FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 4, 2023

ATLANTA -- After 10 consecutive years of bringing the Georgia solar industry together for one day of networking, education, and collaboration to make Georgia a better place to do business for solar, the Georgia Solar Energy Association annual Solar Summit took a hiatus in 2019, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the Georgia Solar Summit is back for 2023, on October 10th, at the Georgia Tech Kendeda Building. 

It seems there has been a lot of pent-up demand since our last Solar Summit because this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. Whether it be the great lineup of speakers, incredible sponsors, all-day and all-inclusive catering, or the beautiful setting of the Kendeda Building, this year’s event will be second to none.  Here is what you can expect at this year’s event. > See Event Itinerary Here

Bill Nussey, Morning Keynote Speaker, 9:00 am; Sponsor: PV Heating & Air

Don’t miss our featured keynote speaker, Bill Nussey, give an inspiring, forward-thinking vision of how the solar industry will look 3, 5, and 10 years from now. This is an opportunity to learn from a premier clean energy thought leader. Bill Nussey, author of Freeing Energy, a podcast by the same name, and partner at venture firms Engage and Tech Square Ventures, will help guide you from where distributed energy technologies are now to how they will become a key part of our clean energy future. Doors open at 8:30 so get there early and get ready. Coffee, juice, and breakfast snacks will be served.  

REGISTER FOR SOLAR SUMMIT HERE

Georgia Solar Policy, 9:45 am – 11:00 am; Sponsor: GaSEIA; Panel Flyer

We have assembled some of the most impactful lawmakers and policy experts in Georgia to give a preview of next year’s legislative session and what’s next at the Public Service Commission. The Georgia Solar Policy panel discussion includes frontline policy influencers Representative Mandisha Thomas, Senator Ed Setzler, Representative Joseph Gullet, PSC Commissioner Tim Echols, and SELC Staff Atty Bob Sherrier. Topics of discussion will include active bills SB 210, HB 73, and HB 355; Georgia Power mini-IRP and RFI; and other important policy information that you will not get anywhere else. 

Solar and Equity, 11:15 am – 12:30 pm; Sponsor: Keep Echols PSC; Panel Flyer

Clean energy leader and the primary sponsor for this year’s event, Regents' and Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems in the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy, Dr. Marilyn Brown has assembled an all-female, all-star research and solar advocacy panel to discuss the important role that solar energy plays in the quest for a fair and equitable transition. Next, Carys Behnke, ORISE Science & Technology Policy Fellow at U.S. Department of Energy, will review her research from her graduate thesis at Georgia State University on rooftop solar uptake in the City of Atlanta, which concludes that the uptake of rooftop solar in Black neighborhoods in Atlanta is not a depiction of equity, but a display of ongoing gentrification and the pushing out of Atlanta’s black population overall. Lastly, Laura Taylor, Interim Director of the Energy, Policy, and Innovation Center at Georgia Tech will lead an in-depth discussion about the utility-scale solar, land values, and the impact of solar on land values and vice versa. The transition to a clean energy future will only happen once and it is incumbent upon all of us in this space to ensure the transition is inclusive and that the benefits go to the whole rather than the few. This is your chance to engage in that effort.   

Lunch and Keynote Lunch Speaker, 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm; Sponsor: Mokun Solar Technology

During the lunch break, we will hear from special guest and keynote speaker, Charles Hua, a Policy Analyst at Rewiring America. We’ve all heard about the Inflation Reduction Act but now we will hear from one of the policy experts that helped shape the IRA and get it across the finish line. Charles will discuss what residential building electrification is, why people should care, and what opportunities lie ahead. He will plan to dive more into the $9 billion Home Energy Rebates Program through the Inflation Reduction Act, a transformative investment opportunity to modernize the way we heat and cool our homes through electrification and efficiency measures, including heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, EVs, and rooftop solar. Charles will also dive into policies, programs, and practices that can support an equitable building electrification movement.

Electrify Everything Panel, 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm; Sponsor: Cobb EMC; Panel Flyer

Go beyond just generation in your business, gain insight on opportunities to vertically integrate end use services to address increasing consumer demand in electrification.  We have a panel packed with industry leaders in the building, real estate, and HVAC space who not only work daily with consumers wanting to electrify, they’ve electrified their own homes. Policy expert, Charles Hua with Rewiring America and Jennette Gayer with Environment Georgia join in a fireside chat with Realtor and Coldwell Banker Associate Broker, Christopher Matos-Rogers, Southface EarthCraft Program Manager, Amelia Godfrey, and Owner of PV Heating & Air, Jason Peavey to share what their orgs are doing and experiencing locally and nationally. Leave with the why, the challenges, and the opportunities the solar industry can play in implementation.

Federal Policy Panel, 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm; Sponsor: E2 Environmental Entrepreneurs; Panel Flyer

Federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law make historic investments in clean energy and clean transportation, but what does that mean for Georgia? With panelists including GEFA Director, Energy Resources Kristofor Anderson, EPD Environmental Engineer, Claudette Ayanaba, ARC Climate & Resilience Manager, Jon Philipsborn, Hanwha QCells Director, Strategy & Market, Scott Moskowitz, and Armagh Capital Managing Partner, Representative Jon Carson, our federal policy panel will explore the impact these policies have had on manufacturing in Georgia, identify beneficial tax credits and highlight two upcoming grant opportunities that could help the solar industry and solar enthusiasts.

Reception, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Stick around a little longer for the post-Summit reception, included with admission, where you can let your hair down and loosen your tie. This is all about taking some time to network with fellow attendees, enjoy adult (and non-adult) libations, and snack on an expertly crafted assortment of hors d'oeuvres.

REGISTER FOR SOLAR SUMMIT HERE

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