Solarplaza Summit | Asset Management North America

Wednesday 12 April 2023

Pre-conference Site Visit

Unique opportunity to explore the headquarters of one of the leaders in the solar energy, SOLV Energy. Experience the Operations Control Center, and learn about their sustainable projects and commitment to better Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workspace and much more. Build solid business connections during the interactive sessions and networking happy hour.

Thursday 13 April 2023

Program Day 1

08:00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

60 min.

Session Topics:
09:00

Welcome Remarks by the Chairperson

presentation

15 min.

Lisette Buist

Solarplaza

Session Topics:

SESSION 1

Perspective and Outlook for a Dynamic Solar Landscape

09:15

The Big Picture: The State of Climate Change and Climate Tech

presentation

30 min.

Energy futurist Ramez Naam was one of the first to forecast the decline in the cost of technologies like solar and batteries. Now he gives us the big picture on the state of climate tech globally, and what it means for the solar industry.

Ramez Naam

Planetary VC

Session Topics:
  • Where we are in addressing climate change
  • The $100 Trillion+ yet to be spent on climate technologies
  • The 4 main drivers of climate tech adoption
  • Innovations in new technologies that can aid solar developers and asset managers
09:45

Solar Market Outlook - Key Facts & Figures

presentation

30 min.

Leila Garcia da Fonseca

Wood Mackenzie

Session Topics:
  • Reviewing North America’s operational solar capacity
  • Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on solar’s future in North America
  • Preliminary analysis of 2023 growth and development forecasts
  • Trends in technology deployment and O&M
     
10:15

Surfing the Wave of Solar Growth and Market Dynamics

panel

45 min.

moderator

Melissa Stark

Accenture

Zoe Berkery

CleanCapital

Brian Hayes

EDP Renewables

David Hochschild

California Energy Commission

Darrin Russell

EDF Renewables North America

Session Topics:
  • Managing and operating solar assets under new circumstances
  • Reviewing the opportunities and challenges related to the Inflation and Reduction Act
  • Taking advantage of hybrid opportunities
  • Bottlenecks in developing and connecting the US project pipeline of 1 TW renewable power
11:00

Networking Break

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Session Topics:
11:00

Workforce Development Strategies

45 min.

Think Tank Session - Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

This interactive session is designed for you to brainstorm in small groups and create best strategies to tackle some of the most pressing topics in the solar industry.

Alison Adams

SOLV Energy

ShaLonda Dwight

SOLV Energy

Linda Drews

SOLV Energy

Session Topics:

How to navigate labour shortage in a fast-growing industry?  

SESSION 2A - Asset Management

Reinforcing the Foundation of Solar

11:45

Managing Solar Assets in the IRA Era

panel

45 min.

moderator

Alex Kaplan

S&P Global

Will Troppe

Power Factors

Manish Nayar

OYA Renewables

Jaime Carlson

SB Energy (USA)

Alison Engelhardt

U.S. Bank

Session Topics:
  • Update on the IRA implementation guidelines
  • (Bonus) opportunities for solar deployment
  • The IRA's support of new technologies
12:30

Tax Equity in the IRA Era

panel

45 min.

moderator

Hilary Lefko

Norton Rose Fulbright

Gary Durden

CohnReznick Capital

William Lee

Reunion

Kristine Sinclair

DNV

Session Topics:
  • Tax credit extensions and bonuses: Implications for solar financing, development and management
  • Transferability of tax credits: a potential solution to the short supply of traditional third-party tax equity
  • When ITC versus PTC makes sense
  • Interplay between PTC on solar and ITC on co-located storage

SESSION 2B - O&M

Reinforcing the Foundation of Solar

11:45

Operating & Maintaining Assets in the IRA Era

panel

45 min.

moderator

Gregory Shambo

Borrego

Reegan Moen

SOLV Energy

Chioma Enechukwu

Madison Energy Investments

Erin Kivlehan

Clenera

Jared Kirk

Cypress Creek Solutions

Session Topics:
  • IRA’s impact on O&M contracts
  • Changing operations commitments on PTC funded assets
  • Effects of the IRA’s prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements
12:30

Diversifying the O&M and AM Workforce

panel

45 min.

moderator

Amanda Bybee

Amicus O&M Cooperative

Cynthia Finley

IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council)

Sean Bucher

BayWa r.e. Operation Services

Anna Bautista

GRID Alternatives

Kamecia Mason

McCarthy Building Companies

Session Topics:
  • How to recruit in new communities
  • Hiring for aptitude vs. experience
  • Where apprenticeships fit into this picture
  • How to support candidates from diverse backgrounds once they’re hired
13:15

Lunch Break

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Session Topics:
13:15

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

45 min.

Think Tank Session -Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

This interactive session is designed for you to brainstorm in small groups and create best strategies to tackle some of the most pressing topics in the solar industry.

moderator

Tandalea Mercer

Nextracker

Rodlann Washington

U.S. Bank

Session Topics:

How to boost the inclusion of women, veterans, people of colour and the LGBTQ+ community in the solar industry? 

