2018 D.C. Solar Congress
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2018 D.C. Solar Congress!
Nearly 100 solar supporters from around the District joined us on Saturday, April 14 for the 5th Annual D.C. Solar Congress. The free event brought together longtime solar advocates, solar homeowners, and newcomers just finding out about solar in the District for a full day of learning, sharing, and discussion about the present and future of solar power in D.C. You can read more about the event in our wrap-up blog post.
The 2018 D.C. Solar Congress is hosted by Solar United Neighbors of D.C., in collaboration with our partners at the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law, Solar Solution DC LLC, Green Brilliance, and the Energy Democracy Book Tour.
AGENDA
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Doors open, registration (coffee & breakfast provided)
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Opening Remarks – Overview of the state of solar in D.C.
– Yesenia Rivera, Solar United Neighbors of D.C.
10:40 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Presentations – Session 1:
1. Solar 101 Information Session
Learn how solar works for a residential home from the equipment, how it connects to your roof, warranties, incentives, and financing options.
– Ian Reichardt and Vincent Jerkovich, Solar United Neighbors
2. Solar Energy, Equity, and Health
Solar power brings economic benefits to those who can participate but it does so much more. Find out why solar equity is important and how communities broadly benefit from its expansion.
Panel Discussion:
– Denise Fairchild, Emerald Cities Collaborative
– Edward Yim, DC Department of Energy & Environment
– Yinka N. Bode-George, Maryland Environmental Health Network
– Ron Bethea from the Positive Change Purchasing Co-op
– Moderated by: Yesenia Rivera, Solar United Neighbors of D.C.
11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Presentations – Session 2:
1. Solar For All: How we got here and what’s next
The District has an ambitious plan to reduce low-to-moderate income residents’ cost of energy across the city and make solar accessible to everyone. Find out what’s happening and what’s on the horizon.
Panel Discussion:
– Nora Hawkins, DC Department of Energy & Environment
– Jacqueline Brown, 51st State Solar Co-op participant
2. Battery storage for residential homes
Heard all the hype about battery storage? Come learn about the equipment, economics of it, and how it really works for a residential home.
– Sam Polino & Emma Rodvien, Solar United Neighbors
Download the handout from the presentation
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch, informal networking
Lunchtime brownbag session on Electric Vehicles at 1:00 p.m.
Download the handout from the presentation
1:40 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Presentations – Session 3:
1. Solar For All: Stories from the frontlines
The District has an ambitious plan to reduce low-to-moderate income residents’ cost of energy across the city and make solar accessible to everyone. Hear from organizations on the frontlines, making it happen.
Panel Discussion:
– Dant’e King, Groundswell
– Genevieve Fugere Hulick, New Partners Community Solar Corp.
– Laura Vendetta, Grid Alternatives
– Moderated by: Corey Ramsden, Solar United Neighbors
2. Grid modernization for the District
The city’s grid is undergoing a transformation before our eyes with expanding solar generation, increased energy efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure, and more. Where’s all this headed?
– Larry Martin, GRID 2.0
– Edward Yim, DC Department of Energy & Environment
– Jorge Camacho, the Coalition for a Resilient DC
2:40 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Participatory Open Forum Discussion
Open discussion on the future of solar in D.C., including opportunities to get involved with helping to grow the solar movement across the District.
– Moderated by: Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors