Southern Solar Summit Atlanta - Panel Descriptions
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Solar Thermal Hot Water
An update from leaders in the world of solar thermal hot water. A look at pricing, efficiency and applications. Among discussion items: why larger systems are becoming more common.
Panelists:
Tom Lane, President, ECS Solar Energy Systems
Billy Byron, Managing Director, AET Solar
Dan Gretsch, P.E., Vice President, Solar H2Ot
Jake Morgan, Manager of Alternative Energy and Business Continuity, Cox Enterprises
Moderator:
To be announced
Solar & Utilities, Smart Grid
A discussion with southern utility executives on the role of solar in their energy portfolios. Among the discussion items are: utility solar programs, interconnection policies and utility scale solar projects.
Panelists:
Ervan Hancock, Manager, Renewables and Green Strategies, Georgia Power
Michael Whiteside, President, Green Power EMC
Ken Caird, Transmission & Distribution - Systems Engineer, General Electric
Moderator:
Walter Brown, Chairman, Georgia Solar Energy Association; Sr Vice President of Development and Environmental Affairs, Green Street Properties
Solar Photovoltaics
An update from some of the great industry players. What’s happening in the world of photovoltaics. Will prices continue to drop and efficiencies increase. What can we expect from technology.
Panelists:
Kurt Johnson, Business Development Manager, Utilities and Power Plants, SunPower Corporation
John Megna, Senior Sales Manager, SMA America, Inc.
Bob Ready, Director, Solar Energy Division, Florida Solar Energy Center
Moderator:
Ajeet Rohatgi, Ph.D, Founder, CTO, Suniva
Government Solar Policy
A snapshot of solar programs in municipal government in the south east and around the country, including the south’s only solar city, Knoxville, Tennessee. Among the discussion items are: solar in municipal, state, and federal programs including Cool Cities initiatives.
Panelists:
Erin Burns, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Knoxville
Steve Kalland, Executive Director, North Carolina Solar Center
J. David Dunagan, Renewable Energy Program Manager, GA Environmental Facilities Authority
Chris Lau, Green Power Project Manager, World Resources Institute
Moderator:
Mandy Mahoney, Director of Sustainability, City of Atlanta
Solar Training, Green Career
A discussion about green careers and the education and training that support the transition from traditional to green jobs. Among the discussion items are: finding what’s right for you, available education and training, and making sense of certifications such as NABCEP, LEED AP and PMP.
Panelists:
Kelly Provence, Solar PV/Thermal Trainer, Solairgen
William Silva, Solar Training Coordinator, Lanier Tech; NABCEP certified PV Installer; Director of Operations, United Renewable Energy, LLC
Dell Jones, Board Member, NABCEP; VP Renewable Project Development, Regenesis Power, LLC
Moderator:
Allen Bradley, Attorney, Stites & Harbeson PLLC
Solar Economics
Making solar work economically for business, commercial, residential and utility scale project in the south east. Among the discussion items are: solar return on investment, system costs, rebates, incentives and grants.
Panelists:
Lee Peterson, Tax Attorney, Reznick Group
Ben Hill, Enterprise Innovation Institute and Adjunct Professor, Georgia Tech
Ivan Urlaub, MEM, MPP, Executive Director, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
John Bergwell, Director of Project Finance, Chevron Energy Solutions
Moderator:
Katie Kirkpatrick, P.E., Vice President Environmental Affairs, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Solar & Architecture, Built Environment
Incorporating solar in to the built environment. Among discussion items are: solar ready buildings, LEED projects which incorporate solar and the Architecture 2030 program.
Panelists:
Mike Barcik, Director of Technical Services, Southface
T. Russell Gentry, Ph.D., PE, Associate Professor, Architecture Program, Georgia Tech
Dan Gerding, Managing Principal, Gerding Collaborative
Moderator:
Vikram Sami, Senior Building Performance Analyst, Lord Aeck Sargent; Solar Buildings Division Chair, American Solar Energy Society
Solar & Georgia State Policy
A candid talk with Georgia public policy makers about public policy today and in the future. Among the discussion items are: state solar incentives, utility net metering and interconnections.
Panelists:
Doug Stoner, Senator, Georgia State Senate, (D) Smyrna
Rich Golick, Representative, Georgia House of Representatives, (R) Smyrna
Chuck Eaton, Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission
Moderator:
Jason Rooks, Principal, Clean Energy Strategies LLC