SESSION 3A - Asset Management

Capitalizing on Growth Opportunities

14:30

Storage Asset Management

panel

45 min.

moderator

Felix Chow-Kambitsch

Aurora Energy Research

Sara Kayal

Lightsource bp

Robin Gray

Soltage, LLC

Gigio Sakota

Avantus

Michael Bohan

Tenaska Power Services

Session Topics:
  • Implications of the different storage business models on managing storage assets
  • Challenges in merchant projects vs PPA projects
  • Dealing with uncertainties in battery pricing and supply chains
  • Budgeting and financing for high augmentation costs and contingency during the full project life cycle
15:15

Harvesting the Double Yields of Agrivoltaics

panel

45 min.

moderator

Shannon Scarbrough

Greenbacker Capital

Nick de Vries

Silicon Ranch

Iain Ward

Solar Agricultural Services

Lucy Bullock-Sieger

Lightstar Renewables

Session Topics:
  • The dual-use case for solar and agricultural development
  • Solar grazing and ‘made in the shade’ crops
  • How to involve farmers: what’s in it for them?
     

SESSION 3B - O&M

Capitalizing on Growth Opportunities

14:30

Optimizing O&M Through Automation and Digitalization

panel

45 min.

moderator

Leila Garcia da Fonseca

Wood Mackenzie

Brad Johnson

Bazefield

Sally Starnes

Invenergy Services

Nikhil Vadhavkar

Raptor Maps, Inc.

Session Topics:
  • AI and data mining: How smart can we get? 
  • The use of data in prioritizing O&M decisions
  • O&M solutions of the future
  • The role and future development of robotics
15:15

Optimizing Storage System Performance With Proper O&M Processes

panel

45 min.

moderator

Hugo Lapie

Prescinto

Bill Reaugh

VDE Americas

Chase Warr

Arevon Energy

Session Topics:
  • What’s needed to move to consolidation in OEM and O&M supplier contracts
  • Safeguarding O&M performance guarantees
  • Maintaining equipment warranties
  • Emergency response plans and how to maintain them
16:00

Networking Break

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Session Topics:
16:00

Sustainability & Circularity

45 min.

Think Tank Session - Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

This interactive session is designed for you to brainstorm in small groups and create best strategies to tackle some of the most pressing topics in the solar industry.

Jesse Simons

SOLARCYCLE

Michael Parr

Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance

Session Topics:

How to transform the solar industry into a truly sustainable and low carbon emitting industry, with responsible end-of-life management; fostering a circular solar economy?

SESSION 4

Initiatives Towards a Firm Fundament

16:45

Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

presentation

15 min.

Short recap of the key insights from today's Think Tank Sessions

Lisette Buist

Solarplaza

Session Topics:
  • Workforce Development Strategies
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
17:00

Roadmap for a Sustainable Domestic Supply Chain and Workforce

panel

40 min.

moderator

Sylvia Leyva Martinez

Wood Mackenzie

Deepak Gupta

Nextracker

Michael Webb

Clenera

Matt Murphy

Greenbacker Capital

Kelly Weger

Q CELLS

Session Topics:
  • Perspectives on the future
  • Timeline for onshoring a manufacturing supply chain of clean technology
  • Ensuring quality along the way
  • Opportunities and challenges related to workforce development
     
17:45

Networking Drinks

Session Topics:
19:00

Networking Event

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Add on / Networking pass Activity

Session Topics:

Friday 14 April 2023

Program Day 2

07:30

Early Bird (Sport) Activities

90 min.

Add on / Networking pass Activity

Session Topics:
09:00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

presentation

30 min.

Session Topics:
09:30

Welcome Remarks by the Chairperson

presentation

10 min.

Lisette Buist

Solarplaza

Session Topics:
  • Short recap of the key insights from Think Tank Session on Sustainability & Circularity

SESSION 5

Re-evaluating Revenue Strategies to Solidify Yield

09:40

Futureproofing Revenue Strategies

presentation

20 min.

Leigh Zanone

Avantus

Session Topics:
  • Future of fully merchant-based PV projects
  • The latest trends in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
  • Ramping up energy storage
     
10:00

Effectively Tackling Solar Asset Underperformance

panel

45 min.

moderator

Jason Kaminsky

kWh Analytics

Lynsey Tibbs

Silicon Ranch

Michael Eyman

Origis Services

Anna Waters

Omnidian

Session Topics:
  • Identifying the main causes of solar asset underperformance 
  • Action plans to deal with underperforming assets
  • Key trends in PV plant performance modeling
     
10:45

Networking Coffee Break

Session Topics:
10:45

Stakeholder Engagement

45 min.

