Solarplaza Summit | Asset Management Texas

Wednesday 15 November 2023

19:00

Pre-Conference Networking Event

The Networking Event will take place in Pelons Tex-Mex Restaurant

Thursday 16 November 2023

Program


08:30

Welcome Coffee

15 min.

Session Topics:
08:45

Welcome Remarks by Solarplaza and the Chairperson

presentation

15 min.

Amanda Bybee

Amicus O&M Cooperative

Session Topics:
  • Purpose and objectives
  • Themes and program
  • Your interactive involvement in the event
  • Practicalities and house rules
     

Session 1

Texas Landscape

09:00

Overview of The Texan Solar Market - What is New?

20 min.

Martin Anderson

Aurora Energy Research

Session Topics:
  • Update on installed PV capacity base and growth forecasts
  • Evolution of the industry after 2023
  • General market outlook
     
09:20

Navigating Curtailment, Grid Connection, and Weatherization for Efficient Energy Infrastructure

presentation

30 min.

David Kezell

ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas)

Session Topics:
  • Feeding the right amount of power into the grid
  • Issues arising from grid disruption
  • Optimizing your energy storage system
     
09:50

Exploring Opportunities and Challenges in the Texas Solar Sector: Embracing Solar Development and Diversifying Power Sources

panel

40 min.

moderator

Eric Wright

S&P Global

Michael Enger

Austin Energy

Caitlin Smith

Jupiter Power

Scott Macmurdo

Duke Energy

Session Topics:
  • The viability and compatibility of domestic solar manufacturing (supported by IRA incentives)
  • Diversifying our power sources for a more reliable energy supply - Hybridization and weatherization
  • Solar, wind, and energy storage - what's needed to make it work together?
  • Solar development in diverse landscapes
     
10:30

Morning Networking Break

Session Topics:

Session 2

Optimizing Returns On Your Solar Assets

11:30

Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act: the Latest in Texas Regulations, Financial Incentives & Tax Credits

panel

40 min.

Hilary Lefko

Norton Rose Fulbright

Jaime Carlson

SB Energy (USA)

Cory Magnuson

Spearmint Energy

Session Topics:
  • Update on the regulations and financial incentives in Texas
  • Laying out the different financing options for your solar project - ITC vs. PTC
  • Solar and storage asset evolution in the IRA era
12:10

Ensuring Optimal Performance of Solar Assets: Overcoming Key Performance Concerns in the Texan Solar Landscape

panel

40 min.

Jeff Wang

Stäubli

Douglas Young

Department of Energy

Session Topics:
  • The biggest performance issues in the Texan solar landscape
  • Challenges unique and specific to the Texan context
     
12:50

Sharing O&M Best Practices through Case Studies

presentation

25 min.

This session will consist of two short presentations, one lasting 15 minutes and the other 10 minutes. 

Keith Rose

Operant Networks

Session Topics:
13:15

Lunch Networking Break

Session Topics:

Session 3

How O&M Practices Must Adapt to an Unstable Energy Grid

14:20

Texan Challenges and O&M best practices

panel

40 min.

moderator

Alison Adams

SOLV Energy

Josh Corbitt

Origis Services

Session Topics:
  • Automation: Maximizing the impact of digitization in O&M
  • Utilizing data mining, AI and robotics to future-proof your solar assets
  • Weather forecasting: How to prevent and mitigate risks and additional costs (hail case study)
  • Taking vegetation management and biodiversity conservation into account for sustainable solar development
     
15:00

Addressing Skilled Labor Shortages and Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Solar Industry

panel

30 min.

moderator

Amanda Bybee

Amicus O&M Cooperative

Janell Hills

IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council)

Session Topics:
  • The IRA’s impact on labor force development
  • Key success factors for an diverse, equitable, and inclusive solar industry
     
15:30

Afternoon Networking Break

Session Topics:

Session 4

Future-proofing Your Solar Assets

16:15

Current Developments in Solar Insurance

presentation

25 min.

Session Topics:
  • Difference in solar insurances between national and state level
  • The key components of ideal insurance contracts
  • Solar insurance in the IRA era
     
16:40

Sustainable Strategies: Future-proofing Texan Solar Assets Across All Lifecycle Stages

panel

40 min.

moderator

Ornella Nicolacci

CEBA

Lauryn Bush

Ørsted

Hesston Klenk

The AES Corporation

Session Topics:
  • Squeezing the most out of aging assets
  • Fostering a circular solar value chain
     
17:20

Networking Drinks

Session Topics:

Need any help?

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

Nicola Belafatti
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]