The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is holding its annual Smart Energy Week at the end of this month, on September 28th and 29th. Due to COVID-19, the event will be held entirely online, making it even more accessible to solar pros all over the country.
This conference is one of the best opportunities for those working in the solar industry to learn about new trends and innovations, make key partnerships, and pave the way for future growth.
Representatives
from the National Wildlife Federation, Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA),
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and other high-profile organizations will be
making presentations on a variety of topics, from solar policy to
electrification. Below, we’ll give a quick rundown of what you can expect to
see covered during the event.
Solar
Market Insights
Opening the event is a lengthy discussion of insights into the Q3 market. Analysts from Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables will lay out their observations, and predictions for the time ahead. Another session will evaluate manufacturing trends, and how shifting to a circular economy can boost the health of the industry overall.
There will be an on-demand presentation available that focuses
on the trends arising in utility-scale solar, from technology to cost. This
session will review how the data forecasts a major industry expansion in the
years to come.
Grid
Integration & Electrification
A number of
presentations will be tackling the hurdles of electrifying the energy grid on
both the macro and micro levels. Experts will assess what it’s going to take to
go carbon-free and meet specific state goals by set deadlines. Advocacy,
policymaker support, distribution planning, and other measures of acceleration
are brought up as hot topics throughout the conference.
Battery
Storage
Several events during Smart Energy Week will take a special look at leveraging battery storage solutions. From appraising long-duration storage planning to case studies of real utility storage projects, experts will explore the best ways to expand storage capacity across the country.
There will also be
an on-demand session discussing how code changes are impacting energy storage
installations, and what new factors contractors will need to account for to
ensure that their installation projects meet no delays or disruptions.
Rooftop
Solar
Expanding rooftop solar is a major factor in the spread of solar, and thus gets special attention in a few sessions. The Lawrence Berkely Laboratory will be presenting on the income and demographic trends of residential customers, and proposing strategies for how to achieve more equitable access to solar across the general population.
A subject also
being tackled is the need for solar contractors to market to low-income
households. Even with new financing programs and support making it easier for
these homes to go solar, they are less likely to convert simply because they
are not receiving as many quotes as higher-income customers. This is proving to
be a significant barrier in the expansion of residential solar.
Boost Your
Solar Business
Participating in SEIA’s Smart Energy Week is a great way to spark growth for your company. You can register for free.
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