentation recordings are available for registered attendees of the Solar Summit. Links to the recordings are available for a fee for those who did not register to attend the October 22 event. Contact [email protected] for more information.
9:00am-9:30am : SESSION: Welcome Remarks and Announcements; State of Solar-Clean Energy Industry Update
Recap of industry trends, including opportunities and constraints for solar energy in Washington State, and new initiatives with Solar Washington.
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Jack Newman, President, Solar Washington; Director, Clean Energy Solutions, Säzän Environmental Services Link to bio |
9:30-10:30am: SESSION: Legislative Review
Previous legislative sessions have been packed with environmental issues and we expect that the 2022 session to follow suit. Join us for a panelist session to hear more on this important topic, including highlights from our 2021 session, what we can expect to focus on in the 2022 session, and other state and federal policy items underway or needed to support additional solar deployment.
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Moderator: Suzy Oversvee | Energy Services Policy and Strategy Senior Program Manager at Snohomish County PUD; Board of Directors, Solar Washington Link to bio |
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U.S. Representative Kim Schrier | Washington's 8th Congressional District Link to bio |
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Dave Warren | Principal, The Warren Group, LLC Link to bio |
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Kaifeng Xu | Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Link to bio |
10:30-11:00am: Break
11:00am-12:00 noon: SESSION: Improving Solar Access for Tribal Communities
This session provides a panel discussion from tribal representatives on their experiences with solar energy, including successes and opportunities, barriers and future goals. The panelists will also speak to the industry on how to better meet their unique needs, as well as strategies for leveraging grant funding resources, implementing workforce development trainings, and aligning climate adaptation plans with solar project development.
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Clyde Abrahamson | Special Projects Manager, Spokane Indian Housing Authority Link to bio |
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Sean Lawrence | Director, Lummi Nation, Office of Economic Policy Link to bio |
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Kelsey Moldenke | Senior Planner, Quinault Indian Nation Link to bio |
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Moderator: Jack Newman | President, Solar Washington; Director of Clean Energy Solutions, Säzän Environmental Services Link to bio |
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Phil North | Conservation Scientist, Tulalip Tribes Link to bio |
12:00 noon-1:00pm: Break; Video presentation-Showcasing Sustainability Ambassadors
1:00-2:00pm: SESSION: Important Considerations for Siting Large-Scale Solar Projects
As solar developers, utilities and other stakeholders eye opportunities for siting large-scale solar projects to support CETA compliance and meet customer and community demand for clean energy, what are the necessary or important factors to consider? What looks like the perfect piece of land for a solar project, might actually be vital to a local farming community, or critical habitat for protected bird species. Hear experts discuss how the concept of “dual-use" and "least-conflict" solar siting” can provide an opportunity to develop large-scale solar to meet clean energy goals, preserve farmland and critical habitat, encourage solar in the built environment and save solar developers money and headaches in the long run.
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Moderator: Todd Currier | Director, Washington State University Energy Program Link to bio |
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Dever Haffner-Ratliffe | Clean Energy Program Manager, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Link to bio |
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Dani Madrone | Pacific Northwest Policy Manager, American Farmland Trust Link to bio |
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Adam Maxwell | Government Relations Director, Audubon Washington Link to bio |
2:00-2:30pm: Break
2:30-3:30pm: SESSION: Residential Energy Storage
This session will be a panel discussion about the future of residential storage and how technology and utilities are adapting to a modern distributed energy storage environment. We’ll be asking how this could impact Washington State consumers, and where the future of the industry as a whole is heading.
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Audrey Burkhardt | Product Manager of Resiliency and Energy Storage, Portland General Electric Link to bio |
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Mohammad Bozchalui | Director of Product Line Management, Energy Storage Solutions and SBU Marketing, Enphase Energy Link to bio |
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Sean LaFreniere | Senior Lead Consultant, Project Management, Power & Energy Business Line, WSP Link to bio |
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Moderator: Charlie Vartanian | Sr. Technical Advisor in Storage Reliability and Integration, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Link to bio |
3:30-4:00pm: Break
4:00-5:00pm: SESSION: Workforce Development in the Solar Industry
A discussion on the labor force growth demand going up including a need for skilled electricians, apprenticeships, educational programs and more.
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Kaitlin Borstelmann | Vice President, Washington Solar Energy Industries Association; Manager, CED Greentech Link to bio |
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Marissa Johnson | Executive Director, Twende Solar Link to bio |
5:00-6:00pm: Reception (for in-person attendees only); Remote Networking Session (via Zoom; for remote attendees)
Recordings of the sessions were made available to all in-person and remote registrants of the 2021 Washington State Solar Summit. If you were unable to attend the 2021 Solar Summit and would like more information about the recordings, contact [email protected].
Exhibitors
The following companies had a presence in the exhibition area during the 2021 Washington State Solar Summit.
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Special thanks to the 2021 Washington State Solar Summit Sponsors!
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsor
Breakfast Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Reception Sponsor
Solar Washington wishes to acknowledge the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program and Roof Tech for its additional support for the 2021 Washington State Solar Summit.
Conference Supporters included American Solar Energy Society, Northwest Energy Coalition, Olympia Community Solar, Renewable Northwest and Washington Solar Energy Industries Association.