Think Tank Session - Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

This interactive session is designed for you to brainstorm in small groups and create best strategies to tackle some of the most pressing topics in the solar industry.

moderator

Kristine Sinclair

DNV

Session Topics:

How to engage with and generate buy-in of critical stakeholders who are essential to drive the solar deployment process forward

SESSION 6A - Asset Management

Solutions and Strategies to Mitigate Asset Risk

11:30

Fortifying Cyber Security

panel

45 min.

moderator

Jamie Lynn Bussin

DeNexus

Keith Rose

Operant Networks

John Franzino

GridSME

Loggan Purpura

SOLV Energy

Session Topics:
  • NERC CIP standards
  • Learnings from earlier incidents with grid vulnerability
  • What to do when your asset is under digital attack
12:15

The Future of Solar Insurance

panel

45 min.

moderator

Sam Jensen

STANCE: Renewable Risk Partners

Isaac McLean

kWh Analytics

Sara Kane

CAC Specialty

Mauricio Paredes

U.S. Department of Energy

Session Topics:
  • Key indicators for good and bad insurance contracts
  • The change towards data-driven underwriting and insuring 
  • Valuing risk mitigating AM practices into insurance pricing
     

SESSION 6B - O&M

Solutions and Strategies to Mitigate Asset Risk

11:30

Mitigating Extreme Weather Risks

panel

45 min.

moderator

John Sedgwick

VDE Americas

Kristen Wagner

Clean Power Research

Nicole Thompson

kWh Analytics

Kevin Christy

Lightsource bp

Session Topics:
  • Fighting impact of extreme weather events with preventative measures
  • Strategies preventing hail incidents
  • Trends in durable equipment
  • Role of data in understanding your exposure and in quantifying impacts and risks
12:15

Vegetation Management: Cut to the Chase

panel

45 min.

moderator

Cedric Brehaut

Omnidian

Jeremy McKellep

Canadian Solar

Angela Burke

Pivot Energy

Nathan Wojcik

SWCA

Session Topics:
  • O&M costs and strategies: low-tech and high-tech ways to optimize results
  • CapEx vs. OpEx: investing upfront to reduce vegetation management costs
  • The role of vegetation management in wildfire and flood prevention.
  • Beyond vegetation management: what is land stewardship?
13:00

Lunch Break

Session Topics:
13:00

Assembling Your Spare Part Supply Chain Strategy

45 min.

Think Tank Session - Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

This interactive session is designed for you to brainstorm in small groups and create best strategies to tackle some of the most pressing topics in the solar industry.

Sylvia Leyva Martinez

Wood Mackenzie

Jeff Wang

Stäubli

Session Topics:

How to manage material shortages and supply chain delays in maintaining and operating solar assets? 

SESSION 7A - Asset Management

Futureproofing Solar Asset Management Strategies

14:15

Asset Sales, M&A, and Refinancing Opportunities

panel

45 min.

moderator

John Gottshall

Thomson Reuters

Bailey Plummer

Greenbacker Capital

Samuel Van Dam

Wells Fargo

Gary Durden

CohnReznick Capital

Session Topics:
  • Selling down positions in investments post PTC/ITC benefits
  • Refinancing deals with lower cost debt post acquiring solar assets
  • Key learnings for refinancing projects

SESSION 7B - O&M

Futureproofing Solar Asset Management Strategies

14:15

Repowering Damaged or Ageing Assets

panel

45 min.

moderator

Ian Steele

DEPCOM Power

Auston Taber

Solar Support

Jason Cannon

Southern Company

Session Topics:
  • My asset is reaching end-of-life: What’s next?
  • Dealing with repairs outside of warranty
  • Translating component repowering into feasible business models
  • Lessons learned from use cases
     
15:00

Short Break

Session Topics:

SESSION 8

The New Solar Future Ahead

15:15

Turning Key Challenges into Key Opportunities

presentation

15 min.

Short recap of the key insights from today's Think Tank Sessions

Lisette Buist

Solarplaza

Session Topics:
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Assembling Your Spare Part Supply Chain Strategy
15:30

Game-changers That Will Shape the Future of the US Solar Industry

panel

45 min.

moderator

Rob Andrews

Heliolytics

Christopher Wienbeck

5B

Michael Bolen

SB Energy (USA)

Deise Yumi Asami

AES

Session Topics:
  • Groundbreaking technologies and innovations that will drive the industry
  • Expectations for AM and O&M evolution in the coming years
16:15

Closing Remarks by the Chairperson

15 min.

Lisette Buist

Solarplaza

Session Topics:
16:30

Closing Networking Drinks

Session Topics:

Need any help?

We got you. Send out an email to our team and we are here to help.

Frannie Flinterman
Project Manager

For questions about the program and content of the event:

[email protected]
Ward Schuuring
Business Developer

For questions regarding partnership opportunities:

[email protected]
Sabine Dhevaraj
Project Coordinator

For practical questions regarding our activities:

[email protected]