Educational Day
Emerging Leaders Program
31 March 2026 | San Diego
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Registration & welcome coffee
Edwin Koot
Solarplaza
Elise Hoffmann
Session 1
This session introduces the solar value chain and clarifies where asset management sits within it, from development through operations and optimization. It provides a concise overview of electricity markets, covering the fundamentals of supply, demand, and pricing. Participants will also examine how evolving market dynamics directly influence asset management priorities and decision-making.
Mark Culpepper
Enfinity Global
This session demystifies technical, financial, and contractual due diligence for PV and BESS projects, highlighting the most common red flags investors and asset owners should watch for. Participants will explore how due diligence outcomes directly influence long-term asset management and value-creation strategies. The session concludes with a hands-on mini-exercise, guiding attendees through a simplified due diligence checklist to translate theory into practice.
Jon Previtali
VDE Americas
Coffee break
Session 2
This session provides a practical overview of PV plant design and its critical components, building a foundation for effective operational oversight. It explains key performance metrics, such as PR, availability, and degradation, and how they are used to assess asset health. The discussion also addresses common operational challenges, maintenance strategies, and essential health and safety considerations for asset managers.
Karo Fernandez
Solar Energy International
Participants analyze a sample performance report and work through root cause identification.
Karo Fernandez
Solar Energy International
Lunch break
This session explores best practices in day-to-day O&M, focusing on effective service provider management through SLAs, KPIs, and performance reporting. Participants will compare preventive and corrective maintenance approaches, learn how monitoring platforms and data inform operational decisions, and discuss strategies for managing warranties, spares, and environmental and social considerations. The session concludes with an interactive group discussion on real-world O&M challenges and practical solutions.
Coffee break
This session explains how hybrid PV and BESS systems are structured and operated, with a focus on the practical implications for asset managers. It addresses key technical and operational challenges, including warranties, degradation, safety, dispatch strategies, and additional commercial considerations such as merchant risk, revenue stacking, and compliance. Through real-world case study demonstrations, participants will gain practical insights into effectively overseeing and optimizing hybrid portfolios.
Jason Raymond
Sunraycer
Give & get: Interactive mentorship and key takeaways
Emerging leader networking drinks
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Anna Hryhoriak
Senior Events Manager
For questions about the program and content of the event:
[email protected]
José Miguel Polanco
Business Developer
For questions regarding partnership opportunities:
[email protected]
Domenica Rodà
Senior Project Coordinator
For practical questions regarding our activities:
[email protected]